Kassite letters: communicating orders and networking within the administration of Kassite Babylonia

Thesis

In this DPhil thesis the language, style, structure, epistolary function and content of 314 Kassite period letters from Nippur, which were available to the author, are analysed. Nippur yielded the largest number of Kassite period letters in comparison with other Kassite period findspots. The Kassite letters not only prove that the governor of Nippur had an elevated status, but also supraregional influence. He was involved in the collection of levies for the king, and in the supraregional distribution of resources, which are tasks ascribed to the royal administration. Provincial officials, such as ḫazannus, from other provinces reported to the šandabakku, because the šandabakku, as the highest official under the king, was involved in the collection of levies for the royal administration. Further, the Kassite letters show that the town of Nippur was surrounded by sub-units called pīḫatus, and that the province of Nippur stretched northeast up until Dūr-Enlilē. The šandabakku had the command over temples in Nippur. Levies of temple grants were collected by provincial officials, and temples were referred to as the šandabakku’s own household. Nippur’s network reached south through Isin and the Sealand to Dilmun, and in the north to Bīt-Pere-Amurru. In the northeast regular communication with Upī, Dēr and Akkade is attested. The involvement of Nippurean officials in distant provinces can be explained through the involvement of the šandabakku of Nippur in the management of temple lands in different provinces.

Authors: Zimmermann, LS

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-qrqk4kmm7
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: Middle Babylonian period; letter; governor; governance; Kassite letters; Kassite kingdom; Kassite; Nippur; state organisation; administration; provincial structure
• Subjects: History, Ancient; Kassite studies; Administration in ancient Mesopotamia; Assyriology