Hittite Diplomatic Documents
Covenant formula, binding and oath and the vassal treaty
Treaty between Tudhaiiya II of Hatti and Sunashshura of Kizzuwatna
Preamble
§1 (Ai 1-4) Seal of Tudhaiiya, [Great King, King of Hatti(?)]. When with [Sunashshura(?) . . . ] They [swore] an oath to one another and concluded this treaty with one another.
Historical Introduction
"§2 (A i 5-7) Formerly, in the time of my grandfather, Kizzuwatna came into the possession of Hatti, but afterwards the land of Kizzuwatna freed itself from Hatti and turned to the land of Hurri.
§3 (A i 8-13) When the people of the land of Isuwa, [subjects] of My Majesty, [commenced] hostilities against My Majesty, I, My Majesty, went [in battle] against them. I overpowered the land of Isuwa, and [the Isuwans] fled before My Majesty. They went down into the land of Hurri. I, My Majesty, sent to the ruler of Hurri: 'Return my subjects!' But the ruler of Hurri sent back to My Majesty thus: 'No!'
§4 (A i 14-19) 'The populations of these cities had previously, in the time of my grandfather, come to the land of Hurri and settled here. And indeed they afterwards went as fugitives to Hatti. Now, finally, the cattle have chosen their stable. They have definitely come to my land.'
§5 (A i 20-24) The ruler of Hurri did not return my subjects to My Majesty, but dispatched his infantry and his chariotry. In the absence of My Majesty they plundered the land of Isuwa. They took to the land of Hurri whatever civilian captives, oxen, and sheep they captured, while I, My Majesty, remained elsewhere for battle [against] another enemy.
§6 (A i 25-29) The [ruler of] Hurri transgressed the oath, so I, My Majesty, sent as follows to the ruler of Hurri: 'If some land were to free itself from you and turn to Hatti, then how would this matter be?' The ruler of Hurri sent to me as follows: 'Exactly the same!'
§7 (A i 30-33) Now the people of the land of Kizzuwatna are Hittite cattle and have chosen their stable. They freed themselves from the ruler of Hurri and turned to My Majesty. The ruler of Hurri offended against Hatti, and he offended gravely against the land of Kizzuwatna.
§8 (A i 34-37) The land of Kizzuwatna rejoiced exceedingly over its liberation. Now Hatti and the land of Kizzuwatna are indeed freed from the oaths (to the ruler of Hurri). I, My Majesty, have now given the population of the land of Kizzuwatna its freedom."
Audience with Great King
§9 (A i 38-44) The Hurrians call Sunashshura a subject, but His Majesty has now made him a true king. Sunashshura must come before His Majesty and look upon the face of His Majesty. As soon as he comes before His Majesty, the noblemen of His Majesty <will rise> from their seats. No one will remain seated above him. As soon as <he wishes>, he may go back to the land of Kizzuwatna.
§10 (Ai 45-48) Whenever His Majesty summons him, 'Come before me!' - if he does not wish to come, whichever of his sons His Majesty designates must come before His Majesty. But he will definitely not have to pay tribute to His Majesty.
Protection and sucession
"§11 (Ai 49-54) His Majesty, the Great King, must not stir up revolt against Sunashshura nor be hostile to him. As His Majesty protects his own person and land, he must likewise protect the land and person of Sunashshura. His Majesty must protect for kingship whichever son of Sunashshura he designates as his successor.
§12 (A i 55-59) Sunashshura, the Great King, must not stir up revolt against His Majesty, nor be hostile to him. As Sunashshura protects his own land and person, he must likewise protect the person and land of His Majesty. Sunashshura must protect for kingship whichever son <of> His Majesty he designates to Sunashshura as his successor.
Defensive Alliance against external enteties
§13 (A i 60-64) If someone revolts against His Majesty, [and he captures him], His Majesty shall do as he pleases (with him). [If the enemy is in] Hatti - if [he has seized or encircled a city - as] he is His Majesty's enemy, [he must likewise be Sunashshura's].
§14 (Ai 65-ii 1) [If the Hittites] capture [this enemy, they will kill him. If] they give him [into the custody of Sunashshura, he must kill him. Sunashshura shall be at peace with Hatti. If His Majesty asks Sunashshura for help, he must restore him] to the throne. [If the Hittites do not kill that enemy or give] him [into the custody of Sunashshura so that he can kill him], Sunashshura [must conduct hostilities] against [Hatti] as far as he is able.
§15 (A ii 2-6) If someone [revolts] against Sunashshura, and he captures him, Sunashshura [shall do] as he pleases with him. If the enemy is in the land of Kizzuwatna — if he has seized or encircled a city — as he is Sunashshura's enemy, he will likewise be His Majesty's.
§16 (A ii 7-9) If the people of the land of Kizzuwatna capture this enemy, they will kill him. If they give him into the custody of His Majesty, he must kill him. His Majesty shall be at peace [with] the land of Kizzuwatna.
§17 (A ii 11-15) [If] Sunashshura asks His Majesty for help, he must restore him to the throne. If the people of [the land of] Kizzuwatna do not kill that enemy or give him into the custody of His Majesty so that he can kill him, His Majesty must conduct hostilities against the land of Kiz-zuwatna as far as he is able.
§18 (A ii 16-18) If someone, either a single man or a city, incites a revolt and begins war against His Majesty, Sunashshura must inform(?) His Majesty as soon as he hears of it.
§19 (A ii 19-21) If someone, either a single man or [a city], incites a revolt [and begins war] against Sunashshura, His Majesty must inform(?) [Sunash-shura] as soon as he hears of it.
§20 (A ii 22-23) If some other land begins war [against] His Majesty, Sunashshura must inform(?) [His Majesty] <as soon as> he hears of it.
§21 (A ii 24-25) If some other land begins war against Sunashshura, His Majesty must inform Sunashshura as soon as he hears of it.
§22 (A ii 26-28) If any city in the land of His Majesty begins war - as it is His Majesty's enemy, it will likewise be Sunashshura's - they will fight side by side.
§23 (A ii 29-30) Sunashshura will take the movable property, civilian captives, and troops of a city which he conquers. No one may challenge him.
§24 (A ii 31-33) And His Majesty will take the movable property, civilian captives, and troops of a city which he conquers. No one may challenge him. The city, however, will remain the territory of His Majesty.
§25 (A ii 34-36) And if some city in the land of Sunashshura begins war - as it is Sunashshura's enemy, it will likewise be His Majesty's - they will fight side by side.
§26 (A ii 37-38) Sunashshura will take the movable property, civilian captives, and troops of a city which he conquers. No one may challenge him.
§27 (A ii 39-41) And His Majesty will take the movable property, civilian captives, and troops of a city which he conquers. No one may challenge him. The city, however, will remain the territory of Sunashshura.
§28 (A ii 42-45) If some land begins war against His Majesty, that land is covered by Sunashshura's oath. His Majesty will request military assistance from Sunashshura, and Sunashshura must provide it to him.
§29 (A ii 46-48) If Sunashshura provides troops and says: 'Lead them out against the enemy,' His Majesty may lead them out. If he does not say this, they will remain on guard in his land.
§30 (A ii 49-50) If he leads the troops out against the enemy, the troops of His Majesty will take the civilian captives which they conquer. The troops of Sunashshura will take the civilian captives which they conquer.
§31 (A ii 52-55) If some land begins war against Sunashshura, that land is covered by His Majesty's oath. Sunashshura will request military assistance from His Majesty, and His Majesty must provide it to him.
§32 (A ii 56-58) And if His Majesty provides troops and says: 'Lead them out against the enemy,' Sunashshura may lead them out. If he does not say this, they will remain on guard in his land.
§33 (A ii 59-62) If he leads the troops out against the enemy, the troops of Sunashshura will take the civilian captives which they conquer. The troops of His Majesty will take the civilian captives which they conquer.
§34 (A ii 63-69) If a serious threat arises against His Majesty, and the enemy enters his land in force - if the land of Sunashshura is spared, you, Sunashshura, come together with your military levies to my aid. If you are busy with some matter, send your son at the head of your military levies. Come to my aid!
§35 (A iii 2-6) [It] a serious threat [arises against] Sunashshura, and the enemy comes into his land in force - if the land of My Majesty is spared. I. My Majesty, will come together with my military levies to your aid. If My Majesty is busy with some matter, I will send a high nobleman at the head of my military levies.
§36 (A iii 7-10) Whoever begins war against My Majesty will certainly also be Sunashshura's enemy. Sunashshura will certainly be my support. We shall do battle with him.
§37 (A iii 11-13) Whoever begins war against Sunashshura will certainly also be your enemy, Your Majesty. Your Majesty will be my(!) support. We shall do battle with him.
§38 (A iii 14-15) I, Sunashshura, must seek out whoever incites revolt against Your Majesty.
§39 (A iii 16-17) And you, Your Majesty, must certainly seek out whoever incites revolt against Sunashshura.
§40 (A iii 18-19) In the future Hatti must certainly not incite any evil revolt against the land of Kizzuwatna.
§41 (A iii 20-21) And in the future the land of Kizzuwatna must certainly not incite any evil revolt against Hatti.
§42 (A iii 22-24) If a Hittite hears some information concerning Sunashshura from the mouth of some enemy, he must inform(?) Sunash- shura.
§43 (A iii 25-27) And if a man of the land of Kizzuwatna hears some information concerning His Majesty from the mouth of some enemy, he must inform(?) His Majesty.
§44 (A iii 28-30) If His Majesty sends his messenger to Sunashshura, Sunashshura must not harm him in any way. He must not ensnare(?) him by means of a magical plant.
§45 (A iii 31-34) If Sunashshura <sends> either his son or his messenger before His Majesty - or if Sunashshura himself comes - His Majesty must not harm them in any way. He must not ensnare(?) them by means of a mag- ical plant.
§46 (A iii 35-36) Hatti and the land of Kizzuwatna shall be united. They must certainly maintain friendly relations with one another.
§34 (A ii 63-69) If a serious threat arises against His Majesty, and the enemy enters his land in force - if the land of Sunashshura is spared, you, Sunashshura, come together with your military levies to my aid. If you are busy with some matter, send your son at the head of your military levies. Come to my aid!
§35 (A iii 2-6) [If] a serious threat [arises against] Sunashshura, and the enemy comes into his land in force - if the land of My Majesty is spared. I. My Majesty, will come together with my military levies to your aid. If My Majesty is busy with some matter, I will send a high nobleman at the head of my military levies.
§36 (A iii 7-10) Whoever begins war against My Majesty will certainly also be Sunashshura's enemy. Sunashshura will certainly be my support. We shall do battle with him.
§37 (A iii 11-13) Whoever begins war against Sunashshura will certainly also be your enemy, Your Majesty. Your Majesty will be my(1) support. We shall do battle with him.
§38 (A iii 14-15) I, Sunashshura, must seek out whoever incites revolt against Your Majesty.
§39 (A iii 16-17) And you, Your Majesty, must certainly seek out whoever incites revolt against Sunashshura.
§40 (A iii 18-19) In the future Hatti must certainly not incite any evil revolt against the land of Kizzuwatna.
§41 (A iii 20-21) And in the future the land of Kizzuwatna must certainly not incite any evil revolt against Hatti.
§42 (A iii 22-24) If a Hittite hears some information concerning Sunashshura from the mouth of some enemy, he must inform(?) Sunash- shura.
§43 (A iii 25-27) And if a man of the land of Kizzuwatna hears some information concerning His Majesty from the mouth of some enemy, he must inform(?) His Majesty.
§44 (A iii 28-30) If His Majesty sends his messenger to Sunashshura, Sunashshura must not harm him in any way. He must not ensnare(?) him by means of a magical plant.
§45 (A iii 31-34) If Sunashshura <sends> either his son or his messenger before His Majesty - or if Sunashshura himself comes - His Majesty must not harm them in any way. He must not ensnare(?) them by means of a mag- ical plant.
§46 (A iii 35-36) Hatti and the land of Kizzuwatna shall be united. They must certainly maintain friendly relations with one another.
Alliance against the Hurrians
§47 (A iii 37-39) Furthermore: If any cities of the land of Hurri interfere in the cities of Sunashshura, we will fight side by side against the ruler of Hurri, in any of his cities.
§48 (A iii 40-44) The troops of My Majesty shall take all the civilian cap- tives which they conquer, and the troops of Sunashshura shall take all the civilian captives which they conquer. I, My Majesty, will give the territory of that city to Sunashshura I, My Majesty, will truly extend his land.
§49 (A iii 45-49) And in regard to whatever cities of the land of Hurri we defeat - I, My Majesty, will take all that I, My Majesty, desire. And II) will give to Sunashshura all that he desires. In the future the land of Kizzuwatna must not ever again turn to the land of Hurri
$50 (A iii 50-55) Furthermore: If the ruler of Hurri hears that Sunashshura has freed himself from his sphere and has turned to My Majesty - if on account of [Sunashshura] the King of Hurri prepares some diplomatic gift, for the sake of Sunashshura, I. [My Majesty], will not accept his gift.
§51 (A iii 56-59) [If] the King of Hurri renounces his claim(?) on Sunashshura, saying as follows: "The land of Kizzuwatna belongs to Your Majesty. I(I) will indeed have no illicit relations(?) [with] the land of Kiz- zuwatna," <...>
§52 (A iii 60-63) [If] the King of Hurri stipulates under oath as follows: "[Your Majesty] should prepare a diplomatic gift exchange with me, the King of Hurri," [and then] the King of Hurri does not renounce his claim (?) on Sunashshura, I. [My Majesty], will not accept his gift.
§53 (A iv 1-4) [Too fragmentary for translation.]
§54 (A iv 5-10) I will never later give back to the King of Hurri anything of the land of Hurri which was turned over to the possession of Sunash- shura - [neither] merchants nor the population of the city of Urussa. [If] afterwards the ruler of Hurri asks for them ever so politely. I, My Majesty. will not agree. The ruler of Hurri shall take an oath about this.
§55 (A iv 11-13) If this enemy of mine, of My Majesty, is indeed my enemy, then he is also your enemy, Sunashshura. This enemy must always have to fight with both of us.
Millitary Obligations
§56 (A iv 14-18) And if Sunashshura says as follows: "Were the troops of Hatti really to come to my aid, terror of them would be cast over my land! nonetheless, as much infantry and chariotry as I, My Majesty, provide to you, Sunashshura must provide to me exactly as much infantry and chari- otry.
§57 (A iv 19-24) Furthermore: When I, My Majesty, go into battle against another land- either against [the land] of Hurri or against Arzawa - Sunashshura must provide 100 teams of chariotry and 1,000 infantrymen and march in the army in the company of My Majesty. You must provide them with the travel provisions which they will get until they arrive in the presence of My Majesty.
Future Relations with Ruler of Hurri
§58 (A iv 25-31) Furthermore: We will certainly erase the tablet of the oath which had been made previously. We will indeed discard the word of the ruler of Hurri. Moreover, Sunashshura is no longer [the subject] of the ruler of Hurri. We will make another tablet. In addition, Sunashshura must not send his messenger to the ruler of Hurri, and he must not allow the messenger of the land of Hurri into his land.
Trustworthiness of Envoy
§59 (A iv 32-39) Furthermore: In regard to a tablet which I. My Majesty. send you - a tablet upon which words have been set down - and the words <of the messenger, which he speaks orally in response to you if the words of the messenger are in agreement with the words of the tablet, trust that messenger, O Sunashshura. But if the words of the speech of the messenger are not in agreement with the words of the tablet, you, Sunashshura, shall certainly not trust the messenger and shall certainly not take to heart the evil content of that report of his.
Frontiers
§60 (A iv 40-42) In the direction of the sea the city of Lamiya belongs to His Majesty and the city of Bitura belongs to Sunashshura. The border dis- trict will be surveyed and divided between them. His Majesty may not for- tify Lamiya.
§61 (A iv 43-51) The city of Aruna belongs to His Majesty. Toward Bitura the border district will be surveyed and divided between them. His Majesty shall not fortify Aruna. The city of Saliya belongs to His Majesty and the cities of Zinziluwa and Erimma belong to Sunashshura. The border district will be surveyed and divided between them. His Majesty may fortify Saliya. The city of Anamusta belongs to His Majesty and the mountain of the city of Zaparasna belongs to Sunashshura. The border district will be surveyed and divided between them, His Majesty may fortify Anamusta.
§62 (A iv 52-57) Since long ago the frontier between the two of them has been as follows: the Great King should hold that which is on the city of Turutna's side of the border, and Sunashshura should hold that which is on the land of Adaniya's side. In the direction of the city of Luwana the city of Turpina is the frontier of Sunashshura. The Great King should hold that which is on Hatti's side, and Sunashshura should hold that which is on Adaniya's side.
§63 (A iv 58-61) The city of Sirika belongs to His Majesty and the city of Luwana belongs to Sunashshura. The Samri River is its frontier. The Great King must not cross the Samri River to Adaniya's side, and Sunashshura shall not cross the Samri River to Hatti's side.
§64 (A iv 62-66) In the direction of the city of Zilapuna the Samri River is the frontier. In the direction [of... ] the Samri River is indeed the frontier of Sunashshura. Sunashshura shall not cross the Samri River to Hatti's side, and the Great King [shall] not [cross the Samri River] to [Adaniya's] side."
Defensive Alliance against Revolt
§1 (Aii 1') I.. . ] if he does [not... ] him and bring him to His Majesty.
§2 (A ii 2'-4') If he goes himself via another land to the land of Kiz-zuwatna, Sunashshura must seize him and send him back to His Majesty.
§3 (A ii 5') The provision for Sunashshura is the same. (Hittite Diplomatic Texts - sbl-writings-from-the-ancient-world, p. 42)
Defections
§4 (A ii 6'-10') But if some other land, or a city, or an army defects to His Majesty, and His Majesty writes a cordial letter for Sunashshura: That one now belongs to me. Acknowledge it," you, Sunashshura, shall not cause it to fall away. He shall keep his eyes turned to His Majesty
Fugitives
"§5 (A ii ll'-iii 5) If a fugitive from Hatti goes to [Kizzuwatna], Sunashshura shall seize him and give him back to His Majesty. But if someone hides a fugitive, and he is discovered in his house, he must pay twelve unfree persons. If he cannot come up with twelve unfree persons, he himself [must be killed]. If a slave hides a fugitive, and if his master will not make restitution on his behalf - will not pay the twelve unfree persons...
§6 (A iii 6-7) if his master does not make restitution on his behalf, he must forfeit the slave himself.
§7 (A iii 8) And the provision for Sunashshura is the same.
§8 (A iii 9-12) [If] a fugitive from Hatti goes to another [land], and from the other land goes back to Kizzuwatna, Sunashshura must seize him and [give] him back to His Majesty.
§9 (A iii 13) And the provision for Sunashshura is the same.
§10 (A iii 14-18) [If] a fugitive comes from another land, [Remainder of Text A is too fragmentary for translation.]
[Gap of uncertain length.]
Stance against Mittanni
§11 (B rev! 1'-6') [If the King of the land of Mittanni] begins [war against the King of Hatti], and to him [... His Majesty] will write [to Sunashshura: ["...and] recognize him/it!" Sunashshura shall [not] do any evil... [...] to him. But if he does not become an ally of His Majesty, I will defend my land in the face of [...] But he will write to His Majesty, and infantry and chari- otry will not come [...] If for the sake of the infantry and chariotry <...>
§12 (B rev. 7-10) [If the King of the land of] Mittanni begins war against the King of Hatti, Sunashshura must not give [...] to him. He must not allow him to pass through his land, but must defend his land. He must not come [in a hostile manner(?) (against Hatti) together with] infantry and chariotry. If it suits Sunashshura, he will [come to the aid] of His Majesty. But if it does not suit him, he will not come.
§13 (B rev! 11-12') [If the King of the land] of Mittanni begins war against the land of Kizzuwatna, [if it suits] His Majesty, he will go to the aid of Sunashshura. But if it does not suit him, he will not go.
§14 (B rev. 13'-15') [If someone] undertakes evil [against the King] of Hatti - either [the land] of Mittanni [or another land] - and Sunashshura hears(!) of it, it is a matter which must be reported [to His Majesty].
[Text breaks off.]