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4.2 Class
Among free persons, it is possible to discern a higher class consti-
tuted by nobles such as the maryannus or the mùdûs of the king and
queen. As the latter designations make clear, some of these cate-
gories (associated with the corresponding pilkuservices) belonged to
the royal entourage. The king could promote individuals from one
category to the other (cf., e.g., RS 16.348).4.3 Gender
Women as citizens (cf. the designation “daughter of Ugarit” in RS
16.191+ = KTU 3.4:11) enjoyed the same basic rights and obliga-
tions as men.^13 They appeared in court as litigants, owned land and
had rights of inheritance, being liable to service, and were debtors
and parties to contracts of sale or exchange. They do not, however,
seem to have had access to public office.4.4 Slavery
The term for slave (Akk. ardu, Sum. ìr, and Ug. 'abdu) can be used
in our texts in the sense of “subject” and thus can sometimes des-
ignate free persons.
Slaves, in the strict sense, both male (ardu/ìr) and female (amtu/géme),
are well attested in our Ugarit corpus. They appear listed as items
of property along with oxen, sheep, goats, and immovables (e.g.,
RS 8.145, RS 15.120). As such, they could be sold (e.g., RS 11.856,
RS 8.303), given away (RS 18.21), or bequeathed (e.g., RS 8.145, RS
16.148+). A female slave could be married to a free citizen (e.g.,
RS 16.250).
A free person could be sold into slavery. This was the case of
debtors who could not repay their debts. For example, a family
group of seven people ransomed from the Berutians become the ran-
somer’s slaves until they can repay the amount of the ransom (RS
16.191+ = KTU 3.4).^14 On the other hand, in one suretyship con-
tract, the creditor is allowed to sell the sureties to the Egyptians16.132, and 16.157. See Astour, “Les étrangers à Ugarit.. .,” and Vargyas, “Immi-
gration into Ugarit...”(^13) Cf. Klíma, “Die Stellung der ugaritischen Frau...”
(^14) Cf. Yaron, “A Document of Redemption...”
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