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rights (EPE B24, 31). The parties regularly (except for Egyptians),
and witnesses and neighbors occasionally, were identified by ethni-
con (Aramean, Babylonian, Bactrian, Caspian, Jew, Khwarezmian),
occupation ([member] of a [military] detachment, builder, boatman,
[ Temple] servitor), and usually by residence (Elephantine, Syene) as
well. The numerous witness signatures attest a high degree of literacy
among the colonists. Upon completion, the papyrus was rolled up to
the top, folded to the right and to the left in thirds, tied, and sealed.1.2 Court Records
On a court log there appear successive accounts of individual court
proceedings, along the line of “he said,” then “he said,” then “the
judge said.” Such records survived only among the Saqqarah frag-
ments (TADB8.1–12), but we may assume that similar records were
kept at Elephantine.1.3 Letters
The Elephantine papyri yielded some five official or semi-official let-
ters (TADA5.1–5), and an additional sixteen letters stem from the
archive of the satrap Arsham (EPEB10–11; TADA6.3–16). The one
reasonably intact in the first group is a petition for redress of griev-
ances (TADA5.2). Most of the Arsham letters are addressed from
abroad to his deputies in Egypt in response to complaints or appeals.
They show the satrap intimately involved in matters large and small,
civil and criminal.1.4 Scholastic Document
The Words of A ̇iqar contains some 110 sayings (TADC1.1). While
none has explicit judicial import, eight sayings counsel obedience to
the king (nos. 6–10, 12, 14–15).1.5 Historical Document
The Bisitun Inscription recounts Darius’ victories over nineteen rebels
in one year. Seventy-nine lines in Aramaic survive from a copy of the
inscription dispatched to the Elephantine garrison (TADC2.1). There
emerges a clear picture of the king as commander-in-chief of the army.westbrook_f24_863-881 8/27/03 1:35 PM Page 864