Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 April 2014
The introductory formulae of Neo-Assyrian letters sent to the king or a superior official during the eighth century B.C. attest to a highly standardised form of letter writing (especially in the address), proving scribal sensitivity to an established letter writing etiquette. The introductory formula reflects the office of the sender; exactly the same formula (including the greeting) may be used by successive officeholders. Yet these formulae are by no means entirely uniform. In particular, the presence or absence of a blessing may tell us about the sender's relationship with the Assyrian king.
This is a revised version of a paper presented at the 57th RAI in Rome on the 8th July 2011. It is based on research carried out as part of the project “Mechanisms of Communication in an Ancient Empire”, led by Professor Karen Radner (University College London) and funded by the British Arts and Humanities Research Council. I should like to thank Greta Van Buylaere, Martin Worthington and Silvie Zamazalová for reading and commenting on a draft of this paper.