Wow, new lore just dropped!

https://www.tumblr.com/mostlydeadlanguages/656166624810991616/ea-na%E1%B9%A3ir-reassures-two-men-uet-v-72

Copying tumblr post text verbatim for posterity:

In this unpublished tablet, held by the British Museum, we find the copper merchant Ea-Naṣir and his associate Ilushu-illassu writing to a couple of men to reassure them. Although the situation is missing some context, there are some real gems in the context of the famous letter to Ea-Naṣir.

One of the men intimidating the recipients is named Mr. Shorty (kurûm).
Ea-Naṣir complains that people don't believe him.
Ea-Naṣir mentions giving "the ingots that we talked about" to someone.
The repeated encouragements — "don't be scared!" "don't be critical!" "don't worry!" — sound a lot like Ea-Naṣir is trying to reassure someone that a situation hasn't gone sideways (but it has).

Say to Shumun-libshi and the Zabardabbû:

[1]Ea-Naṣir and Ilushu-illassu say:

As for the situation with Mr. "Shorty" and Erissum-matim, who came here, don't be scared.

I made them enter the temple of the Sun-God and take an oath. They said, "We didn't come about these matters; we came for our businesses."

I said, "I will write to them" — but they didn't believe me!

He said, "I had a quarrel with Mr. Shumun-libshi." He said, "[...] to his partner. I took, and you did not [...] You didn't give to me."

Within 3 days, I'll come to the city of Larsa.

Also, I spoke with Erissum-matim and said, "What is your sign?"

[2]I said to the kettle-maker (?), "Go with Ilum-gamil the Zabardabbû, and take the shortfall for me, and put it in the city of Enimma."

Also, don't neglect your [...].

Also, I have given the ingots that we talked about to the men.

P.S. Don't be critical! Get the [...] from them! Don't worry! We’ll come to you.

[3][1] Zabardabbû is a Sumerian loanword that literally means "bronze-holder" but came to mean some sort of official title in the palace and temple. Given the context, though, it may literally mean "coppersmith" here.

[2] The "sign" could mean an occult omen, a personality type, or even a password.

[3] This "postscript" was written on the sides of the tablet.

#eaNasir #Archaeology #Mesopotamia

Ea-Naṣir Reassures Two Men (UET V 72)

In this unpublished tablet, held by the British Museum, we find the copper merchant Ea-Naṣir and his associate Ilushu-illassu writing to a couple of men to reassure them.  Although the situation is m…

^Tumblr