Middle Assyrian Laws

Historical source page 57

56 Morris Jastrow, Jr. the trees that he (sc. the man) raises without [protesting(?)], 2 » the orchard is [free] 30 for the cultivator. 31 The field as a field belongs to the owner of the orchard. 32 13 If a man on ground that is not his, 33 cultivates an orchard or digs a well, whether he raises vegetables 34 or trees, they seize him and determine his guilt. On the day that the owner of the field goes out (sc. to inspect what has been done), 36 he may take away the orchard together with its improvement. 36 14 If a man on ground that is not his, breaks it up(?) 37 and bakes bricks, they seize him and determine his guilt. He must hand over three times the amount of ground 38 ; and his bricks are taken away from him. He receives 50(?) 39 lashes and must perform [one month's] 40 royal service. 15 [If a man] on ground that is not his 41 and bakes bricks, they take away [the bricks and 50(?)] blows they give him 42 and he must perform one month's royal service. 29 The word is broken off, but the context points to a term like 'protest', perhaps la-a ilf-bi. 30 Read za-[a-ku], i.e., he has the right to the crop. 81 na-di-a-ni, i. e., from nadu, the one who cultivated it. 31 1, e., the ground for further cultivation remains in the possession of the original owner of the orchard. 33 i-na la-a ka-ki-ri-i-hi, for Ifalplfaru, as above, Text No. 2, § 1. M ur-lpi, 'greens'. We still call a dealer in vegetables a 'green grocer'. 36 The assumption being that he voices his protest in contrast to his silent assent in § 12. 38 mo-na-Jo-a-ii-I«l, more literally 'the outlays' on it, for which no compen- sation need be given. 87 ig-lvA-UHma from galaiu, the meaning of which is to be gathered from the context. ** Sc. that he has used. *' The text is uncertain. The number may be 40 or 50 — more probably the latter. 40 To be supplied as the usual phrase in connection with fixed labor. 41 The verb which would have indicated what the man did in addition to baking bricks is broken off. ** Read [i-maj- &«-y«-ii-uJ, according to Schroeder's errata to his text (p. xxviii).