A SKETCH OF BABYLONIAN SOCIETY. 583 



Among the As'syrians, in contrast to Babylonia, the idea of the State 

 was one of somewhat firmer consolidation. This was caused by the 

 situation of Assyria, wedged between Babylonia and northern Meso- 

 potamia, and by the institution of a mercenary army since Tiglath- 

 Pileser I, which was likewise an efficient factor in the formation of a 

 stronger government than in Babylonia. Nevertheless, the political 

 institutions of the two States are somewhat similar. 



The officials were grouped in three orders — those who were occupied 

 with the internal administration; those who watched over the neigh- 

 boring and tributary States, and the military service that guarded the 

 interests of the State against enemies, and were frequently employed 

 as governors of subjugated States and tribes. The old nobility had, 

 moreover, a direct interest in the State, inasmuch as they preeminently 

 shared the offices among themselves. 



The- remaining subjects of the King Were partly direct and partly 

 indirect, and the latter certainly, in so far as they were, first of all, sub- 

 ordinate to the hierarchy of a temple. 



The interest that the individual citizens had in the State lay, apart 

 from the especial interests of the nobles, in the defense against outward 

 attack and in the maintenance of law and'justice; and we find, in fact, 

 that the Babylonian State was characterized by a highly developed 

 juridical life. As against the nomadic tribes the domestic militia and 

 mercenaries had to suffice more or less, while against the neighboring 

 powers the tribes themselves were now and again impressed into service. 



Of the constitution of the Babylonian State we know very little 

 indeed, and the little we do know is of a negative character, only as 

 the documents give us information of the abrogation of this or that 

 privilege, etc. Besides that, there are preserved to us several charters 

 from Babylonian provinces, which grant certain prerogatives to one 

 family or another. Thus it was legally established that officials of the 

 State should not enter a free territory of this kind; that its inhabitants 

 should not be arrested by the State police nor be constrained to the 

 performance of a number of various villein services owed to the State. 

 We may probably assume tbat certain cities obtained charters or fran- 

 chises, but we have only proofs for the in vesture of foreigners with civic 

 rights first in the time of the Persians, when very soon resounds the 

 cry "Oivis Susan us sum" (I am a citizen of Susa), which is important 

 for our appreciation of Cyrus's statesmanship. 



Erom all accounts we must conclude that the Babylonian kingdom 

 was divided into provinces, which were subdivided into administrative 

 districts, within which lay the free family estates. Everywhere but 

 in the free estates or territories the central authority had the right to 

 command arrests, to construct roads, bridges, etc., and to collect stal- 

 lions for the breeding studs of the Government, or to make arrange- 

 ments for the maintenance of the studs. The contrast thus made 

 apparent between the rights of the general Government and those of 



