SAA 01 001. Midas Of Phrygia Seeks Detente (NL 039)

(1) The king's word to Aššur-šarru-u[ṣur]: I am well, Assyria is well: you can be glad.

(3) As to what you wrote to me: "A messenger [of] Midas the Phrygian has come to me, bringing me 14 men of Que whom Urik had sent to Urarṭu as an embassy" — this is extremely good! My gods Aššur, Šamaš, Bel and Nabû have now taken action, and without a battle [or any]thing, the Phrygian has given us his word and become our ally!

(10) As to what you wrote: "I shall not send my messenger to the Phrygian without the permission of the king, my lord" — I am now writing to (tell) you that you should not cut off your messenger from the Phrygian's presence. Write to him in friendly terms and constantly listen to news about him, until I have more time.

(16) As to what you wrote: "Should I send his subjects to him just as he sent me the subjects of the king my lord?" — send them to him so that he will be favourably disposed towards us. Whether 100 men or 10, write to him like this: "I wrote to the king my lord about the men of Que whom you sent to me, and he was extremely pleased; and in return he wrote to me [as follows]: 'Do not hold back even a single one of the Phrygians at your court, but send them to Midas [immediately]!' Thus at the king my lord's behest I am (now) sending you th[ese] men."

(26) As to what you wrote: "A messenger of Urpala'a came to me for an audience with the Phrygian messenger" — let him come, and let Aššur, Šamaš, Bel and Nabû command that all these kings should wipe your sandals with their beards!

(31) As to what you wrote: "Kilar [has request]ed from me four districts, saying: 'Let them give them to me'" — should you give [these] four districts to Kilar, would he not become your equal, and what would you yourself be ruling over as governor then? Tell him as follows: "Earlier, you were afraid of the Phrygian, but now the Phrygian has made peace with us, so what are you afraid of? Now eat your bread and drink your water under the protection of the king, my lord, and be happy. Do not worry about the Phrygian."

(43) As to what you wrote: "Urpala'a [may slip away] from the king, my lord, on account of the fact that the Atunnaeans and Istuandaeans came and took the cities of Bit-Paruta away from him" — now that the Phrygian has made peace with us and ..., what can all the kings of Tabal do henceforth? You will press them from this side and the Phrygian from that side so that (in no time) you will snap your belt on them. Thanks to my gods Aššur, Šamaš, Bel and Nabû, this land has now been trodden under your feet! Move about as you please, do whatever you have to do, cut the long and lengthen the short until I come and give you [...] work!

(57) As to Ba[lasu concerning whom you wrote], I have heard his words in full. The day you see this letter, appoint his son in his place over his men. His people should be assembled and present, and if he wants, he may take them over the mountains and settle them there, or they may also live here. As for him, let one of your 'third men' pick him up post-haste and let him come here. I will speak kindly with him and encourage him, and in due course I will send word and have his people (being kept) here returned, and he too can go and re-enter his house.

(66) As for Aplaiu, let your messenger bring him and his people to me, whether (they are) citizens of Babylon, Borsippa, Kish, Nippur, Uruk, Der, or (...)