All tablets.

SAA 10 072. An Ignoramus Sights Venus (ABL 1132+) [from astrologers]

(1) [To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-ahhe-eriba. Good health] to the king, my lord! May [Nabû and Marduk] bless the king, my [lord]! (6) [He who] wrote to the king, my lord, "The planet Venus is visible, it is visible [in the month Ad]ar (XII)," is a vile man, an ignoramus, a cheat! [And he who] wrote to the king, my lord, "Venus is [...] rising in the constellation A[ries]," [does] not [speak] the truth (either). Venus is [not] yet visible! (15) Why does one so [deceitf]ully send such (a report) to the ki[ng, my lo]rd? "Venus is stable in the mor[ning]": (this) signifies…

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 078. Predicting an Eclipse (ABL 0869) [from astrologers]

(Beginning lost) (1) [Concerning the watch for a lunar eclipse] about which the king, [my lo]rd, wrote to me, its watch will be (kept) tonight, in the morning watch. The eclipse will occur during the morning watch. (r 1) The watch is (kept) [for the safety] of the king, my [lord]; (all) will be well with the king, my lord.

Astronomy & Mathematics·Daily Life

SAA 10 079. Ominous Sunrise (ABL 0405) [from astrologers]

(1) [To the king], my [lord]: [your servant Nabû-ahhe]-eriba. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (6) Concerning the sunrise about which the king, my lord, wrote to me, it is said (in the tablets) as follows: (9) If the glow of the day is like smoke, Adad will cause destruction in the springtime. (12) If the day is gloomy and rides the north wind: devouring by Nergal, the cattle will diminish. (15) The day (means) the sun. (16) Tomorrow we shall not see the sun when it sets: it will set amidst a reddish glow. (r 2) Dust storms whirled. (r 4) (That is…

SAA 10 081. Visibility of Stars (ABL 1449) [from astrologers]

(Beginning lost) (1) [...] the stars Sirius, Antares, Vega — these are the former ones which have already been visible. The planet Mercury has not yet appeared.

SAA 10 084. Occultation of Jupiter (ABL 0565) [from astrologers]

(1) [To the king, my lord]: [your] servant [Akkullanu]. Good heal[th to the king], my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! May they give you the best of health as well as physical well-being! (9) Jupiter stood behind the moon; here is the relevant interpretation: (12) If Jupiter stands [behind the moon]: there [will be] hostility in the land. (14) Oh king, my lord, [this is] a m[atter] concerning us. [This] sign [pertains] t[o the king], my lord. It means evil [for Subartu]. Presently I am waiting for [the occultation] and will [look up] the word [about it]; if it en[ters] the…

SAA 10 088. Venus Approaching Cancer (RMA 212A) [from astrologers]

(Beginning lost) (r 1) Per[haps the king, my lord, will say]: "[......]." Venus [is approaching] the constellation [Cancer]; here [is the relevant interpretation]: (r 5) If the Goat star [approaches Cancer: there will be] peace and reconciliation [in the country]; the gods [will have] mercy on the country; [empty storage bins] will become full, [the crops of the country will prosper; the sick [of the country will recover]; pregnant women [will carry their foetuses to full term; the great] gods [will abandon the sanctuaries of the country; the temples of the great gods will be restored]. (Break…

SAA 10 094. Full Moon on 15th Day; Reminder Concerning Offerings (ABL 0050) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, [my lo]rd: your servant Akkul[lanu]. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! May I hear (about) the king, my lord's health and well-being in the answer to my letter. (10) Concerning the observation of the moon and the sun, [her]e is the relevant interpretation: (12) If on the 14th of Tebet (X) [the moon] is not seen [with the s]un: [there will be deaths], and the god will eat. (r 1) [If on the 15th day the moon and the sun are seen together: a strong enemy will raise his weapons against the country, and the enemy] will demolish [the city…

Religion & Myth·Astronomy & Mathematics

SAA 10 100. Morning First of Mars in Iyyar, Eclipse of the Sun (ABL 0679+) [from astrologers]

(1) [To] the king, my lord: [your servant] Akkullanu. Good health to the king, my lord! May [Nabû] and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (5) [M]ars has appeared in the path of the Enlil stars at the feet of Perseus; it is faint and of a whitish colour. I saw it on the 26th of Iyyar (II) when it had (already) risen high and I am subsequently sending the relevant interpretation to the king, my lord: (9) [If] Mars approaches Perseus, there will be a rebellion in the Westland; brother will slay his brother; the palace of the ruler will be plundered; the treasure of the country will go over to…

SAA 10 104. Meteor, Dark Sunrise, Mars Stationary in Capricorn (ABL 1134) [from astrologers]

(Beginning lost) (1) If [a star] flashes [and goes down in the e]ast: an enemy host will attack the cou[ntry, and the enemy will ravage the country]. (3) If a star flashes in the daytime: there will be [an enemy attack] against the country, and the enemy will (victoriously) [wan]der around in the country. (5) On the 29th of Iyyar (II), from sunrise until the day had advanced [x hours], the radiance of the sun was diminished. Its interpretation is as follows: (9) [If the sun ri]ses and its light does not get stronger: Šamaš is angry with the king of the land. (11) If the sun is dark: the king…

SAA 10 105. Omens from Full Moon on 15th Day (CT 53 241) [from astrologers]

(Beginning lost) (2) If the moon at its appearance [is ...]: the ruler [will have] no opponent. (4) The interpretation of the observation [of the moon and the sun] is [as follows]: (5) If the moon is not seen with the sun [on the 14th] of Tam[muz (IV)]: the king will be shut up [in his palace]. (7) If [the moon] and sun [are seen] together on the 15th day: a powerful enemy will raise [his] weapons [against the land] and destroy the sanctuaries [of the great gods]. (11) Furthermore, from [the month Nisan (I)], the beginning of the pr[evious] year, (when) the gods s[aw] each other, until the…

SAA 10 111. Meteors; Invading Mannea (ABL 1237) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king of the lands, my lord: your servant B[el-ušezib]. May Bel, Nabû and Šamaš bless the king, my lord! (3) If a star flashes like a torch from the east and sets in the west: the main army of the enemy will fall. (5) If a flash appears and appears again in the south, makes a circle and again makes a circle, stands there and again stands there, flickers and flickers again, and is scattered: the ruler will capture property and possessions in his expedition. (9) If the king has written to his army: "Invade Mannea," the whole army should not invade; (only) the cavalry and the…

SAA 10 113. Saturn and Cancer in Lunar Halo; Events in Mannea (ABL 1109+) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king of the lands, my lord: your servant Bel-uš[ezib]. May Bel, Nabû and Šamaš bless the king, my lord! (3) If the sun stands in the halo of the moon: in all lands (people) will speak the truth; the son will speak the truth with his father. (5) — Saturn stands in the halo of the moon. (6) If the moon is surrounded by a halo, and Cancer stands in it: the king of Akkad will extend the life. (8) If the moon is surrounded by a river: there will be great floods and cloudbursts. (9) — Cancer stands in the halo of the moon. (10) You are a strong, righteous and able king. [When] in the…

SAA 10 114. Eclipse Hidden by Gods (ABL 0895) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king of the lands, my lord: your servant Bel-u[šezi]b. May Bel, Nabû and Šamaš bless the king, my lord! (3) (If) an eclipse occurs but is not seen in the capital, that eclipse has passed by. The capital is the city where the king resides. (5) Now there are clouds everywhere; we do not know whether the eclipse took place or not. (7) Let the lord of kings write to Assur and all the cities, to Babylon, to Nippur, to Uruk and Borsippa; maybe they observed it in these cities. The king should constantly listen. (r 1) Many signs of the eclipse came in Adar (XII) and in Nisan (I), and I…

SAA 10 116. Full Moon on 14th Day; Suggestions for Appointments (ABL 1344+) [from astrologers]

(1) [To] the king of the lands, my lord: your servant B[el-ušezib]. [May Bel, Nabû and] Šamaš [bless] the king, [my] lord! (3) [... on the 4th of Shebat (XI) [...] (4) [......] on the 14th day the moon [was seen] with [the sun]. (5) [If on the 14th day the moon and sun are seen] together: [reliable speech; the land will become hap]py; the gods [will remember] Ak[kad favorably]; joy will be set up among people; [the king will become happy]; [the cattle of] Akkad [will] lie [in the steppe] undisturbed. (10) [If the moon and sun are in balance]: reliable [spe]ech [will be placed in the mouth of…

SAA 10 117. Occultation of Perseus (CT 54 258) [from astrologers]

(1) [To the king of the lands, my lord: your servant] Bel-ušezib. May [Bel, Nabû and Šamaš] bless [the king, m]y [lord]! (3) [On the xth Perseus] approached the moon. (4) [If Perseus comes close to the top of the moon and stands there]: [the king] will go in triumph. (5) [......] his land will become extended. (Break) (r 2) [...... s]tand [...] (r 3) [......] will release and [...] some[body] (r 4) [......] Sin-eriba (r 5) [......] of Iddin-ahi, the criminal (r 6) [......] and [wrote] to the king about him (r 7) [......] saw and somebody (r 8) [......] he intends to (r 9) [......] the king…

SAA 10 123. Full Moon on 14th Day (ABL 0141) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû'a. May Aššur, Šamaš, Bel and Nabû bless the king, my lord, and let the king, my lord, attain his desire! (r 1) We kept the watch; on the 14th day the moon and the sun saw each other.

SAA 10 124. Full Moon on 14th Day (ABL 0818) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû'a. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (6) We kept the watch; on the 14th day the moon and the sun saw each other.

SAA 10 125. Full Moon on 15th Day (ABL 1137) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû'a. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (7) We kept the watch; on the 15th day the moon and the sun saw each other.

SAA 10 128. Eclipse of the Moon (ABL 0816) [from astrologers]

(1) To the 'farmer,' my lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-iddina, the foreman of the collegium of ten (scribes) of Nineveh. May Nabû and Marduk bless the 'farmer,' my lord! (8) On the 14th day we were watching the moon; the moon was eclipsed.

SAA 10 132. The Moon did not Make an Eclipse (ABL 1381) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Nergal-šumu-iddina. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (6) Concerning the watch about which the king, my lord, wrote to me, the moon let the eclipse pass by, [it did not occ]ur. (12) May [Sin an Š]amaš appoint a gu[ardian of he]alth and life for the king, my lord.

SAA 10 134. Report on a Lunar Eclipse (ABL 0882) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Babu-šumu-iddina of Calah. Go[od health] to the king, my lord! May [Nabû and] Marduk bless [the king, my lord]! (7) [The moon was e]clipsed [on the ...th day, during] the evening watch; [...] culminated, [the ... wind] was blowing. (11) May [Sin and] Šamaš appoint [a guardian] of health [and] life for the king, my lord!

SAA 10 135. Full Moon on 15th Day, no Eclipse (ABL 0881) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Babu-šumu-iddina. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk very greatly bless the king, my lord! (7) Concerning the watch about which the king, my lord, wrote to me, neither the moon nor the eclipse were seen. May they appoint a guardian of [he]alth and life for the king, my lord! (r 3) On the 15th day the god appeared with the god.

SAA 10 137. Eclipse of the Moon in the Morning (ABL 0432) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant, the foreman of the collegium of ten (scribes) of Arbela. Good health to the king, my lord! [May] Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (9) An eclipse (of the moon) occurred [on the 1]4th of [Sivan (III)], during the morning watch.

SAA 10 138. Clouds (ABL 0423) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Iss[ar-nad]in-apli, the foreman of the collegium of ten scribes of Arbela. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (11) We kept watch on the 29th day; [the place of ob]servation [was cloudy], we did not see the moon. (r 3) Month of Adar (XII), 1st day, eponym year of Sagab (651)

SAA 10 141. No Moon (ABL 0671) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, [my lo]rd: your servant Issar-[nadin-apli], the foreman of the collegium of ten (scribes) of Arbela. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû, Marduk, and Ištar of Arbela bless the king, my lord! (11) We kept watch on the 29th day; we did not see the moon. (r 3) Month of Tammuz (IV), 2nd day, eponym year of Belšunu, governor of Hindanu (648)

SAA 10 145. 30th Day Turned ‘Long’ (CT 53 045) [from astrologers]

(Beginning lost) (1) [May Nabû and Marduk bles]s [the king], my lo[rd]! (3) They watched the moon; the clouds were dense, and the moon was not seen. The 30th day became 'long.'

SAA 10 146. New Moon Observed Despite Clouds (CT 53 234) [from astrologers]

(Beginning lost) (1) [May Nabû and Marduk bles]s [the king]! (2) We kept wa[tch on the 29th day]; there were clouds, and we did not see the moon. T[od]ay, on the 30th, there were c[lou]ds again; when they di[spersed], we saw [the mo]on. [It] was [(not) like the] moon of the 29[th day]. Three days [...]. (r 1) Per[haps ...] ... [...] (Remainder lost)

SAA 10 147. Eclipse Observed Despite Clouds (ABL 1392) [from astrologers]

(Beginning lost) (1) Concerning the watch for the eclipse about which the king, our lord, wrote — we kept the watch; the clouds were dense. On the 14th day, during the morning watch, the clouds dispersed, and we were able to see. The eclipse took place. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 10 148. Partial Solar Eclipse at Sunrise (ABL 0470) [from astrologers]

(1) May [Nabû and Marduk] bless the k[ing]! (3) A certain Akkullanu has written: "The sun made an eclipse of two fingers at the sunrise. There is no apotropaic ritual against it, it is not like a lunar eclipse. If you say, I'll write down the relevant interpretation and send it to you."

SAA 10 149. Description of a Lunar Eclipse (ABL 1444) [from astrologers]

(Beginning lost) (1) [May] N[abû and Marduk bless] the king, [my lord]! (3) A lunar eclipse took place on the 14th of Sivan (III), [during] the morning watch. It started in the south (of the moon) and cleared up in the south. Its right side was eclipsed. (r 1) It was eclipsed in the area of the constellation Scorpius. The shoulder of the constellation Panther was culminating. An eclipse of two fingers (magnitude) took place.

SAA 10 151. Clouds; No Crescent Seen (CT 53 915) [from astrologers]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [There were] clouds. We did not [see] the moon here, probably because of the cl[ouds]. The king, my lord, should send messeng[ers] to the Inner City and Arbela, find out about the m[atter], and quickly [inform] the king, my lord. (r 3) The report of Calah [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 10 152. Rising of Aries (CT 53 945) [from astrologers]

(Beginning lost) (1) [Concerning ... about which the king wrote]: "What (month) do you h[ave wh]en it became vis[ible]?" — [it appeared] in the month Adar (XII). And as to what was s[aid to the king]: "[It is visible] in the constellation Ar[ies]" — Aries will app[ear] in the east [either] tomorrow or the day af[ter tomorrow]. It is not Mercury. (Mercury) itself is visible [as evening star]. (Remainder lost)

SAA 10 159. Eclipse Update (ABL 0765) [from astrologers]

(1) [To the king], my lord: your servant Bel-naṣir. (2) [In Tishri (VII)] there was no watch for the moon. (3) [On] the 28th of [Tishri (VII)] the sun made an eclipse; in Marchesvan (VIII) the moon [let] the eclipse [pass] by. (5) Now then, in Nisan (I), (6) [... pr]evious [...] (7) [... pr]evious [...] (Break) (r 1) [... on the x]th [...] (r 2) [...] I shall not write (r 3) [...] If (r 4) [... ga]thered (r 5) The king should dispel [unfavourable] thoughts from his heart.

SAA 10 168. Eclipse Predicting the Fall of the Westland (ABL 0137) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king of the lands, my lord: your servant Zakir. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king of the lands, my lord! May Bel and Nabû keep you alive for long days of happiness and physical well-being, and may they deliver your enemy into your hands! (6) The moon made an eclipse on the 15th of Tebet (X), in the middle watch. It began in the east and shifted to the west — a decidedly evil portent concerning the king of the Westland and his country. (11) Its evil is definite; its evil will befall the king of the Westland and his country. If there is an enemy of the king, my lord, in the West,…

SAA 10 170. Predicting an Eclipse of the Sun (ABL 0477) [from astrologers]

(1) Concerning the solar eclipse about which the king wrote to me: "Will it or will it not take place? Send a definite word!" (6) An eclipse of the sun, like one of the moon, never escapes me; should it not be clear to me and should I have failed (to observe it), I would not find out about it. (r 5) Now since it is the month to watch the sun and the king is in the open country, for that reason I wrote to the king: "The king should pay attention, whether it occurs or not."

SAA 10 172. Mars Approaching Libra; Mercury in Capricorn (ABL 1113) [from astrologers]

(beginning destroyed) (1) "Mars has become visible; why have you not written?" — (4) Mars was sighted in the month of Ab (V); now it has approached within 2.5 spans (= 3°30') of Libra. As soon as it has come close to it, I shall write its interpretation to the king, my lord. (r 5) What was sighted now is Mercury in Capricorn; (the sighting) of Mars [...] (Rest destroyed)

Religion & Myth·Daily Life

SAA 10 197. Blessing the King (ABL 0007) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Adad-šumu-uṣur. Good health to the king, my lord! (4) The charge of the 'Lady of Cults' is doing very well; the king, my lord, can be very happy indeed. (7) May Aššur, Sin, Šamaš, Adad, Nu[sku], Jupiter, Venus, Marduk, [Zarpanitu], Nabû, Tašmetu, Sa[turn], Mercury, Lady [of Nineveh], Lady of Kidmuri, [Lady] of Arbela, Ninurta, [Gula], Nergal and Laṣ, the great gods of heaven and earth, the gods dwelling in Assyria, [the gods] dwelling in Akkad, and all the gods of the world [very greatly bless the ki]ng, [my lord], and may they give [the king], my [lord,…

SAA 08 012. New Moon on 30th Day [lunar]

(1) If the moon beco[mes visible] in Tebet (X) on the 30th day: the Ahlamû will dev[our] Subartu; a foreigner will rule the Westland. (5) From the Chief Scri[be].

SAA 08 022. (no title) [unclassifiable]

(1) [If the moon and sun] are in balance: [the land] will become stable; [reli]able [speech] will be placed in the mouth of people; [the king of the land] will make the throne last long. (5) [If the Field star] comes close [to] the front of the moon and stands (there): [......], variant: there will be an attack of the enemy. (7) [......] brother [...] (Break) (r 1) [...] watch [...] (r 2) [The]ir [apotropaic ritual] should be performed. Let them give orders [...], let him perform [the ritual]. (r 4) [From the Ch]ief scribe.

SAA 08 029. Regulus Bright (RMA 198) [planetary]

(1) [If Re]gulus carries radiance: [the king of Akkad] will exercise complete dominion. (3) — [......] and stands with Regulus. (5) [From] Issar-šumu-ereš.

SAA 08 072. Moon in Pleiades [lunar]

(1) If the Pleiades come close to the front of the moon and stand there: the great gods will ... for the better understanding of the land. (4) Sin interceded for the king with the gods; the king is safe. (7) If the Field star comes close to the front of the moon and stan[ds] there: in that [year] ... [...], variant: [there will be] an attack of [the enemy]. (r 2) The Pleiades are (equivalent to) [Mars]; this night the moon approa[ched ...]. (r 5) From Nabû-ahhe-eriba.

SAA 08 113. Mercury Sighted in Scorpius (Kislev) (Nv.4) [planetary]

(1) If the moon becomes visible on the 1st day: reliable speech; the land will become hap[py]. (3) If the day reaches its normal length: a reign of long days. (5) If the moon at its appearance we[ars] a crown: the king will reach the highest rank. (7) Mercury became visible in the east. (8) If Scorpius is black: therein will be reconciliation and peace in the land. (r 1) [If a planet] becomes visible within a month: rain and flood. (r 2) [If a] fog rolls [in Kislev (IX): severity of] cold spells. (r 4) [Cold spells (mean)] cold. (r 5) [If] there is continually fog [in the land: the dynasty of…

SAA 08 125. Mars Near Saturn (RMA 229B) [planetary]

(1) [If a strange star] comes close to a planet: [......] cattle of the land will perish. (3) [If a strange star] comes close to it: the cattle of the land will perish; [......] will prosper. (Break) (r 1) [......] ... [...] Saturn; i.e. [Mar]s comes close to Saturn. (r 4) [From] Bulluṭu.

SAA 08 133. New Moon on 1st Day (Choix 21) [lunar]

(1) We kept watch on the 30th day; we saw the moon. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king my lord. (r 1) From Nabû'a of Assur.

SAA 08 162. Auspicious Days in Iyyar (LAS 332) [calendrical]

(1) The 10th day: at court, favorable. (2) The 12th day: in the street, favorable. (3) The 15th day: perfect seed. (4) The 16th day: joy of heart. (5) The 18th day: convert the cleaned (barley). (6) The 20th day: let him kill a snake: he will reach the first rank. (7) The 22nd day: at court, favorable; (good for) undertaking of an enterprise. (8) The 24th day: joy of heart. (r 1) The 26th day: (good) news. (r 2) The 27th day: completely favorable. (r 3) The 28th day: let him kill a snake. (r 4) The 30th day: a good omen. (r 5) From Adad-šumu-uṣur.

Religion & Myth·Astronomy & Mathematics

SAA 08 163. Ritual before Venus and Sirius (RMA 256) [planetary]

(1) As to the ritual about which the king my lord spoke, we shall perform it this night of the 22nd day before Venus and Sirius, (and) the chanters will also perform (their ritual). (r 1) If Adad thunders in the middle of Taurus: the king will conquer a country not belonging to him.

SAA 08 171. New Moon on 30th Day (RMA 081B) [lunar]

(1) [If the moon is seen in Elul (VI) on the 30th day: dispersal] of Su[bartu]. (3) [If the moon] is seen on the 30th [day]: [there will b]e frost; variant: rumor of the enemy. (5) From Bamaya.

SAA 08 194. Full Moon on 13th Day (RMA 123A) [lunar]

(1) [If on the 1]3th day the moon [and sun] are seen together: (unreliable speech; there will be bad ways in the land); [the step of the enemy will be in the land]; the enemy will [plunder] in the land. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 08 286. (no title) (RMA 277S) [unclassifiable]

(1) [If ...'s rising] is dark: the king [......] will be affec[ted ......] ... the king of [......]. (Break) (r 1) [......] ... [......]. (r 2) [......] the sun ... [......] ...... [......]. (r 4) [From Nergal]-eṭir.

SAA 08 383. Mars and Saturn in Lunar Halo (RMA 107) [planetary]

(1) If the moon is surrounded by a halo, and [two stars stand in the halo with the moon]: a reign of [long] days. (3) If the sun [stands] in the halo [of the moon: there will be truth in the land], the son [will speak the truth with his father; universal] peace. (6) — The moon was surrounded by a halo [and Saturn stood in it]. (7) If the moon is surrounded by a halo, and [Mars stands in it]: loss of cattle; in [all lands] cultiva[ted fields] and dates will not prosper; the Westland will diminish. (r 1) If the moon (is surrounded) by a halo, and the Yoke star stands in it: the king will die,…