This marriage took place about 2200 B.C. The bride was a slave, and gained her freedom by marriage, and hence the penalty imposed upon her in case she divorced her husband is greater than that imposed on him in case he divorced her.) RIMUM, son of Shamkhatum, has taken as a wife and spouse Bashtum, the daughter of Belizunu, the priestess of Shamash, and daughter of Uzibitum. Her bridal present shall be 50 shekels of money. When she receives it she shall be free. If Bashtum to Rimum, her husband shall say, "You are not my husband," they's hall strangle her and cast her into the river. If Rimum to Bashtum, his wife, shall say, "You are not my wife", he shall pay ten shekels of money as her alimony. They swore by Shamash, Marduk, their king Shamshu- ilu-na, and Sippar. Contract for the Sale of Real Estate, Sumer, c. 2000 B.C. (This is a transaction from the last days of Sumerian history. It exhibits a form of transfer and title, which has a flavor of modern business method about it.) Sini-Ishtar, the son of llu-eribu, and Apil-lli, his brother, have bought one third Shar of land oneireland next the house of Sini-ishtar and next the house of Minanibone