XXXV POLITICAL, SOCIAL, LITERARY 163 



Mar-martu, and its rightful owner, Ilu-bani, had to go 

 to law to obtain possession of it. Ilu-bani was the 

 adopted son of Sin-Magir, who had bequeathed to him 

 the garden. Mar-martu held that the garden could 

 not be alienated from himself, the rightful successor, 

 and probably a relative of Sin-Magir. Soon after 

 Ilu-bani had gained his case another claimant and 

 relative appeared called Sin-Muballit, and he by some 

 means got possession of the garden. Ilu-bani had to 

 go to law again, and Tablet No. 83,214 contains the 

 text of the judgment in his favour. (b.c. 2220.) 



In the reign of Sin-Muballit a house which was 

 situated on the highway to Kishtum was sold to Elali, 

 and a special price was paid for it because it was situated 

 immediately on the highway and had a " frontage on 

 the street." (No. 92,560.) 



In the reign of Apil-Sin (b.c. 2240) a piece of land 

 on the river Kabh was sold by Makhnubi-ili to Mannasha, 

 and a special price was paid because it was on the river. 



(No. 92,512.) 



A house and a cellar in the basement of a neighbouring 

 inn was sold by Sin-abushu to Ibik-Ishtar. 



(No. 92,521.) 



Sini-Ishtar and Iriba-Sin became partners about 

 B.C. 2300 in Babylon. Wishing to dissolve partnership 

 they went to the temple of Shamash before a judge, 

 who heard the case, and then made a ruling as to the 

 division of the common stock and capital. The original 

 capital is brought into court and each takes back his 

 share ; of the stock each takes half. Iriba-Sin receives 

 a male slave with all the tools of his handicraft, and a 

 female slave ; Sini-Ishtar receives 2 slaves, one male 

 and one female. They next swear that each is treating 

 his companion fairly in the house of Shamash and Sin. 

 They take oaths to the effect that neither will make a 

 complaint or bring an action at law against the other, 

 and that any accusation which one may bring against 

 the other as to the division of the property shall be 

 illegal and wrong. These things they swear by 4 gods 

 and the king (Kharamurabi) in the presence of eight 

 witnesses. (No. B. 73.) 



