copper as a gift. Let it not grieve my brother's heart that it is
too little. For in my land the hand of Nergal (the god of
pestilence) has slain all the workers, and copper cannot be
produced. And, my brother, take it not to heart that thy messenger
stayed three years in my land. For the hand of Nergal is in it,
and in my house my young wife died."

Yet this ruler also had to guard himself against embassies unworthy of a
king sent by Napkhuria. Another prince, in a letter unfortunately much
damaged, made the complaint that Napkhuria had once caused his own name to
be written first in a letter. This was, indeed, unparalleled; the title of
the recipient stands first even in a severe reprimand sent to the Egyptian
vassal Aziru. As if to equalise matters, in royal letters the greetings
that follow the address begin with a mention of the welfare of the writer.
"It is well with me. May it be well with thee," &c. There is, however, one
tablet addressed to Napkhuria that committed the offence complained of,
and it was perhaps for this reason that the introductory address was
scratched through anciently. It is fairly certain that this letter, as
well as the one complaining of Napkhuria's breach of etiquette, came from
the Hittite king. The tone throughout is very decided, and complaints of
neglect of proper consideration are not wanting.

A short time before his death Nimmuria had married another daughter of
Tushratta, Tadukhipa, the long inventory of whose dowry was found at Tell
el Amarna. On receiving the news--for which he was already prepared--of the
death of his hoary-headed son-in-law, Tushratta at once sent Pirizzi and
Bubri "with lamentations" to Napkhuria. He managed to suppress his
personal wishes up to the third message, but prepared the way for them by
calling Teye, the chief wife of Nimmuria, as a witness. "And all the
matters that I negotiated with thy father, Teye, thy mother, knoweth them;
none other besides knoweth of them." Immediately after this came the
request that Napkhuria should send him the "golden images" (statuettes)
that Nimmuria had promised him. And Napkhuria wasted no words, but sent by
the messenger Hamashi--the wooden models! He seems to have thought he was
acting as a good son and a shrewd man of business in fulfilling his
father's promises at so cheap a rate.

But Tushratta was not easily shaken off. His next move was to send Teye
and her son each a letter at the same