To Nibmuaria [1], King of Egypt, my brother, say: Thus says Tushratta, King of Mitanni [2], your brother. It is well with me. May it be well with you; with Kelu-Heba [3], my sister, may it be well; with your household, your wives, your sons, your nobles, your warriors, your horses, your chariots, and throughout your land may it be very well.
When I sat upon my father's
throne [4], I was still young, and Tuhi did evil to my land, and he
killed his lord. And, therefore, he did not treat me well, nor the one who was
on friendly terms with me. I, however, especially because of those evils, which
were perpetrated on my land, made no delay; but the murderers of Artashumara, my
brother [5], along with all that they had, I killed.
Because you were friendly with
my father, for this reason I sent and spoke to you, so that my brother might
hear of this deed and rejoice. My father loved you, and you loved my father
still more. And my father, because of his love, has given my sister to you. And
who else stood with my father as you did? The very next year, moreover, my
brother's . . . the whole land of Hatti. As the enemy came to my land, Teshub [6],
my lord, gave him into my hand, and I destroyed him. And not one of them
returned to his own land.
Behold, one chariot, two horses,
one male servant, one female servant, out of the booty from the land of Hatti I
have sent you. And as a gift for my brother, five chariots (and) five teams of
horses I have sent you. And as a gift for Kelu-Heba, my sister, one set of gold
pins, one set of gold earrings, one gold idol, and one container of "sweet
oil." I have sent her.
Behold, Keliya, my sukkal [7] along with Tunip-ibri, I have sent. May my brother quickly dispatch them so that they may quickly bring back word so that I may hear my brother's greeting and rejoice. May my brother seek friendship with me, and may my brother send his messengers so that they may bring my brother's greeting and I may receive them.
[1] Nibmuaria (or Nimmuaria):
Amenhotep III Nebmaatre
[2] Mitanni: Hurrian kingdom in what would be northern Syria
today
[3] Shuttarna had married his daughter Kelu-Heba to Amenhotep
III, Tushratta did later likewise by marrying his daughter Tadu-Heba to
Amenhotep. After Amenhotep III's demise she married Akhenaten.
[4] Father's throne: After the death of Shuttarna II his eldest
son Artassumara accessed to the throne but was toppled in a coup d'état and
Tushratta was enthroned.
[5] Artashumara, it is unknown whether he was a brother of
Tushratta or a brother king.
[6] Teshub, Hurrian storm-god
[7] sukkal, an official.