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TWO OLD BABYLONIAN MARRIAGE CONTRACTS FROM ISIN

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 August 2020

Mohannad Kh. J. Al-Shamari  and
Muzahim Al-Jalili
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Abstract

Our study establishes that two tablets from the Iraq Museum are marriage contracts dating to the Old Babylonian period and in particular from the city of Isin. The dating formula of IM 201688 refers to a hitherto unpublished year name for Erra-imittī, who became king of Isin in 1868 BC. The event concerns the making of four large copper lions as a votive offering. This might have been done in preparation for a military campaign in connection with the rivalry between Isin and Larsa. The dating formula of IM 183636 is completely damaged. However, the text includes a witness described as a citizen of Isin. These two tablets are a very useful addition to the limited number of published OB marriage contracts and especially those from Isin. The tablets were written using formulaic legal expressions in Sumerian throughout with the exception of proper names. Both texts show a remarkably equal treatment of the two spouses in matters relating to compensation in the event of divorce.

Type
Research Article
Information
IRAQ , Volume 82 , December 2020 , pp. 125 - 137
Copyright
Copyright © The British Institute for the Study of Iraq 2020

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