A History of Ancient Near Eastern Law

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diction of Alalakh; these may include lawsuits that involve the ruler

himself (e.g., AT 8 or AT 9). Conveyances of landed property in

Alalakh may also have required the consent of the king of Yamkhad

(cf. AT 456:57–62 and AT 79).^4

2.1.2 The Legislature

As a result of the political status described above, legal institutions

and rules in Alalakh must reflect the judicial system of the Great

Kingdom of Yamkhad. This is clearly shown by the application in

Alalakh of the debt-release decrees (anduràrum) issued by the kings of

Aleppo,^5 probably promulgated at the beginning of their various

reigns. (Note also the reference to an anduràrumpromulgated by King

Hammurapi of Aleppo in one text from Mari.)^6

2.1.3 The Administration

2.1.3.1 Apart from a possible reference in AT 98c, nothing is known

of the judicial capacity of the rulers of Alalakh. The same holds true

for their responsibility as provincial collectors of taxes and services.

2.1.3.2 The picture is not clearer as far as local government is con-

cerned.^7 A few scattered references mention two institutions that, in

principle, seem to be closely connected with the public administra-

tion of cities, namely the elders (“u.gi 4 .a/“ìbùtu) and the mayor

(¢azannu). Only mentioned in two documents (AT 271:6, 8, 16 and

AT 322:4), the elders appear in their role as representatives of their

respective cities, especially in AT 322, where they are expressly

described as responsible for their city’s debt.

As for the role of the city mayors in Alalakh, two aspects can

be deduced from the available information. First, their regular pres-

ence as witnesses of legal transactions points to their function in

court, albeit not necessarily judicial. The second aspect may be

revealed by AT 456, which describes a plot against Abban, the Great

(^4) See also Collon, The Seal Impressions.. ., 139f.
(^5) See Kraus, Königliche Verfügungen.. ., 105–8.
(^6) See Charpin, “Les décrets royaux.. .,” 41, where he refers to the forthcoming
publication by Durand of a “dossier” on Alahtum, which the latter suggests is to
be identified with Alalakh.
(^7) See Bunnens, “Pouvoirs locaux.. .,” 121f.
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