It is clear from this, and from other inscriptions of the series, that a kind of international law existed among the nations of the ancient East, by which they were expected to protect the caravans passing through each other's territory, and, in fact, see that no harm came to any of each other's subjects. They were expected to punish all persons who may have attacked and ill-treated or murdered them, and make restitution of property stolen. The law (probably an unwritten one) was evidently much the same as prevails among civilized nations at the present day. That these ancient rulers always obtained from their "brothers" the redress which they demanded, is more than doubtful. Burra-burias's entreaty that his messenger might be returned to him quickly points to vexatious delays on former occasions, and probable failure to obtain any justice or redress whatever.
The relations of Egypt with Assyria were similar to those with Babylonia, except that the Assyrian king, as has been shown, was, in some respects, a vassal.
Letter From The Assyrian King Asur-Uballit To Amenophis IV. King Of Egypt.
(Divided into paragraphs in accordance with the indications of the original text.)
"To Naphurî, (the great king?), the king of Egypt, my brother, (say) thus: 'It is Asur-uballit, king of Assur, the great king, thy brother.'
"To thee, to thy house and thy country, may there be peace.
"When I saw thy messengers, I rejoiced greatly. Thy messengers are staying with me for a time.
"I have caused to be brought to thee as thy gift a fine royal chariot of my y(ok)e, and 2 white horses of m(y y)oke, and one chariot without yoke, and 1 seal of fine lapis-lazuli.
"The great king's return-gift may be thus: Gold in thy land is (as) dust--they gather it up. Why should it go round into thine eyes? I have undertaken to build a new palace. Cause gold, as much as its over-laying and its need (requires), to be sent.
"When Asur-nadin-âhi, my father, sent to the land of Egypt, they caused to be sent to him 20 talents of gold.
"When the Hanigalbatian king sent to Egypt to thy father, he caused 20 talents of go(ld) to be brought to him.
"(Behold), thou hast caused to be brought ... gold to the Hani(gal)ba(tian) king ... and to me, (but f)or the going and returning it suffices (?) not for wages for my messengers.