A History of Ancient Near Eastern Law

628    

to both Hattusili and Puduhepa, which Edel terms “parallel pairs of

letters.”^31 She acted independently in diplomatic matters and also

appears in treaties as having equal standing with the king. She there-

fore had an important constitutional position, which she exploited

to the full.

2.3 The Administration

The king is served by a hierarchically organized bureaucracy which

performs the duties arising from his all-embracing role as head of

state.

2.3.1 The “Great Ones” (LÚ.ME”GAL) are a sort of council of state

or king’s council, from which the king seeks advice on important

matters, including internal dynastic conflicts.^32 They act as an oversight

body in a few areas of the administration, including court appoint-

ments. This is shown by the designations attributed to them: “Great

Ones of the Bodyguards,” “Great Ones of Wine Personnel,” “Great

Ones of the Charioteers.” They are also members of the panku, the

community of the royal family. In the New Empire, this body becomes

obsolete, being incompatible with the dignity of the king.

2.3.2 The “Lords” (BÈLÙ›I.A) are an extension of the circle of the

“Great Ones.” They belong, together with the “Princes” (close rel-

atives of the king), to the governing elite of the State. The two terms

are not mutually exclusive: a “Lord” can be a “Prince” and vice-

versa. Rank depends on the individual’s function.^33

2.3.3 The “Heads” (LÚ.ME”SAG), whom Starke calls a group of

officials,^34 were low-level court officials, who in the thirteenth cen-

tury were given higher status for administrative reasons. A conse-

quence was that the rank of “Great Ones” became less important.

2.3.4 The duties of all three groups are revealed by two loyalty

oaths drafted on the accession of Tuthaliya IV.^35 The first concerns

(^31) Edel, Korrespondenz.. ., 19.
(^32) Imparati, “Organisation.. .,” 334; Starke, “Regierung.. .,” 141.
(^33) Imparati, “Organisation.. .,” 332; Starke, “Regierung.. .,” 155.
(^34) Starke, “Regierung.. .,” 162.
(^35) Ibid., 163 (“Treueid”).
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