The paper focuses on a well-known but still enigmatic (at least in some aspects) Hittite document, KBo 6.28+. The first part of the text (KBo 6.28+, obv. 6-15) describes the so-called 'concentric invasion' of the Hittite country, a devastating attack and invasion of the Hittite country that took place before the rise to power of Šuppiluliuma I (first half of the 14th century BC). As a result, this section of the text deals specifically with the situation that arises when both military frontiers and man-made defences break down, allowing enemies to invade the interior. Then, after a few poorly preserved lines, the second part of the text (KBo 6.28+, rev. 18 ff.), apparently unrelated to the previous one, deals with an exemption decree in the name of the NA4ḫekur pirwa. This paper attempts to return to the text of KBo 6.28+ and to speculate on the relationship between the two sections and to contribute to the understanding of the political discourse of the Hittite king who authored the document. For this reason, KBo 6.28+ (CTH 88) will be presented in transcription and translation, with historical commentary on some crucial passages.
KBo 6.28+, or: Hattusili III between Past and Future
Maria Elena Balza
2022-01-01
Abstract
The paper focuses on a well-known but still enigmatic (at least in some aspects) Hittite document, KBo 6.28+. The first part of the text (KBo 6.28+, obv. 6-15) describes the so-called 'concentric invasion' of the Hittite country, a devastating attack and invasion of the Hittite country that took place before the rise to power of Šuppiluliuma I (first half of the 14th century BC). As a result, this section of the text deals specifically with the situation that arises when both military frontiers and man-made defences break down, allowing enemies to invade the interior. Then, after a few poorly preserved lines, the second part of the text (KBo 6.28+, rev. 18 ff.), apparently unrelated to the previous one, deals with an exemption decree in the name of the NA4ḫekur pirwa. This paper attempts to return to the text of KBo 6.28+ and to speculate on the relationship between the two sections and to contribute to the understanding of the political discourse of the Hittite king who authored the document. For this reason, KBo 6.28+ (CTH 88) will be presented in transcription and translation, with historical commentary on some crucial passages.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
