Royal Hittite instructions and related administrative texts
By: by Jared L. Miller ; edited by Mauro Giorgieri
Contributors: Giorgieri, Mauro, editor
Series: Writings from the ancient world / Society of Biblical Literature -- Number 31
Publisher: Society of Biblical Literature
Published: 2013
Place of publication: Atlanta
Language: eng
Number of pages: 451
ISBN-13: 9781589837690; 9781589836563; 9781589836570
Subjects: Hittites; Sources; Rites and ceremonies; Kings and rulers; Oaths; Hittite language; Texts; Hittite Inscriptions
Description: Few compositions provide as much insight into the structure of the Hittite state and the nature of Hittite society as the so-called Instructions. While these texts may strike the modern reader as didactic, the Hittites, who categorized them together with state treaties, understood them as "contracts" or "obligations", consisting of the king's instructions to officials such as priests and temple personnel, mayors, military officers, border garrison commanders, and palace servants. They detail how and in what spirit the officials are to carry out their duties and what consequences they are to suffer for failure. Also included are several examples of closely related oath impositions and oaths. Collecting for the first time the entire corpus of Hittite Instructions, this accessible volume presents these works in transliteration of the original texts and translation, with clear and readable introductory essays, references to primary and secondary sources, and thorough indices. (back cover).
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.