An Old Babylonian Soldier: Notes on the Archive of Ubarrum

Abstract

The evidence available for understanding the position of a redim in Old Babylonian times has been substantially increased by the publication of the archive of Ubarrum by E. Szlechter.' Both he, in his original publication, and B. Landsberger2 have contributed greatly to the elucidation of this body of texts, and their studies have been taken as the point of departure of the present paper. I am less concerned, however, with juridical and economic questions than with the rights, duties and social position of the redum himself. In the absence of further evidence, it is most unlikely that satisfactory answers can be found to all the questions which arise, but the subject is of such interest and importance as to make an attempt seem worth while.