An unknown author asks the king to investigate two legal cases quashed by Ṣillaya (no. 54).[[33]] Zerutiya brings in Sillaya's witnesses Bel-ipuš and possibly Bel-uballiṭ from Dilbat but Ṣillaya tricks them into going home without testifying, supposedly to mobilise archers, and claims that his case should be dropped. Ṣillaya drops a case involving a legal adversary brought in by Zerutia who falls to appear. The author complains that he is terrorised by Ṣillaya, Bel-ipuš from Dilbat may occur in other texts from 680 and 673 B.C.[[34]] The letter is probably from northern Babylonia, excluding Dilbat. The probable Nabû and Marduk/Bel blessing and Ṣillaya's clashes with Assyrian-backed authorities in Babylon attested elsewhere suggest Babylon or the vicinity under Esarhaddon as the source.[[35]]
Ninurta-a[ha-...] informs the king that officials of Nabû-ušallim of Bit-Dakkuri claim to be carrying silver to buy horses (no. 56). Nabû-ušallim refuses to give the author valuable refugees from Šamaš-ibni without proof that this is by royal command. Bel-iqiša, Bunanu's son, comes to Babylon, Borsippa, and Bit-Dakkuri to advance his interests and arranges marriages for his daughters. He misappropriates land in the province of Babylon between Cutha and Kish. Esarhaddon defeated Šamaš-ibni the leader of Bit-Dakkuri in 678 B.C. and appointed Nabû-ušallim as his successor; Nabû-ušallim is still attested in office under Šamaš-šumu-ukin.[[36]] Nabû-ušallim is the author of a letter about hostile refugees from Šamaš-ibni and a letter naming Šamaš-šumu-ukin (nos. 185 and 186). Bel-iqiša is attested as the leader of the Gambulu during 676-664 B.C.[[37]] The refugee and land disputes in no. 56 suggest an Esarhaddon date but Assurbanipal is possible.
Four letters to the king refer to attempts of Nabû-ušallim of Bit-Dakkuri to extend his sphere of power over the city of Marad. An unknown author reports that Nabû-ušallim, the 'son' of Dakkuru, has removed Marad from Assyrian control and has built up his forces at the king's expense (no. 57). Bel-eṭir is involved, and Aššur-naṣir and "the king your father" are mentioned. A broken letter mentions Bel-eṭir and probably a royal judgement against the 'son' of Dakkuru concerning Marad (no. 58). Aqar-Bel-Iumur from Marad reports that the 'son' of Dakkuru has taken over Marad and emphasises the city's high status under its commandant that was officially awarded by "the king your father" (no. 59). He asks for help because the 'son' of Dakkuru has destroyed his property in Marad and Babylon (no. 60). Nabû-ušallim of Bit-Dakkuri is attested under Esarhaddon (see no. 56). Bel-eṭir is probably the rebel leader of Bit-Ibâ, linked with Šamaš-ibni and his daughter Balihitu, who was active under both kings.[[38]] Aššur-naṣir may be the chief eunuch linked with Sasiya under Esarhaddon and references to "the king your father" suggest an Esarhaddon date.[[39]] However, this crisis in Marad may have occurred under Esarhaddon or Assurbanipal.
33 On Zakiru in no. 54:7, 12, 17, see J.A. Brinkman, Or 46 (1977) 318 sub 17.
34 See PNA 1/II 295 s.v. Bēl-ēpus 7.
35 Limited space in no. 54:2 favours restoring the names of Nabû and Marduk/Bel. On Ṣillaya and Babylon, see nos. 14 and 17.
36 Šamaš-ibni occurs in other letters (nos. 69 and 185; SAA 10 2 and ABL 756:2 (both Assyrian letters)). On Nabû-ušallim's career, see Frame Babylonia 79, 235, 238. On Nabû-ušallim's seizure of Marad in the reign of Esarhaddon or Assurbanipal and on links between Bit-Dakkuri and Bit-Ibâ, see nos. 57-60.
37 On Bel-iqiša, see PNA 1/II 315f s.v. Bēl-iqīša 7; Frame Babylonia 81, 111, 119ff. Bunanu occurs in a broken context in no. 112.
38 Bel-eṭir of Bit-Ibâ is attested under Assurbanipal (CT 54 490 r.15; probably no. 180). Insultingly he is described as a slave of Šamaš-ibni during Ṣillaya's lifetime and of Balihitu, and is portrayed as subordinate to Hulalitu (SAA 3 29-30). Assurbanipal wrote, possibly to Bel-eṭir, about Ibâ, Hulalitu, and Šamaš-ibni's daughter Balihitu (ABL 454:11-17). On Šamaš-ibni the leader of Bit-Dakkuri and Ṣillaya, see no. 69.
39 See PNA 1/I 204 s.v. Aššūr-nāṣir 11, cf. Nissinen, SAAS 7 147. This raises the possibility that Bel-eṭir in nos. 57 and 58 is the conspiring governor of HAR linked with Sasiya under Esarhaddon (see nos. 92 and 131).
Frances Reynolds
Frances Reynolds, 'Letters from Kish, Borsippa, Bit-Dakkuri, and Marad', The Babylonian Correspondence of Esarhaddon and Letters to Assurbanipal and Sin-šarru-iškun from Northern and Central Babylonia, SAA 18. Original publication: Helsinki, Helsinki University Press, 2003; online contents: SAAo/SAA18 Project, a sub-project of MOCCI, 2020 [http://oracc.org/saao/saa18/esarhaddoncorrespondence/fromkishetc/]