Petrie, William M. Flinders: Syria and Egypt from the Tell el Amarna letters (London, 1898)

THE SOUTH SYRIAN WAR 131

(256) ABDKHIBA to the king. Milkili and

Shuwardata have taken soldiers of Gazri,
Gimti, Qilti, and occupied the region of
Rubuti. Men of Qilti have taken Bit-
Ninib belonging to Urusalim. If no troops
are sent the land will belong to the Khabiri.
(W. 183 ; R.P. xvii. 72.)

These last three letters of Abdkhiba close
his correspondence. We see how he was
hemmed in more and more. Gezer, Ash-
kelon, and Lachish lost; the caravans
plundered at Ayalon; then Gimzu, joining
the enemy in taking Rabbath ; and a town
by Jerusalem taken. Arzawa named here
is probably Arzawaya, formerly of Mikhizi
by Hermon. Puuru, who was the officer in
Gaza, is most likely Pakhura, or Bikhura,
who was the officer in northern Palestine
somewhat earlier. It seems likely that
Abdkhiba himself joined the Khabiri at
last, as most of these princes and chiefs
did when they saw that help could not be
had from Egypt.

39. Loss of South Palestine.
The following letter is from a man other-
wise unknown.

(257) ADDU-ASHARIDU to the king. Two

sons of Lapaya rebel, and desired A. to