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4.2.2 Refugees, Runaways, and Deserters (¢alqu, maqtu)
While Assyrian political refugees fleeing to vassal states, as well as
runaways and deserters escaping military duty and corvée, had to
be returned to Assyria by treaty provisions (see 3.4.5),^83 refugees seek-
ing asylum in Assyria, especially important ones, were not extradited
but were well received at the imperial court, where they received
the same treatment as the youths of deported foreign aristocrats.4.2.3 Immunity
Foreign messengers, ambassadors, and emissaries enjoyed diplomatic
immunity while visiting the court, in the sense that their persons
were inviolate (see 2.3.3 above). A letter from the crown prince
Sennacherib (SAA 1 33) points to the existence of special “embassies”
of subject nations in the capital. Important foreign guests, especially
ones who had distinguished themselves as loyal servants of the king,
received special badges and honors (golden torcs, robing in purple,
seating at the royal table) in recognition of their services.^844.2.4 Humanitarian Aid
Foreign countries with which Assyria maintained peaceful relations
could receive shipments of grain in times of famine.^85ASAA State Archives of Assyria
SAA 2 S. Parpola and K. Watanabe, Neo-Assyrian Treaties and Loyalty Oaths
SAAB State Archives of Assyria Bulletin
SAAS State Archives of Assyria Studies
NL H.W.F. Saggs, “The Nimrud Letters,” Iraq17 (1955) 21ff. (cited by text
numbers)(^83) For letters referring to the retrieval of runaways and deserters from vassal
rulers see, e.g., SAA 5 nos. 32, 35, 52–54, and 245.
(^84) See, e.g., ABL 129: 25–27, 1454 r. 1–2 (referring to Median vassals); SAA 7
58, 73, 127; Postgate, “Rings...”
(^85) See Streck Asb., 105, and ABL 1385 for corn shipped from Assyria to Elam
in time of famine.
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