Information about the Hittites

HBM #7

HBM #7

§1 Thusly My Sun:
Say to Mr. Kaššu:

§2 What you wrote to me in the following way: "I just sent out scouts. They went [and began] to scout the cities of Taggašta and Ukuduipuna. They [...-ed] to the lattariyantiyas. The river has receded^?."

§3 Be called on that matter! Send scouts and let them scout well. And [...]. What I, My Sun, have just recently written to you - After that mission, draw back.

§4 Just [...] to [...] and [...] and [...] I will come. The troops are already assembled.

§5 As I know you, Mr. Kaššu, send in complete secrecy to the (friendly) Kaškans. And [may they be] on their guard!

COMMENTARY

I understand the situation in HBM #7 to be the following. The Great King was preparing to set off on a campaign against the Kaškans. But he could not move his troops against the enemy until flood waters around the cities of Taggašta and Ukuduipuna had receded. He therefore instructed Mr. Kaššu to keep him informed about conditions in the area, which Mr. Kaššu accordingly did, informing him when the waters had receded. In §4 the Great King indicates that his troops were already assembled for the campaign, and that he was preparing to come. In §5 the Great King seems to be responding to earlier information sent by Mr. Kaššu that he could gain the assistance of some Kaškan group. The Great King indicates his trust in Mr. Kaššu and his abilities ("As I know you, Mr. Kaššu"), and instructs him to secretly pursue the alliance.

§2 Suggested restoration and translation contra Alp provided by Hoffner.

§5 I owe my interpretation of this paragraph to Cathy Mineck.

					Why?
	HBM #7 HBM #7 §1 Thusly My Sun: Say to Mr. Kaššu: §2 What you wrote to me in the following way: "I just sent out scouts. They went [and began] to scout the cities of Taggašta and Ukuduipuna. They [...-ed] to the lattariyantiyas. The river has receded^?." §3 Be called on that matter! Send scouts and let them scout well. And [...]. What I, My Sun, have just recently written to you - After that mission, draw back. §4 Just [...] to [...] and [...] and [...] I will come. The troops are already assembled. §5 As I know you, Mr. Kaššu, send in complete secrecy to the (friendly) Kaškans. And [may they be] on their guard! COMMENTARY I understand the situation in HBM #7 to be the following. The Great King was preparing to set off on a campaign against the Kaškans. But he could not move his troops against the enemy until flood waters around the cities of Taggašta and Ukuduipuna had receded. He therefore instructed Mr. Kaššu to keep him informed about conditions in the area, which Mr. Kaššu accordingly did, informing him when the waters had receded. In §4 the Great King indicates that his troops were already assembled for the campaign, and that he was preparing to come. In §5 the Great King seems to be responding to earlier information sent by Mr. Kaššu that he could gain the assistance of some Kaškan group. The Great King indicates his trust in Mr. Kaššu and his abilities ("As I know you, Mr. Kaššu"), and instructs him to secretly pursue the alliance. §2 Suggested restoration and translation contra Alp provided by Hoffner. §5 I owe my interpretation of this paragraph to Cathy Mineck.