Another Failed Reform?

Abstract

The Hittite Law Collection has seen multiple editions and extensive scholarly analysis. Of the 29 manuscripts in the series “if a man,” one – KBo. 6.4 (CTH 291.III) – conveys a text that markedly diverges from the others. The document referred to as Parallel Text (PT) comprises roughly 50 paragraphs that closely align with the Standard Text of the Law Collection. However, the Parallel Text has notable discrepancies in substance, and certain aspects indicating that it is an expansion of the Standard Text can be discerned. This study intends to examine the similarities and contrasts between the Standard Text and the Parallel Text, while also highlighting the distinctive features of the latter. I will specifically address whether the text signifies an unsuccessful reform and examine the reasons for its failure. Additionally, I will contemplate the purpose(s) and provenance of the Parallel Text, as well as its significance in the Überlieferungsgeschichte of the manuscripts of the Hittite Law Collection.