A rebuttal from the king of Egypt (Correspondence)

A rebuttal from the king of Egypt

The welfare of the Babylonian king's sister and other diplomatic issues

EA 1

Amenhotep Ill, king of Egypt

Kadashman-Enlil I, king of Babylon

CDLI

Say to Kadashman-Enlil, the king of Babylon, my brother, on behalf of Amenhotep, the Great King, the king of Egypt, your brother: All is well with me. May it be well with you! May it also be very well with your household, with your wives, with your children, and with your magnates, your horses, your chariots, and throughout your lands. It is well with me. It is well with my household, with my wives, with my children, with my magnates, my horses, my chariots, and the numerous troops. In my lands it is very well.

Now I have received word, which you sent to me regarding her, which said, “Herewith, you request my daughter as your wife, while my sister, whom my father gave you, is there with you. Nobody has seen her. Is she dead or alive?” These were the very words you sent to me on your tablet. Did you ever send a dignitary who knows your sister, who could speak with her and identify her? So, let him speak with her! The men whom you sent are nobodies. One was the [...] of Zaqara, the other was an assherder from [...] land. There is not one among them who knows her, who is close to your father, and who could identify her. Furthermore, the envoys who were with you, let them speak. He has given [...] into his possession to retrieve it for her mother.

Regarding what you wrote: “While your wives were gathered in your presence, you said to my envoys, ‘Here is your lady standing in front of you.’ But my envoys did not recognize her. That was my sister who was with you", about whom you, yourself, have written, “My envoys did not recognize her.” So, you say, “Who can identify her?” Why will you not send a dignitary who will speak the truth to you about the welfare of your sister who is here? Then you may believe the one who enters to see her quarters and her relationship with the king.

Regarding what you wrote: “Perhaps who my envoys saw was the daughter of a commoner or a Kaskean, or the daughter of a Hanigalbatean. Who can believe them? The one with you who [...] did not open her mouth. Someone could not possibly believe them.” These were your words. But if your sister were dead, why would we cover up her death and substitute someone else? As Amen lives, your sister is alive.

[…]

Regarding what you wrote: “My daughters who are married to local kings, when my envoys go there, they speak with them and bring me a greeting gift. The one with you [...].” These were your words. Perhaps the kings of your region are quite wealthy. Your daughters could obtain something from them and send it to you. And what does your sister, the one who is with me, have? She should get something so I can send it to you. It is good that you give your daughters to obtain the good things of your region.

Regarding the words of my father that you wrote: Forget it! You did not speak his words. Furthermore, “Establish a friendly brotherhood between us.” These are your words, which you wrote. Now you and I are brothers, both of us. But I became angry on account of your envoys because they said to your face, “They did not give anything to those of us who travel to Egypt.” Of those who come to me, do any one of them come and not receive more silver, gold, oil, garments, or every type of goods than in any other country? He speaks dishonestly to the one who sends him. The first time the envoys had gone to your father, their mouths told lies. The next time they went, they told you lies. But I have said myself, “Whether I give them anything or not, they will talk anyway.” So I promised them I would not give them anything else.

Regarding what you wrote: “You spoke to my envoys as follows, 'Your master does not have any troops.' And, 'It was not a beautiful girl that was given to me.’” These were your words. This is not true. Your envoys tell you these things. Whether they have troops available or not will be discovered for me. Why should I ask him whether or not you have horses? Do not listen to your two envoys, whom you sent, whose mouths are dishonest. I swear they have shown you disrespect by telling lies in order to escape your grasp.

Regarding what you wrote: "He placed my chariots among the chariots of the mayors. You did not view them separately. You carried them off to the lands under you. You did not view them separately.” They have requested all my horses and chariots, even the chariots and horses of my own country.

Regarding what you wrote in order to aggrandize yourself and to put oil on the head of a girl, you sent me one gift of fine oil.