The land of Subartu (, Assyrian: Kur Šubarri) or Subar (, ) is mentioned in Bronze Age literature and was inhabuted by the Subarians. The name also appears as Subari in the Amarna letters, and, in the form Šbr, in Ugarit.
Subartu was apparently a kingdom in Upper Mesopotamia, at the upper Tigris and later it referred to a region of Mesopotamia. Most scholars suggest that Subartu is an early name for people of upper Mesopotamia proper on the Tigris and westward, although there are various other theories placing it sometimes a little farther to the east and/or north. Its precise location has not been identified.
From the point of view of the Akkadian Empire, Subartu marked the northern geographical horizon, just as Amurru kingdom, Elam and Sumer marked "west", "east" and "south", respectively, functioning as a term to mean 'north'.
History
The Sumerian mythological epic
Enmerkar and the Lord of Aratta lists the countries where the "languages are confused" as Subartu,
Hamazi,
Sumer, Uri-ki (
Akkadian Empire), and the Martu land (the
Amorites). The earliest references to the "four-quarters" by the kings of Akkad name Subartu as one of these quarters around Akkad, along with Martu,
Elam, and Sumer. Subartu in the earliest texts seem to have been farming mountain dwellers, frequently raided for slaves.
Eannatum of Lagash was said to have smitten Subartu or Shubur, and it was listed as a province of the empire of Lugal-Anne-Mundu; in a later era Sargon of Akkad campaigned against Subar, and his grandson Naram-Sin listed Subar along with Armani, which has been identified with Aleppo,[ Wayne Horowitz, "Mesopotamian Cosmic Geography", Eisenbrauns 1998 ] among the lands under his control. Ishbi-Erra of Isin and Hammurabi also claimed victories over Subar.
Three of the 14th-century BC Amarna letters – Akkadian cuneiform correspondence found in Egypt – mention Subari as a toponym. All are addressed to Akhenaten; in two (EA 108 and 109), Rib-Hadda, king of Byblos, complains that Abdi-Ashirta, ruler of Amurru, had sold captives to Subari, while another (EA 100), from the city of Arqa, also alludes to having transferred captured goods to Subari.
There is also a mention of "Subartu" in the 8th century BC Poem of Erra (IV, 132), along with other lands that have harassed Babylonia[BOTTERO Jean, KRAMER Samuel Noah, Lorsque les dieux faisaient l'homme, Gallimard, Paris, 1989, p.704.] in Neo-Babylonian times (under Nabopolassar, Nebuchadnezzar II and Nabonidus).
Subartu may have been in the general sphere of influence of the Hurrians.[Finkelstein J.J., "Subartu and Subarians in Old Babylonian Sources", Journal of Cuneiform Studies, vol 9, no. 1, 1955]
Amarna letters corpus
Subartu (
Subaru of the letters) is a toponym mentioned in the
Amarna letters (14th century BC); the letters were written in the short period approximately from 1350–1335 BC. It is commonly accepted that the region referenced was Subartu.
Subartu is only referenced in three of the Amarna letters: EA 100, 108, and EA 109. All three letters state that people, or 'items' are needed to be sold in Subaru, for money.
The letters referencing region Subartu
Subaru of the letters is only referenced in three Amarna letters, and with no links to any rulers of Subaru.
The following are the letters referencing Subartu:
- EA 100—Title: "The city of Irqata to the king" -See Arqa, Amarna letters Irqata
- EA 108—Title: "Unheard-of deeds" -letter of Rib-Hadda
- EA 109—Title: "Then and now" -letter of Rib-Hadda
EA 108, "Unheard-of deeds"
- "Rib-Hadda writes to his lord, king of all countries, Great King, King of Battle: May the Lady of Gubla grant power to the king, my lord. I fall at the feet of my lord, my Sun, 7 times and 7 times. Moreover, is it pleasing in the sight of the king, who is like Baal and Shamash in the sky, that the sons of Abdi-Ashirta do as they please? They have taken the king's horses and , and they have sold into captivity, charioteers: ši-x-y(?) and soldiers to ((to))-(emphasis?) the land of Su(ba)ru. In whose lifetime has such a deed been done? False words are now being spoken in the presence of the king, the Sun. I am your loyal servant, and whatever I know or have heard I write to the king, my lord. Who are they, the dogs, that they could resist the archers of the king, the Sun? I wrote to ((to))-(emphasis?) your father-(i.e. Amenhotep III), and he heeded my words, and he sent archers. Did he not take 'Abdi-Aširta for himself? Moreover, since the mayors have not opposed them, they are strong. The army furnishes whatever they need, and so they are not afraid of the magnate. Because they have taken the horses, they are bold. Because we know that they are strong, we have to(ld) the king, "They are strong," Truly, they will not prevail. When I sent 2 Courier to Zemar-(Zemar), I retained this man in order to report to the king. Moreover, why do you listen to other men? The king's messengers must bring (news) by night and bring (it) back by night because of the dog. If the king, the Sun, desires, they will be taken in a day. Moreover, has he not plotted evils upongainst you, and revolted?nd as for the man of my god, Habiru came from Sumur to take him prisoner, but I did not give him up. May the king heed the words of his servant. Send me 20 men from Meluhha and 20 men from Egypt-(named 'Mizri'-see Mizraim), to guard the city for the king, the Sun, my lord. (I am)- Your loyal servant. -EA 108, lines 1-69 (complete)
See also
Further reading
-
Arthur Ungnad, "Die ältesten Völkerwanderungen Vorderasiens. Ein Beitrag zur Geschichte und Kultur der Semiten, Arier, Hethiter und Subaräer", Kulturfragen 1, 4–8, 1923
-
Arthur Ungnad, "Subartu, Beiträge zur Kulturgeschichte und Völkerkunde Vorderasiens", Berlin/Leipzig, 1936
-
Moran, William L. The Amarna Letters. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1987, 1992. (softcover, )
