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according to an artificial exchange rate; an investment of four pounds
of silver yielded a share of one pound of gold (see e.g., EL 96 and
I 555). Since the capital investment was long term (examples range
from 9 to 12 years) and was made available not for a particular
venture but simply “to conduct trade” (makàrum), we may call it a
“naruqqu-association.” The trader contributed not only his expertise
and labor (texts speak of him as “carrying around” the money-bag),
but also his capital, since he regularly figures among the investors.
Each investor/trader kept in his archive sealed records of what
“was registered in the naruqqutablet in his name,”^229 but the main
document was the witnessed deed of association, which listed all
investors with their shares in gold, followed by a total and the length
of the term, after which (as one contract adds) the trader will settle
accounts. There follows a fairly standard set of contractual provi-
sions which mention that the trader himself will receive one third
of the profit and will be responsible for/guarantee the investors their
“one third,” and that whoever withdraws his investment prematurely
receives only what he invested, four pounds of silver for each pound
of gold, and no profit at all. Shareholders faithful to the society even-
tually would be paid out eight pounds of silver for each pound of
gold, according to the real exchange rate; hence, at the outset they
were guaranteed twice their investment (called “ipkàtum), in addition
to the other profit. An investor’s shares (important traders invested
in several different naruqqu’s) were inherited by his children and could
be sold.^230- C D
Homicide, resulting in the death of Assyrians, apparently in Anatolia,
is reported in some letters and can result in appeals to the local
ruler to punish or extradite the culprits and to make them pay “blood
money” (dàmù), which is also the subject of some administrative
records, when even the City of Assur got involved.^231 One case con-(^229) A key verb is adàmum, usually in the stative, admàku, “I am entitled to”
(x silver in his naruqqum), and there are a few occurrences of bèlùedmàtim, “title
holders.”
(^230) See e.g., EL 246.
(^231) For blood money, see Çeçen, “Kan Parasi,” with CAD D 79 2, b and VAS
26 26:8ff.
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