Authority and Persuasion: Repetition and Paronomasia in the Mari Letter ARM 26.5

This essay explores rhetorically significant uses of repetition in the Mari letter ARM 26.5. After briefly introducing the intent of ARM 26.5 and overviewing selected uses of repetition in this missive, it treats the verbal form SU-U H-HU and considers its meaning as well as its significance as an instance of paronomasia. It also briefly reflects on the larger issue of persuasion and its relationship to authority during the period documented by the archives from Mari.