In this unpublished tablet, held by the British Museum, we find the copper merchant Ea-Naṣir and his associate Ilushu-illassu writing to a couple of men to reassure them.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In this unpublished tablet, held by the British Museum, we find the copper merchant Ea-Naṣir and his associate Ilushu-illassu writing to a couple of men to reassure them.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