Abdihaqab

Abdihaqab lived in Ugarit, during the 13th century BC, and was a long-distance trader who made enormous profit for himself and the king, acquired large estates, held high offices, and gained lucrative concessions. He held the function of tamkāru, an official trader for royalty who gained many privileges and who also conducted private trade. Abdihaqab of Ugarit traded overseas for his own profit, but also for that of his prince, being rewarded with a hereditary landed estate. A tablet from the time of King Amistamru illuminates the feudal-like role of the tamkāru:

From the present day, Amistamru, son of Niqmepa , took the houses and fields of Abutenu and gave it to Abdihaqab, son of Shapidanu and his sons forever. And the service of the tamkārship he shall perform. Further: the service of the tamkārship is performed by Abdihaqab, nobody shall take away (these lands) from Abdihaqab and from his sons and grandsons forever. The seal of the great King. Iluramu, the scribe.

The Ugaritic monarchy and Abdihaqab in its employ commanded the fleets trading with Cyprus, Egypt, and Cilicia. Loading up grain from the mainland and shipping to Cyprus was a common occurrence. Given the special position of Ugarit as supplier and agent for this essential commodity the royal grain enterprise benefited from the organizational and internalization advantages which accrued to being monopolized by the king and shipped by his fleet.

Abdihaqab served both as royal vassal and, at the same time, as feudal overlord of lesser merchants or bidaluma. The lesser merchants collected royal taxes, skimming off a profit and sending the rest to the tamkāru.