Widows and Divorces as Free Women in Emar

A Study of the almattu-azibtu Formula

Abstract

This study deals with the almattu-azibtu formula, the enigmatic expression that a certain woman is almattu itti almanāti azibtu itti azbāti, "a widow with widows (and) a divorcée with divorcées," which is attested in six Emar texts of Syro-Hittite type. Through an analysis of these texts, the following three features are particularly noteworthy : (1) the women concerned are free women ; (2) but they are in a socio-economically inferior position ; also (3) the above formula is stated in the context of the premise of (or, in five texts, at the time of) their marriage. From the last point, we may conclude that the meaning of the almattu-azibtu formula is that after the marriage ends, either by the death of the husband or divorce, the woman is to be treated like other normal widows or divorces. Furthermore, we should note that this formula is used substantially to prescribe the release of a former slave in Emar VI 16. In another text, a free woman married to a slave (QVO 5-T 1) was, after his death, adopted by his owner, who presumably wanted to keep her under his control (QVO 5-T 2). From these points, we may understand the intention of the formula as prescribing that because they are free women, though in an inferior position, they shall not be treated as slaves. The same intention can be identified in the expression, kīma mārat Emar^ki šīt, "because she is a daughter of Emar," in RE 61, a text of Syrian type.