Note 49 — Chapter VI

Cf. Cone A, Col. VII., and Cones B and C, Col. XII., l. 21 f. The phrase does not imply that slavery was abolished, but that abuses were put down in the administration of the state. The employment of slaves naturally continued to be a recognized institution as in earlier and later periods. In fact, tablets of this epoch prove that not only private persons, but also temples could possess slaves, and, like domestic animals, they could be dedicated to a god for life. Thus eight male and three female slaves are mentioned in a list of offerings made by Amattar-sirsirra, a daughter of Urukagina, to the god Mesandu (cf. Genouillac, "Orient. Lit.-Zeit.," 1909, col. 110 f.).