SAA 18 158. Babylon’s Privileged Status (ABL 0878)

(1) The words which the people of Babylon spoke before the king:

(2) "Ever since the kings, our lords, sat on the throne, you have been intent on securing our privileged status and our happiness. But what of us, who have had our fill of safeguarding those of (our) Elamite, Tabalite and Ahlamite women!

(6) When the kings, our lords, did their elementary studies, the gods bestowed great wisdom and magnanimity on you. "Dimkurkurra, Babylon, (is) the Bond of the Lands." Whoever enters inside it, his privileged status is secured. Also, Babylon (is) "the bowl of the Dog of Enlil." Its (very) name is set up for protection. Not even a dog that enters inside it is killed.

(12) The kings, our lords, know that Eṭiru and his sons grasped the feet of the king of Assyria, your father. Until Šuzubu son of Gahal came and killed them all, they kept kiss[ing] the feet of Assyria which they had grasped, and kept the watch of their lord's house. Šuzubu received the [heads], arms and feet of Eṭiru (and) his sons together with [...] in the presence of Beliya. But the women [of ...] and Šaddinnu were married in Babylon.

(20) [...] with them (f.), saying: "She is [a wom]an who goes out." What is wrong (with that)? [...]

(21) [...] all the [women] of Eṭiru's house [...]

(r 1) carries everything. To [......]

(r 2) the foreign women [......].

(r 3) And in having made our privileged status sur[passing ...] from all lands, the kings, our lords, have [...] more than past kings.

(r 6) So let the privileged status of the women who [...] al[so be established] with us by the name of Babylon, (and) may the favours which the kings, our lords, have do[ne for us], be (thus) brought to a climax.

(r 10) Under your protection, Bel-bulliṭ (and) [...] continue ble[ssing] the kings, our lords, every day before Marduk (and) [Zarpanitu].