All tablets.

SAA 10 103. Editorial Suggestions (CT 53 900) [from astrologers]

(1) To the ki[ng, my lord]: your servant [Akkullanu]. Good heal[th to the king], my lord! May [Nabû and Marduk] ble[ss] the k[ing, my lord]! (Break) (r 1) The king, my lord, should have a look; let them remove what is to be removed, and add what is to be added. (r 5) The king, my lord, would perhaps say: "Why did you not remind (me)?"

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

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…

Astronomy & Mathematics·Daily Life

SAA 10 106. Kanunu Festival (ABL 0678) [from astrologers]

(1) [To] the king, my lord: yo[ur servant] Akkullanu. [Good] health [t]o the king, my lord! [May] Nabû and Marduk [bl]ess the king, my lord! (Break) (r 2) The kanūnu will be [in] the evening.

SAA 10 107. Corruption in the Temple of Aššur (ABL 0429) [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! (6) The golden plate which disappeared from the Aššur temple has been seen in the hands of the stonecutter Qurdî-Nergal. Now the gold was for his eyes (i.e., meant for him). I am going to question the scribe now. (r 1) Let the king write again, and let them question him. The king should not write to Ṭab-šar-Sin, (for) he has been bribed by him. Instead let them question him as well: "To whom have you given bribes? Make up for the gold!" (r.e. 12) The king should not…

SAA 10 109. Omen of the Kingship of Esarhaddon (ABL 1216) [from astrologers]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...] now [......] (2) [...] and dates [......] (3) [...] but his messenger [did] not [......] (4) [...] beyond the kingship o[f ......] (5) [...] completed according to his word [......] with the king [...] (6) [I told] him: "You will take over the kingship." Let the king create her [...]. (7) I am Bel-ušezib, your servant and your dog who fears you [...]. (8) Why [did the king my lord sum]mon prophets and prophetesses w[hen I disclosed] the many [th]ings I had heard in Nineveh, (while) [I, who] blocked the exorcist with my mouth and [we]nt to pay homage to 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 10 115. Arrests and Interrogations (CT 54 170) [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] l[ord]! (3) (As) [I have] already once or twice [written] to the king, my lord, the men who [...] from [...], (5) their statement in Assyria [......] in Elam. (6) Ina-tešî-[eṭir ...] has been arrested. Nabû-naṣir, the pre[late ...] (Break) (r 2) Let him deliver [...] to us. (r 3) Let the archers assemble on the [...th] and take the oath [...]. (r 5) [......] (r 6) [...] Ina-tešî-eṭir [...] (r 7) [...]. Also, did he not speak with the king [...], saying: "He is of [...]?" (r.e. 9)…

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 10 118. Appointment in Borsippa (CT 54 441) [from astrologers]

(Beginning destroyed) (2) [......] there is concerning them (3) [......] they are getting scared (4) [......] Let all the [...] be put in confinement; [let] those who [are] guilty [be punished], but let the lord of kings par[don] those whose guilt is ...; and [let ......], whoever they are. (7) [......] a prelate who is acceptable to him (8) [......] should be placed (9) [......] should go (10) [......] let them ... and bless the king. (11) [......] the king [...] his guilt (b.e. 12') (Break) (15) [.....] the exorcist [NN], son of [NN] (r 1) [...] did not [summ]on [... ...-ki]tti-luddin, [and…

SAA 10 119. Saturn Near Moon (ABL 1183) [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 during your watch the moon [......]. (4) Saturn [......]. (5) If in the month of your watch the sun [......]. (6) If in the month of your watch the wind [......]. (7) If in the month of your watch in [......]. (8) If in the month of your watch [......]. (Break) (e. 1) [...] to do [......] (e. 2) [If] it is acceptable [to] the king, [......] to the king, [my lord].

SAA 10 120. Cow Gives Birth to Lion (CT 54 512) [from astrologers]

(Beginning destroyed or too fragmentary for translation) (11) When [...] appeared [...], I said to him: "If you [kill and] eat it, I shall notify the king." (r 2) [Now then] Sin-ereš has struck down the lion which the cow gave birth to and eaten it. None of his associates [knows about it]; he has killed the farmer and the scribe, saying: "Maybe [...] will give you on my behalf; [they may] testify for me in the presence of the king." (r 6) Now then the servants of Sin-ereš who saw it with their own eyes are standing by; let them testify and speak to the king. (r 8) [A ri]tual, be it [by] an exo…

SAA 10 122. Watching the Sky (ABL 0591) [from astrologers]

(1) [To] the king, [my] lord: yo[ur servant] N[abû']a. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (6) Concerning the watch about which the king, my lord, wrote to me, we shall keep it and write (to 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 10 126. New Moon on 30th Day (ABL 1156) [from astrologers]

(1) [To the king, my lord: yo]ur [servant Nabû'a]. May Nabû and [Marduk] bless the king, my lord! (6) We kept the watch on the 29th day; we saw the moon.

SAA 10 127. The Fox in the Well (ABL 0142) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû'a. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (7) On the 7th of Kislev (IX) a fox entered the Inner City, and fell into a well in the garden of the god Aššur. It was hauled up and killed.

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 10 129. (no title) (ABL 0073) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-iddina of Nineveh. [May Nabû] and Mar[duk] (Remainder lost)

SAA 10 130. A Note to the Palace Scribe (ABL 0062) [from astrologers]

(1) To the scribe of the palace, my lord: your servant Nabû-šumu-iddina. [Good health to] my lord! May [Nabû] and Marduk, [Ištar] of Nineveh and [Ištar] of Arbela bless my lord! May they keep you in good health, and may you constantly be happy! (r 4) The palace and the inhabitants of Nineveh are well; may Bel and Nabû also grant health to you!

SAA 10 131. Darkness at Noon (ABL 0908) [from astrologers]

(1) [To the king], my lord: [your servant] Nergal-šumu-iddina. The very best of [health] to the king, my lord! (5) The sun was [eclipsed on the 29]th, [in the m]iddle of the day. (8) [...] here (Remainder lost)

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 10 135. 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 10 136. (no title) (ABL 0982) [from astrologers]

(1) To the crown prince, my lord: your servant, the foreman of the collegium of ten (scribes) of Arbela. Good health t[o the crown prince, my lord]! [May] Nabû and Marduk [......] (Remainder lost)

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 10 139. Clouds, no Moon (ABL 0829) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: 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! (12) We kept watch on the 29th day; the place of observation was cloudy, we did not see the moon. (r 6) Month of Shebat (XI), 1st day, eponym year of Bel-Harran-šadu'a (650) .

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 10 142. New Moon on 30th Day (ABL 1438) [from astrologers]

(1) [To the king, my lord: your servant Issar-nadin-apli], the forem[an 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 the watch on the 29th day; the moon was seen.

SAA 10 143. We can either Teach Astronomy or do Corvee Work (ABL 0346) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, our lord: your servants, the scribes of Kilizi. Good health to the king, our lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king! (8) We watched the moon; on the 14th day the moon and the sun saw each other. (This means) well-being. (r 1) May Nabû and Marduk bless the king. Because of the ilku-duty and the corvée work we cannot keep the watch of the king, and the pupils do not learn the scribal craft.

SAA 10 144. Report on the Moon (ABL 1037) [from astrologers]

(1) [To the king, our lord]: your servants, the scribes of Kilizi. Good health to the king! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king! (7) [We] watch[ed] the moon [...] (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 10 150. Lunar Observations (CT 53 293) [from astrologers]

(Too fragmentary for translation)

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 10 153. Choosing a Day for a Visit (CT 53 768) [from astrologers]

(1) [To the king, my lord: your servant] Nabû-ahhe-šallim. [Good heal]th [to the king], my lord! [May Nabû and Mar]duk [very grea]tly [bless the king], my lord. (Break) (r 2) [The moment] is good [for ent]ering [into the presence of the king], my [lord]. [If the king], my lord, [says, let] him enter, and may he (= the king) see [him prosper]!

SAA 10 154. Messenger of Bel Goes with the King (ABL 0324) [from astrologers]

(1) To the queen mother, my lady: your servant Aplaya. May Bel and Nabû bless the queen mother, my lady! (5) Now then I am daily praying to Nabû and Nanaya for the maintenance of the life and the extension of the days of the king of the lands, my lord, and of the queen mother, my lady. (r 3) The queen mother, my lady, can be of peaceful mind. A gracious angel (lit. messenger) of Bel and Nabû has gone with the king of the lands, my lord.

SAA 10 155. A Tablet from the Time of Hammurapi (ABL 0255) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Ašaredu. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king of the lands, my lord! (5) The tablet which the king is using is [defe]ctive and not whole. Now then I have written and fetched from Babylon an ancient tablet made by King Hammurapi and an inscription from before King Hammurapi. (14) [Let] the king [...] the ritual according to [...] (Break) (r 2) From A[šaredu] the Youn[ger]. (r 4) Long [since] I [......]. They should believe me.

SAA 10 156. Appeal to the King (ABL 0743) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Ašaredu. May Nabû and Marduk [bless the king of the lands, my lord]! (Break) (r 2) Having received [...], he stood upon a table and said: "He will die; appeal to the king." (r 5) They eat my bread, and I ...

SAA 10 157. Averting the Evil of an Eclipse (CT 54 221) [from astrologers]

(1) [To the king, my lord: yo]ur [servant] Ašar[edu]. May [Nabû and Marduk for ... many] years establish [......] give [......] to [......]! (6) [......] the lord of kings [...] (7) [......] year [...] (Break) (r 1) [......] sign [...] (r 2) [......] (r 3) [......] heart to your presence [...] (r 4) [......] I about it [...] (r 5) [......] will get scared [...] (r 6) [......] will ave[rt] the [...] of the eclipse. (r 7) [......] very [...] to the king. (r 8) Ma[y the lord of kings] be everlasting! (r 9) [From Ašar]edu.

SAA 10 158. Years of Alulim (ABL 0796) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Aša[redu] the younger. (2) The moon will not make an eclipse; the king of the lands, my lord, can be happy. (4) May Bel and Nabû grant the years of Alu[lim to the king], my lord! (5) To whom [...] can I tell all the things [that the king, my lord], has given us? The king [......]. (8) Let them give me [.......] (9) to the king [......]

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 10 160. Twenty Able Scholars, Fit for Royal Service (CT 54 057+) [from astrologers]

(1) [To the ki]ng of the lands, the strong king, the king of the world, his lord: your servant Marduk-šapik-zeri, the dead body, the leprous skull, the constricted breath whom the king, my lord, raised up and appointed from among corpses. May I die as the substitute of the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the lord of kings, my lord! (6) I have now been kept in confinement for two years and, for fear of the king, my lord, though there have been good and bad portents for me to observe in the sky, I have not dared to report them to the king, my lord. (9) Now, however, afraid that it…

SAA 10 161. Petition Concerning a Lawsuit (ABL 0928) [from astrologers]

(1) [To] the king, my lord: your [ser]vant Munnabitu. Good health to the king, my lord! [May] Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (5) Aššur-eṭir, the son of Ṣillaya, who informed the king claiming that Nabû-apla-iddin has killed his servants, is speaking to the king falsely and untruly. He has devised a cunning plan: "[...] of the king [...] (Break) (r 2) not [......] (r 3) where [......] (r 4) has not [...]. The [...]s who [info]rmed with [him] have got afraid. (r 6) Though the king has decided their case, nobody is giving them anything, and they are worried about their lives. (r 9) Now,…

SAA 10 162. (no title) (CT 54 196) [from astrologers]

(1) [To the king of the world, my lord: your servant Na]bû-iqb[i. May Nabû and Marduk bless] the king of the world, [my lord]! (3) [Concerning] Erešu [..., about whom the king], my lord, [gave me] o[rders, ... he h]as entered [...], saying: "[...] (7) [......] Dari-[šarru] (8) [...... t]o the king, [my] lord (Rest destroyed)

SAA 10 163. Petition Concerning Lost Property (CT 54 463) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king of the world, my lord: your servant Nabû-iqbi. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king of the world, my lord! (5) (While) I am here keeping the king my lord's watch, the commandant of Cutha, Aš[ar]edu, has given my father's house to a nayālu tenant and ousted my brothers from t[heir] home. (11) When my brother was approaching Cutha, at his feet which [......] to Cutha (Break) (r 1) [...] said to my [...]: "I hate the country in which your brother is living, along with you." (r 4) My legal adversary who took 50 minas of silver and a mina of gold from my father's house, has been…

SAA 10 164. The Commandant is Robbing Me (CT 54 510) [from astrologers]

(1) [To the ki]ng of the wo[rld, my lord: your servant Nabû-iqbi. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king of the world, my lord]! (5) [......] (6) While [I am] keeping the king my lord's watch [here in Nineveh], the commandant of Cutha, Ašaredu, is giving my father's house to a nayālu tenant and turning [al]l my assets into his possession. (13) [x mi]nas of silver belonging to y[ou] (14) [......] of mine (15) [......] of the city [...] (Break) (r 1) ... [......] (r 2) He has seized Commagenean [......] in lieu of 15 m[inas ......]. (r 5) I speak t[o ......], but nobody [listens to me]. (r 6) [...]…

SAA 10 165. Petition Concerning Lost Property (ABL 0228) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Nergal-eṭir. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (6) For 6 years I have been guarding Aššur-etel-šamê-erṣeti-muballissu, and Bel and Nabû have provided good health. (Break) (r 2) (By) Bel and Na[bû ...], your gods: the king, my lord, is merciful. Let the king send a bodyguard with me, so I may go and bring out my brother and retrieve my fortune. Let me go and come back quickly! (r 9) Was it not when I was living in his country, in the land of Yašubu, that the son of Ahu-leʾi ...? Why [......] on the servants? (e.…