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An Old Babylonian Adoption Contract from Tell Harmal by Maria deJ. Ellis is a Arts and Humanities article available to read on EtoBox.

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Adoption contracts in the Old Babylonian period contain a number of standard clauses. The contracts, their clauses, and their implications for the social system and familial organization of the Old Babylonian period were discussed at length by Martin David.' The basic clauses of a standard adoption contract may be summarized as follows2: (1) statement of adoption. This usually appears in the form 'PN, has taken PN2 (from PN3, his/her parent or sibling) in adoption (ana mairutim lequ),' but the simpler form 'PN, is the son/daughter of PN2 (PN, DUMU(.SAL) PN2)' also occurs. (2) stipulations concerning renunciation of the adoption contract by either party. The renouncing child usually is to lose his freedom and be sold as a slave. Parents may incur a pecuniary penalty. (3) oath. The contract may in addition contain a clause concerning the status of the adopted child should the adoptive parent(s) acquire natural (or additional adopted) children.3 In the case of the adoption of an infant it may be specified who shall rear the child, and who shall pay for its upbringing.4 One reason for entering into an adoption contract was the childlessness of the parents, and the consequent need for a

Who reads An Old Babylonian Adoption Contract from Tell Harmal?

Author

Maria deJ. Ellis

Publisher

American Schools of Oriental Research; The University of Chicago Press; University of Chicago Press (ISSN 1557-5594)

Published

1975

Language

EN

Field

Arts and Humanities (Social Sciences)