juridiques
de l'Assyrie et de la Chaldee," par J. Oppert et J. Menant, Paris, 1877.]
the versions have been revised, in some essential points, for the "Records
of the Past," by Dr. Oppert, who holds himself personally responsible for
the exact representation of the sense of these documents; but on account
of the unusual difficulty of these texts, the reader may easily be
convinced that for a long time yet, and particularly in details of minor
importance, there will remain room enough for a conscientious improvement
of all previous translations.

BABYLONIAN PRIVATE CONTRACTS

THE STONE OF ZA'ALEH

This document, engraved on a small broken slab of basalt, is dated from
the first year of the reign of Marduk-idin-akhe. It was discovered long
ago in the small mound of Za'aleh, on the left bank of the Euphrates, a
few miles northwest of Babylon. The text forms two columns of cursive
Babylonian characters; the first column is extremely damaged. Though
defaced, this contract offers some interest by its differing from other
documents of the aforesaid reign. It has been published in the first
volume of the collection of the British Museum ("W.A.I.," pl. 66), and
translated for the first time by Dr. Oppert, "_Expedition en Mesopotamie_"
t. i, p. 253.

COLUMN I

Covenant which in the town of Babylon, in the month Sebat, in the first
year of Marduk-idin-akhe, the mighty King, the men of M ..., have agreed:

The waters of the river ...,[1] and the waters of the canals did not go
through....[2]

[Footnote 1: Lacuna.]

[Footnote 2: Lacuna of several lines.]

COLUMN II

....[1] and all the streams which exist at the mouth of the river Salmani.
Therefore, Aradsu, son of Erisnunak, has agreed to (aforesaid things) for
the times to come, in giving his signature to this tablet.

Bit-Karra-basa, son of Hea-habal-idin, Governor of the town of Isin;
Babilayu, son of Sin-mustesir, Chief; Malik-akh-idinna, son of Nigazi,
Chief of the _ru-bar;_[2] Tab-asap-Marduk, son of Ina-e-saggatu-irbu, a
Scribe; Zikar-Nana, son of ...[1] Bin, _sabil_; Nabu-mumaddid-zir, a
servant, son of Zikar-Ea, a Governor; and Nabu-idin-akhe, son of Namri,
have fixed it in the furnitures of the house.

In the town of Babylon, on the 30th of Sebat (January), in the first year
of Marduk-idin-akhe, the mighty King.

The Masters of the Royal Seal have granted approbation.

[Footnote 1: Lacuna of several lines.]

[Footnote 2: Unknown dig