Articles of incorporation of “Marzah” in Ugarit - KTU 3.9
Despite the scarcity of legal texts written in Ugaritic compared to the hundreds of legal texts written in Akkadian, they are sufficient to draw a general picture of the legal foundations on which the Canaanite Kingdom was founded, and to give us an idea of the language and legal methods that were prevalent in it.
Al-Raqim (KTU 3.9) is one of the most prominent of these texts. In addition to dealing with the legal aspect, Al-Raqim sheds light on the social and cultural life in Ugarit. Al-Raqim states that a man named “Shuman” owns the land. It is a place similar to a socio-religious forum in which various activities take place, which may include singing, music, and even religious and economic discussions, as well as a bar where men enjoy clinking glasses. Al-Raqim also stipulates some conditions and fines applicable to its owner and visitors. The theater, in our opinion, is the same as the “theatre” of Abu Khalil al-Qabbani, before twentieth-century linguists adopted the term “theatre.”
Marzah
of Qani
Shaman
Babtu
Vashta Ibsan
Lakum. And your reward
is
for
the sake of Jesus
and
the Lord. Al-Yiddad
Mat Marzah
Wierjum L-
Shamman Tin
Kasf Thaqilam D Ammanuk
Thiqlim Yesa
Yafihu Khirashf
bin Uzarnan
and
Abdin bin Sijald.
Translation:
The barn which Shamoman founded in his house,
and [in it] he prepared a storehouse for you.
If I cast you out of my house,
I will pay [indemnity] fifty [weights] of silver.
And Shamaman [is] the ruler,
so let no man from Marzah come
and say to Shamaman:
“Give me back the weight of silver that you have”
[otherwise] I will fine him two weights of silver.
[To this] bear witness: Ikhrishaf ibn Adharnan
and Abidin ibn Sijlad.
Notes on the text
The text does not provide us with anything that helps us reach a clear definition of the word “Marzah” or a direct translation of it. This indicates that the Marzah was a place known to everyone, and there is no need to explain its work and services. Which prompted us to use the same Ugaritic word in the Arabic translation without providing a translation for it.
Al-Raqim stipulates that “Shuman,” the founder and president of the funhouse, must compensate the guest who expels him from the funhouse with a relatively large sum, which indicates that the visitors were paying in advance for their membership in the funhouse. Al-Raqim also stipulates another fine to be paid by the partygoers in the event that they ask “Shuman” to recover the money. This fine amounts to double the amount they are demanding, without specifying any conditions or exceptions.
Like most Ugarit legal texts, the Ruqaym ends with the signatures of two witnesses.
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