Abstract
It is known that Emar had customary law, as is shown by the use of the phrase kīma āli, “according to (the custom of) the city,” in eleven texts. Besides these, RE 61, a marriage contract of the Syrian type, is noteworthy for two unique expressions concerning women. The first is kīma mārāt Emarki, “according to (the custom for) the daughters of Emar” (l. 11), which shows that there was customary law for female citizens in Emar and that it regulated their marriages. The second is kīma mārat (uru.ki)Emarki šīt, “because she is a daughter of Emar” (ll. 17f., 21f.). An analysis of the text reveals that this clause is parallel to the almattu- azibtu formula attested in the texts of the Syro-Hittite type. The intent of both is to protect the legal status of free women who are in a socio-economically inferior position.
