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On Standardisation and Variation in the Introductory Formulae of Neo-Assyrian Letters1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 April 2014

Mikko Luukko
Mikko Luukko*
Affiliation:
Universität Würzburg, Institut für Altertumswissenschaften, Altorientalische Philologie, Residenzplatz 2, Tor A, 97070 Würzburg, Germany, mikko.luukko@uni-wuerzburg.de
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Abstract

The introductory formulae of Neo-Assyrian letters sent to the king or a superior official during the eighth century B.C. attest to a highly standardised form of letter writing (especially in the address), proving scribal sensitivity to an established letter writing etiquette. The introductory formula reflects the office of the sender; exactly the same formula (including the greeting) may be used by successive officeholders. Yet these formulae are by no means entirely uniform. In particular, the presence or absence of a blessing may tell us about the sender's relationship with the Assyrian king.

Type
Research Article
Information
IRAQ , Volume 74 , 2012 , pp. 97 - 115
Copyright
Copyright © The British Institute for the Study of Iraq 2012

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Footnotes

1

This is a revised version of a paper presented at the 57th RAI in Rome on the 8th July 2011. It is based on research carried out as part of the project “Mechanisms of Communication in an Ancient Empire”, led by Professor Karen Radner (University College London) and funded by the British Arts and Humanities Research Council. I should like to thank Greta Van Buylaere, Martin Worthington and Silvie Zamazalová for reading and commenting on a draft of this paper.

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