621
preserved but must have existed, since a label has been found with
the words “Third tablet: If a man.” According to Friedrich, this
could mean that the first tablet was divided into three parts.^13 Finally,
there is a further tablet, called KBo IV 4 after the designation of
the published copy, whose paragraphs are numbered with Roman
numerals. It represents a partially modified parallel to the first tablet.1.1.4 The division into paragraphs derives from Hroznÿ, who fol-
lowed the horizontal dividing lines visible on the tablets. The result
is a series of short sections, which in his view represented para-
graphs.^14 The result was, however, that he sometimes took two pro-
visions as one. For example, in HL 195, there should have been a
dividing line after 195a, as actually occurs in manuscripts d III, n,
and s III, while 195a and 195c form a single provision, which should
have been numbered HL 196. Similarly for HL 44a and 44b, where
the latter should actually be HL 45. Even the Hittite scribes, how-
ever, were not always consistent: in manuscript q 8 there is a divid-
ing line in HL 107 which has no place there.1.1.5 The texts are preserved in copies that are often not easy to
date. Relative dating of the provisions themselves is possible when
earlier and later rules are juxtaposed with the words “formerly.. .;
now.. .” For example (7):If someone blinds a free man or knocks out his tooth, formerly one
used to give one mina (= 40 shekels) of silver; now he gives twenty
shekels of silver and he shall look into his house.In a textual variant the twenty shekels are reduced to ten. In the
parallel text (KBo VI 4), V reads:If someone blinds a free man as the result of a quarrel, he gives one
mina of silver. If the hand sins, he gives twenty shekels.1.1.6 For the most part, the identity of the perpetrator is not
specified. The provisions begin with the words “If someone (takku
kuiski).. .,” followed by the circumstances. Both men and women
may be intended, as in the rules concerning injury and theft, but(^13) Friedrich, Gesetze.. ., 1.
(^14) Possibly an edition of the earlier-discovered Hammurabi stele was his model.
WESTBROOK_f15–618-656 8/27/03 12:28 PM Page 621