All tablets.

SAA 10 047. Conjunctions of Mars and Saturn (ABL 0079) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, our lord: your servants Balasî and Nabû-ahhe-eriba. Good health to the king, our lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, our lord! (6) Concerning the planets [Satur]n and [Mars] ... (Break) (r 1) There is (still) (a distance of) about 5 fi[ngers] left; it (= the conjunction) is not y[et] certain. Presently we keep observing and shall write to the king, our lord. It (= Mars) moves about a finger a day.

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 050. Sightings of Mercury are Unpredictable (ABL 0692) [from astrologers]

(1) [To the k]ing, [our] lord: your [servants] Balasî and [Nabû]-ahhe-eriba. [Good he]alth to the king, our [lord]! [May] Nabû and Marduk bless the king, our lord! (9) [Concer]ning the planet Mercury [about which] the king, our lord, [wr]ote to us: "I have heard it [can be seen in B]abylon" — [he who] wrote (this) to the king, our [lord], may really have observed it. His eye, however, must have fallen on it. (r 7) We ourselves have kept watch (but) we have not observed it. [On]e day it might be too early, [anoth]er day it might lie flat (in the horizon). [To see it], our [e]yes sho[uld] (liter…

Astronomy & Mathematics·Daily Life

SAA 10 051. Mistaking Mercury for Venus (ABL 0618) [from astrologers]

(1) To the ki[ng, my lord]: your servant [Balasî]. Good health [to the king, my lord]! May Nabû and Marduk bl[ess the king], my lord! (6) Concerning the planet [Venus] about which the king, my lord, [wrote to me: "I am] told that it has [become visible]" — (10) the man who wrote (thus) to the king, [my lord], is in (complete) ignorance. He does not k[now] the [...], the cycle [...], (or) the (synodic) revoluti[ons of Venus]. (17) (Break) (19) Venus is not y[et] vis[ible]. Tonight, as I am sending [this] message to the king, [my] lord, we [see] only Merc[ury]; we do not [see] Venus. Presently…

SAA 10 055. Earthquake in Sivan (ABL 1080) [from astrologers]

(Beginning lost) (2) [The earth] quaked [again ......]; the relevant interpretation is as follows: (5) If the earth quakes in the month Sivan (III), settlements in abandoned outlying regions will become settled again at the command of Illil. (r 2) Let them find out where the evil (portended by) the eclipse has materialized, and eradicate it. Somebody should g[o] and [perform (the rituals)] in Nine[veh]. (Rest destroyed or too broken for translation)

SAA 10 057. The King Should not be Afraid of the Eclipse (ABL 0691) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Balasî. Good health to the king, my lord! (4) The king sho[uld not] be afraid of this eclipse! The planets Jupiter, Venus and [Sa]turn were present [during the eclipse]. (10) [The gre]at [gods ......]... (Break) (r 1) [May ......] give [life of distant days, old age and fullness of life to the kin]g, [my] lo[rd]. (r 3) [Akkull]anu will read and explain [the rep]ort on the lunar [eclipse] [be]fore the king.

SAA 10 063. Full Moon on 14th Day and Conjunctions of Mars and Venus [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, [our] lo[rd: your servants Bal[asî] and Bamaya. Good he[alth] to the king, our lord! May Nabû and M[arduk] bl[ess] the king, our lord! (6) The moon and sun appeared together on the 14th day. (8) Before we saw the king, our lord's letter, we kept watch, wrote [a report], and gave it to [...]. He did not [......] mouth [.....] we sei[z]ed [...]. (16) Now then we shall watch the appearance (of the moon) in Tebet (X) and write to the king, our lord. (r 3) The bodyguard brought the letter on the 19th of Kislev (IX). (r 5) If the Pleiades flare up and go before Venus, in the…

SAA 10 067. Conjunction of Venus and Mercury (ABL 0647) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, [my lord]: your servant Nabû-[ahhe-eriba]. Good health to [the king, my lord]! May Nabû and Marduk bl[ess the king], my lord! (6) If it [suits the king], the apotropaic ritual [against evil] of any kind shou[ld be performed], and [the interpretation] of the observ[ation] of J[upiter] and Me[rcury] which, in the same [day], came forth in succession, should be written in (the text). It is said as follows: (r 1) "If the star of Marduk is black, in that year the as[akku]-disease [will rage (in the country)]." (r 4) They [are at a distance] and will keep away from each other; the…

SAA 10 071. Predicting Eclipses (ABL 1069) [from astrologers]

(Beginning lost) (1) We will look it up [...], and I shall send the king, my lord, a ta[blet] dealing with the halo of the moon. (6) Concerning the watch for a lunar eclipse about which the king, my lord, wrote to me — its watch will be (kept) [on the deci]ded [night]; (but) [whether] its [wat]ch should be during sunset, [we have not been able to de]cide. (r 1) (Break) (r 4) [Eclipses] cannot occur [dur]ing certain periods. [After] 4 months, there was a watch in Marchesvan (VIII), and now, in the month Kislev (IX), we will (again) keep watch. A[s the]se watche[s] (Remainder lost)

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…

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.

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)

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 10 212. Expiatory Rites for the ‘Farmer’ (ABL 0361) [from exorcists]

(1) To the 'farmer,' our lord: your servant(s) Adad-šumu-uṣur and Urad-Ea. Good health to the 'farmer,' our lord! May Nabû and Marduk b[le]ss the 'farmer,' our lord! (9) We have rites to perform ton[ight]: I shall perform one against "Loss of Flesh," and Urad-Ea another one before Enlil. We shall go to the qirsu. (r 5) Yesterday I performed the ritual of Bīt [r]i[mki]. I made a burnt-offering and we executed a purification ritual. (r 9) I have appointed an exorcist for the chanter who is here, and gave him the following orders: "For six days do likewise, performing the purification ritual afte…

SAA 10 224. No Eclipse of the Sun; Petition for Urad-Gula (ABL 0657) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, [my lo]rd: your servant Adad-[šumu-uṣur]. Good health to [the king, my] lord! May Aššur, Sin, Šamaš, [Bel], Nabû and Nergal very gr[eatly] bless the [king], my lord! (8) The sun did not make an eclipse, it passed by; Venus will reach Spica; the observation of Mercury is impending; there will be heavy rain and thunder. The king, my lord, should know (this). (16) Nobody has reminded (the king) about Urad-Gula, the servant of the king, my lord. He is dying of a broken heart, and is shattered (from) falling out of the hands of the king, my lord. The king, my lord, has revived many…

SAA 10 225. High Moon (ABL 0894) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, [my lo]rd: your servant Adad-[šumu-uṣur]. Good health to the king, [my lord]! May Aššur, Sin, Šamaš, [Nabû, Marduk] and the great gods of heaven [and earth] very greatly bless the king, my lord! (8) I observed the (crescent of the) moon on the 30th day, but it was high, too high to be (the crescent) of the 30th. Its position was like that of the 2nd day. If it is acceptable to the king, my lord, let the king wait for the report of the Inner City before fixing the date. (r 6) Perhaps the king, my lord, will say: "Why did you not decide (about the matter)?" — (r 9) am I [...]...…

SAA 10 238. Expelling an Evil Demon (ABL 0024) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Marduk-šakin-šumi. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (5) The crown prince is well; Šamaš-šumu-ukin is well. (7) Concerning the rites accompanying the incantation "Verily You are Evil" about which the king, my lord, wrote to me, they are performed to drive out the evil demon and epilepsy. (10) As soon as something has afflicted him (= the patient), the exorcist rises and hangs a mouse and a shoot of a thornbush on the vault of the (patient's) door. The exorcist dresses in a red garment and puts on a red cloak.…

SAA 10 261. Preparations for Rituals (ABL 0025) [from exorcists]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Marduk-šakin-šumi. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk b[less] the king, my lord! (6) Concerning the counterspells which we earlier [had to interrupt] and did not finish performing, we could now, with the king my lord's permission, con[tinue with them]. Because of the temperature, [the ritual] was not comp[leted ...] upon the [clothes] of the l[ater] people who [......]. (r 3) At the same time we could also perform th[ose] rites of the series Šur[pu] about which I said to the king, [my] lord: "We should perform them for [...]."