Letter of Friendship written in Akkadian by Queen Nefertari, the famous wife of Pharaoh Ramses II (r. 1279–1213 BCE), to Puduhepa, the wife of the Hittite king Hattusili III (r. 1275–1245 BCE (middle); 1267-1237 BCE (short)), between the years of 1275-1250 BCE. The terracotta tablet was found in Hattusa and currently resides in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara. It is an insightful source of information about the political relations of the era and reflects the good relations at the time between these two superpowers of the Ancient Near East, with both queens sending rich gifts to one another.
"The great Queen Naptera of the land of Egypt speaks thus: Speak to my sister Puduḫepa, the Great Queen of the Hatti land. I, your sister, be well! May your country be well. Now, I have learned that you, my sister, have written to me asking after my health. You have written to me because of the good friendship and brotherly relationship between your brother, the king of Egypt, The Great and the Storm God will bring about peace, and he will make the brotherly relationship between the Egyptian king, the Great King, and his brother, the Hatti King, the Great King, last for ever... See, I have sent you a gift, in order to greet you, my sister... for your neck (a necklace) of pure gold, composed of 12 bands and weighing 88 shekels, coloured linen maklalu-material, for one royal dress for the king... A total of 12 linen garments."
