Old Assyrian Institutions

This study examines two Old Assyrian institutions and their economic importance: the City Hall at Assur and the Office of the Colony at Kanish. The City Hall at Assur had an important role in supplying luxury commodities such as lapis lazuli and iron to traders operating in Anatolia. Issues of credit and debt, officials and the markets and goods themselves are discussed. The Assyrian colony at Kanish likewise dealt with the sale of luxury goods for export and as a creditor for merchants. Derckson examines the possible location of the Office of the Colony, its main functions, the colony's finances, taxation, fund-raising, private enterprise and the value of goods traded, debt and the settlement of accounts. The final chapter looks at different groups within Assyrian society, especially the merchants belonging to the `big men' and those holding public office.