ahikar

These are the words of one named Ahikar, a wise and ready scribe, who taught his son . . .

For he said, 'Surely he shall be a son to me'. Before his words Ahikar had become great and had been counsellor of all Assyria

king of Assyria?' Then I, Ahikar, took Nadin, as he was called, the son of my sister, and brought him up,

he asked him. Then Esarhaddon king of Assyria loved him and said 'Long life be to Ahikar,

When the king of Assyria had thus spoken, I bowed down and made obeisance, I Ahikar, before Esarhaddon king of Assyria.

And in after days I, Ahikar, when I saw the face of Esarhaddon king of Assyria favourable, I answered

in your stead. He shall do your service for me.' Then I, Ahikar, when I heard

'Surely such words as these can I say, "This Ahikar, the old man, who was seal-bearer

will be greatly troubled when he hears words like these which I shall speak to him, and will kill Ahikar.'

The king said, 'You are to seek Ahikar (in) a place which you shall find

and kill him. Even if this Ahikar, the old man, is a skilful scribe

an evil return is it.' Then I, Ahikar, indeed was afraid. I answered and said to Nabusumiskun

the officer, '(Yes, and) also I am that Ahikar who formerly saved you from an undeserved death

you shall live, Ahikar, father of all Assyria, by whose counsel king Senacherib and all the army of Assyria

indeed this Ahikar was a great man and bearer of the seal to king Esarhaddon, and by his counsel and words

Let him be killed between these two mountains instead of this Ahikar, and when it is heard, the king will send other men

after us to see the body of this Ahikar. Then they will see the body of this eunuch my slave,

until afterwards Esarhaddon the king remembers Ahikar and desires his counsel, and grieves

"I will give you riches as the number of the sand if you find Ahikar."' And this counsel

the eunuch, instead of Ahikar here. He shall be killed between these two mountains.'

At that time it was reported in the country of Assyria, saying, 'Ahikar the scribe of Esarhaddon

I went and found that Ahikar and killed him.' And when king Esarhaddon