In this category the division is between royal gifts and votive gifts of private individuals. Both groups are similar in nature, the primary difference being that the private votive donations tend to be legal texts whereas the royal gifts follow the pattern of other royal inscriptions, particularly temple building inscriptions, most of which are also votive in nature. For that reason, the votive donations included here have been limited to gifts of land or persons.
Both groups follow the do ut des motif that characterizes votive gifts in general: the gift is given to the god so that the god will give the donor gifts in return. The gifts requested are long life, good health, victorious campaigns and the like. Private votive donations are frequently made "for the life of the king" (e.g., nos. 90, 93, 96).
Laura Kataja & Robert Whiting
Laura Kataja & Robert Whiting, 'Votive and Other Gifts', Grants, Decres and Gifts of the Neo-Assyrian Period, SAA 12. Original publication: Helsinki, Helsinki University Press, 1995; online contents: SAAo/SAA12 Project, a sub-project of MOCCI, 2020 [http://oracc.org/saao/saa12/VotiveandOtherGifts/]