A History of Ancient Near Eastern Law

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or criminal, never end with the imposition of a fine to be paid to

the king or the palace administration.^157

8.1 Homicide

Indirect evidence is provided by a few records that inform us of

killing by enemy troops on the occasion of incursions into Arraphean

territory. In a royal order addressed to the mayor of a small town

probably located on the border, the king confirms the mayor’s per-

sonal responsibility for any plunder or murder committed by the

enemy in the territory under the mayor’s authority (HSS 15 1).^158

8.2 Assault and Battery

Persons convicted of assault, fighting, or causing injury to different

parts of another’s body were condemned to pay the victim thirty

shekels of silver in compensation, in the form of one ox, one ass

and ten sheep.^159

8.3 Theft and Related Offences

The documents attest to a great variety of cases, depending on the

object and particular circumstances of the theft. Penalties varied

accordingly.

8.3.1 Theft of Small Animals (sheep and goats)

Twelve-fold restitution seems to be the standard sanction, as in EN

9/1 403 (12 sheep for 1 stolen sheep) and JEN 343 (24 goats for 2

stolen goats). Aggravating circumstances—not always easy to iden-

tify—gave rise to twenty-fourfold restitution, as in JEN 672 (24 sheep

for 1 stolen sheep) and HSS 9 143 (48 sheep for 2 stolen sheep).

8.3.2 Theft of Large Animals (oxen and horses)

Thieves were condemned to twofold restitution, as in JEN 391 (2

oxen for 1 stolen ox). If the theft was committed by two or more

(^157) The only exceptions are JEN 370 and 347.
(^158) This difficult text has been the object of several different interpretations, among
which see Zaccagnini, The Rural Landscape.. ., 17–20.
(^159) HSS 5 43; AASOR 16 72. This particular kind of “ceremonial” payment has
been already commented on (see 4.1 and 5.1.4 above). See further, Zaccagnini,
“Transfers.. .,” 155.
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