Neo-Babylonian decision records and related documents: Typological, procedural and comparative aspects

The goal of the present dissertation is to describe Neo-Babylonian legal procedure by studying legal teats relevant to the adjudicatory process. It seeks to answer the main question: How were cases adjudicated in the Neo-Babylonian period? Part I of the dissertation the Neo-Babylonian primary sources, which attest to the adjudicatory process, into different text-types. This detailed text typology results from an analysis of the different legal functions inherently reflected in the texts. It begins with a discussion of the decision records, which describe the adjudicatory process from its initiation through the final decision. The typological discussion then considers other text-types that are relevant to the adjudicatory process, such as preliminary protocols, depositions, and summonses. The dissertation then synthesizes the results of the text typology into a description of Neo-Babylonian adjudicatory procedure. To do so, it follows the adjudication of cases between private individuals as well as the prosecution of crimes against the Eanna. It describes the procedures that are undertaken and the Akkadian legal terminology associated with each procedure. The dissertation concludes by considering some directions for comparative study.