daughter (and probably also the son) and rejected nephew have not
been executed. Their punishment is simply banishment from the
capital to places where they will live in comfort and safety. And
there will be no further recriminations for past acts of disloyalty
and treachery committed by any of the king’s subjects. Mercy
and clemency will be comprehensive and unconditional. This in
accordance with the new spirit of peace and harmony which is to be
the king’s legacy to his heirs and subjects.
We come now to the Testament’sfinal words. The king gives
instructions that a record of all he has said is to be read out to
Mursili every month. And then with a last piece of advice to his new
heir, his speech isfinished. Or so it seems. The king sinks back
upon his couch, silent, and the scribe puts down his stylus. But then
the king rallies, briefly. He turns to a woman close to his bedside.
She’s called Hastayar. We do not know her relationship to the king.
She is almost certainly a close female relative– maybe his wife,
maybe a favourite concubine. After some words of advice to her, he
says,finally,‘Wash me well, hold me to your breast, protect me from
the earth (lying against) your breast’ (transl. P. Goedegebuure).
These are private words, not intended for the record. But faithful to
his instructions, the scribe on hearing the king speak again hastily
picks up his stylus, records what he says, and ensures that they are
forever preserved. The great Hittite warlord, suddently fearful at the
prospect of his own death, bids Hastayar hold him close, keeping
him from death’s clutches.
THE TRUTH OF THESE MATTERS?
Fascinating though this document is, it leaves many questions
unanswered. Let’s remember that everything we are told comes
directly from the king’s own mouth, without any corroboration.
Should we accept at face value the accusations of treachery and
conspiracy he makes against his own family? Doth the king
protest too much? Reading between the lines, I have the
impression that he was deeply unpopular with many of his
subjects, at least at this stage of his reign, and that the uprisings
against him were not entirely without good cause. What’smore,it
THE LEGACY OF AN AILING KING 37