---
title: Amarna Letter from Labayu
author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5628/amarna-letter-from-labayu/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Amarna Letter from Labayu

_Authored by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/)_

## Image File

[![Amarna Letter from Labayu](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/5628.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/5628.jpg)

## Image Caption

This clay tablet is part of the [Amarna letters](https://www.worldhistory.org/Amarna_Letters/). This letter was sent from Labayu, ruler of Shechem to the [Egyptian](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Egyptian/) [pharaoh](https://www.worldhistory.org/pharaoh/) [Amenhotep III](https://www.worldhistory.org/Amenhotep_III/) or [Akhenaten](https://www.worldhistory.org/Akhenaten/). Labayu denies accusation of treachery and failure to comply with the pharaoh's orders. He justifies his capture of a certain town by quoting a proverb "When an ant is struck, does not fight back and bite the hand of the man that struck it?" It is significant that Labayu, the leader of the Hapiru, is seen as the ruler of Shechem, a [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) which lay in the heart of the hill country, and which must have served as the power base for the Hapiru. The letter was written in Babylonian [cuneiform](https://www.worldhistory.org/cuneiform/) inscriptions; the [writing](https://www.worldhistory.org/writing/) is written between lines. 14th century BCE. From Tell el-[Amarna](https://www.worldhistory.org/Amarna/), [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/). (The British Museum, London).

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/MRCPian)
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/osama-shukir-muhammed-amin/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Amin, O. S. M. (2016, September 08). Amarna Letter from Labayu. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5628/amarna-letter-from-labayu/>
### Chicago
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Amarna Letter from Labayu." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 08, 2016. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5628/amarna-letter-from-labayu/>.
### MLA
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Amarna Letter from Labayu." *World History Encyclopedia*, 08 Sep 2016, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5628/amarna-letter-from-labayu/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 08 September 2016. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.