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2.1.3 The Administration^3
The royal palace at Ugarit was the seat of the central administra-
tion of the kingdom. From there the king, assisted by his high official
(sàkinu), would regulate both home and foreign affairs. Although the
sàkinuwas primarily concerned with the latter, he once issued a royal
deed in the king’s name (RS 16.145) and on another occasion acted
as supreme judge (RS 17.67). Indeed, the sàkinu, seems occasionally
to have exercised supreme political and juridical powers, presumably
when the king was either too young (cf. RS 34.129), or was ill or
absent from the country. The same is true, however, of the queen.^4
Royal officials (sàkinus) are known to have been appointed as gov-
ernors of several towns (e.g., Raqdu and Biru). Although very little
can be deduced from the available evidence, it seems that they must
have acted much in the same way as the king (cf., e.g., RS 17.61).
Local government was constituted by the mayor (¢azannu) and/or
a body of elders (“ibùtu). We find them, albeit rarely, responsible for
fiscal matters and for crimes committed in their territory.2.1.4 The Courts
2.1.4.1 The king constituted the highest court at Ugarit. Letters
sent by foreign rulers or officials to settle private judicial disputes at
Ugarit are addressed to the king or also to his sàkinu. So far, we
only have four records of litigation. Three are tried by the king^5 and
one by the sàkinu,^6 probably with delegated royal authority. Crimes
that carried the death penalty or exile seem to belong exclusively to
the king’s jurisdiction (RS 16.249; cf. also the case of divorce between
'Ammi∆tamru II and the princess of Amurru).2.1.4.2 The sàkinuof Raqdu issues one deed of conveyance in the
manner of the king (RS 17.61), and the mayor of Ugarit, together
with witnesses, is found presiding over one transaction (RS 25.134).
Otherwise, to date there is no evidence of the judicial function of
local courts.(^3) See Liverani, “Ras Shamra: Histoire,” 1337f.; Bunnens, “Pouvoirs locaux.. .,”
130f.
(^4) Cf. RS 16.197, a deed written in the name of ‘Ammi∆tamru II but sealed by
the queen(-mother), A¢at-milku.
(^5) RS 16.245, 16.254C, 16.356.
(^6) RS 17.67.
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