All tablets.

SAA 08 418. Conquest of Kush and Egypt (RMA 022) [lunar]

(1) [If] the moon becomes visible on the 1st day: [reli]able [speech]; the land will become happy. (2) If the day reaches [its] normal [length]: a reign of long days. (3) If the moon at its appearance [wears a crown: the kin]g will reach the highest rank. (4) When Aššur, Šamaš, Nabû, and Marduk gave Kush and Egypt into the hands of the king [my lord], they plundered them [...] with the troops of the king my lord. [Gold and silver from] their treasury, as much as there was, they brought [into] your royal abode [Ni]neveh [and distributed] booty from them to his servants. (10) In the same way,…

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 8

SAA 08 421. New Moon on 1st Day (RMA 019) [lunar]

(1) If the moon becomes visible on the 1st day: reliable speech; the land will become happy. (3) If the day reaches its normal length: [a reign] of long days. (5) [......] protective deity has sent a (message of) [well-b]eing to the king my lord. (r 1) May Aššur, Šamaš, Nabû, and Marduk grant to the king my lord day after day, month after month, year after year happiness, health, joy and rejoicing, (and) a stable throne forever, for long days and many years! (r 9) From Nabû-iqbi.

Religion & Myth·Astronomy & Mathematics

SAA 08 422. New Moon on 1st Day (RMA 019A) [lunar]

(1) [If the moon] becomes visible on the 1st day: [reliable speech]; the land will become happy. (3) [If the day] reaches its [norm]al length: [a reign] of long [day]s. (Break) (r 1) May (the gods) grant to the king my lord [day after day, month] after month, [year] after year[ happ]iness, health, joy, rejoicing, (and) a [sta]ble throne forever, for long [day]s and many years!

SAA 08 423. New Moon on 1st Day (RMA 020) [lunar]

(1) [If the moon] becomes visible on the 1st day: reliable speech; the land will become happy. (3) If the day reaches its normal length: a reign of long days. (5) If it hails in Shebat (XI): plenty for the people, rising of business. (r 2) Aššur, Šamaš, Nabû, and Marduk have granted a stable throne forever, for [long] days, to the king [my lord]. (r 7) [From] Nabû-iqbi.

SAA 08 428. Cancer in Lunar Halo (RMA 110) [planetary]

(1) If the moon is surrounded by a halo, and Cancer stands in it: the king of Akkad will extend the life; a cloudburst will rain down. (r 1) Aššur, Šamaš, Nabû, and Mard[uk] have granted life fo[rev]er, for long days to the king my lord. (r 5) From Nabû-iqbi.

SAA 08 429. Cancer and Planets in Lunar Halo (RMA 112B) [planetary]

(1) [If the moon] if surrounded by a halo, [and C]ancer stands in it: the [king] of Akkad will extend the life. (4) [If the moon] is surrounded by a halo, and two stars [stand in the halo] with the moon: [a reign] of long days. (7) — Planets stand in the halo [of the moon]. (r 1) [Aššur, Šamaš], and [Marduk] have gra[nted happiness] forever (and) [long] days to the king my lord. (r 4) [From] Nabû-iqbi.

SAA 08 430. Moon in Scorpius (RMA 213) [lunar]

(1) [If] Scorpius comes close to the front of the moon and stands there: the reign of the king will become long; an enemy will attack, but his fall will take place. (r 1) Aššur, Šamaš, and Marduk have granted to the king my lord a stable throne forever, for long days. (r 6) From Nabû-iqbi.

Astronomy & Mathematics·Religion & Myth

SAA 08 435. (no title) [unclassifiable]

(1) [If ...] of a city is like pouring of oil: [the god] of the city is at peace with his city. (3) [...] red rain [wil]l fall; [......] is not cloudy. (6) [The god] of the city is very much at peace with the king my lord. The [ki]ng my lord can be very glad. (r 3) From Nabû-iqbi.

SAA 08 436. (no title) (RMA 277AA) [unclassifiable]

(1) If [......] (2) to star [......] (3) the king of Akkad [......]. (4) From Nabû-iqbi.

SAA 08 442. New Moon on 30th Day (RMA 073) [lunar]

(1) If the moon becomes visible in Ab (V) on the 30th day: dispersal of Akkad. (3) May the king of the world, my lord, not abandon me! Every day I approach the king because of my hunger, and now he assigned me to (making) bricks, saying: "Make bricks!" May the king my lord not abandon me so that I do not (have to) die! (r 7) From Ṭabiya.

SAA 08 445. New Moon on 1st Day (RMA 015) [lunar]

(1) If the moon becomes visible on the 1st day: reliable speech; the land will become happy. (3) If the day reaches its normal length: a reign of long days. (5) If in Tammuz (IV) on the 14th day the moon and sun are seen together: (......). (r 1) To the king my lord, your servant Ṭab-ṣilli-Marduk, son of Bel-[up]ahhi[r]. May Bel and Nabû decree well-being, happiness, health, length of days, long duration of reign and stability of the foundation of the throne [of] the king my lord forever!

SAA 08 447. The Moon Will not Make an Eclipse (RMA 052) [eclipses]

(1) [In Iy]yar (II) (the moon) will complete the day; [on the 14th] day the moon and sun will be seen together. The 13th [day], the night of the 14th day, is the [da]y of the watch (to be held), and there will be no eclipse. (r 1) I guarantee it seven times, an eclipse will not take place. I have written a definitive word to the king. (r 5) From Ṭab-ṣilli-Marduk, nephew of Bel-naṣir.

SAA 08 454. Mercury Sighted in Pleiades (RMA 218) [planetary]

(1) If a planet becomes visible in Iyyar (II): the flood will come and irrigate the fields. (3) If the star of Marduk reaches the Pleiades: Adad will devastate. (r 1) On the 14th day the moon and sun will not be seen together, on the 15th day one god will be seen with the other: the king of Subartu will have no rival. I have heard (that) [from the mou]th of my father. (r 7) [From] Bel-ahhe-eriba.

SAA 08 460. Cancer in Lunar Halo (RMA 115F) [planetary]

(1) If the moon is surrounded by a halo, [and Cancer] stands in it: the king [of Akkad will extend the life]. (3) ... [......]. (Break) (r 1) Let [the king] my lord [......] let them give [......] a farmer [......] killed my brother [......] which the king my lord [......]. (r 6) From Bel-le'i, descendant of [Egibi].

SAA 08 461. Venus in Taurus (RMA 243) [planetary]

(1) The Pleiades portends a boiling day; "boiling day" (means) [...]. — Venus sta[nds] in the Pleiades. (3) [If] Ištar wears a silver crown: a fl[ood] of dragonflies wi[ll come]. [A "flood] of dragonflies" is a mass[ive] flood. (5) — Venus stands in Taurus(!). (6) [...] massive rains wi[ll come] for the king my lord. (7) They should perform [th]at rainmaking [ritual] of Adad, and [they should also] perform all the 'hand-lifting' pr[ayers] that exist with [the ritual]. (r 1) "Seek the gate of Adad, bring upuntu-flour in front of him, let maṣhatu-flour come to him as an offering; may he rain dow…

SAA 08 463. New Moon on 1st Day (RMA 018) [lunar]

(1) If the moon becomes visible on the 1st day: reliable speech; the land will become happy. (3) [If] the day reaches its normal length: a reign of long days. (5) [If] the moon at its appearance wears a crown: the king will reach the highest rank. (r 2) From Bel-naṣir. (r 3) Bel-epuš, a diviner from Babylon, is very sick. Let the king command a physician to go and see him.

SAA 08 464. Full Moon on 14th Day (RMA 155B) [lunar]

(1) If on the 14th day the moon and [sun are seen together: there will be] reconciliation and peace [in the land]. (3) From Bel-naṣ[ir]. (4) As [I wrote] to the king my [lord, there is] now peace [in the land. There is] no observation of the moon until the [xth] day ......]. (8) The word [......] (10) (Break) (r 1) The moon [......]. (r 2) The king [lifted his] hands (in prayer), and [his] prayer [was heard by the god]. The moon and sun [have] since Nisan (I) [been seen together on the 14th day]. Now that the king my lord [...], (r 7) with [his] lifting of the hand [......] on this 14th day th…

SAA 08 467. (no title) (RMA 274P) [unclassifiable]

(1) Let them bring the equipment for the [lunar] eclipse (ritual) ... [...] ... the watch ... [...]. (4) From Bel-naṣir.

SAA 08 469. Eclipse of the Moon, Occultation of Jupiter (RMA 235A) [eclipses]

(1) Mars [stood] 7 months in Gemini (2) [...] went [......] (Break) (8) [......] will pass it [...]; let the king [do] as he deems best. (10) [Already] three times I have writ[ten] to the king: "[It is ...] to say these words [...]." [I am] your servant who keeps in mind your good deeds and loves [you]. My heart burns [me] because of you. (r 1) [The sign is ...] and [has no] cancella[tion]; its evil will [no]t be cut off. (When) formerly the earth quak[ed], the enemy did not come and the land did not [...] (because) the sign [was nullified] by cancellation. (r 6) The eclipse of the moon which…

SAA 08 473. (no title) (RMA 277X) [unclassifiable]

(Too broken for translation; from Bel-ušallim)

SAA 08 474. Full Moon on 13th day (RMA 085A) [lunar]

(1) If the moon [is seen] at an inappropriate ti[me: business will diminish]. (2) — On the 13th day one god [is seen with the other]. (3) If on the 13th day the moon and sun [are seen together]: unreliable speech; the ways [of the land will not prosper]. (5) To [the king] of all lands, my lord, [your servant Bel-ušezib. May] Be[l, Nabû, and] Marduk [bless] the king [my lord. May they grant] life for dist[ant] days, [......] world rule, [......] happiness and joy [......]! (10) The king of all lands, my lord, [......] of 1 talent of gold [......]; the face of the king my lord [......]. (r 3)…

SAA 08 475. New Moon on 1st Day (RMA 277N + RMA 056A) [lunar]

(1) If the moon [becomes visible] on the 1st day: [......] a reign of [long days ......] (3) The feet of [......] (4) ...... [......] (5) [...] in the body of the king [...] (6) [...] the mood of [...] (7) [...] any [fes]tival in [...] (8) [...] the king [...] (9) [...] the Westland [...] (r 1) From Bel-[...].

SAA 08 476. (no title) (RMA 252F) [unclassifiable]

(1) As to what the king my lord wrote to us: "Are you confident?" — we are [...] confident. (4) There are many [...] in it; it is not likely to rouse anger. (Break) (r 1) [May they grant it] to th[e king our lord and make you attain] your wishes. (r 3) From Marduk-šuma-uṣur and Ea-[...].

SAA 08 490. Earthquake (RMA 265C) [weather]

(1) [If the earth] quakes in Tishri (VII): [the harvest of the land] will prosper; there will be hostilities. (3) [If there is an earth]quake: [there will be] hostility in the land. [— The earth ...] quaked. (5) [...] of the 11th day [......] ... [......] ... [......]. (r 1) There is [......] (r 2) I will speak [......] of [......] (r 5) let him [......] (r 6) twice I shall write to the ki[ng ......]. (r 8) [From] Rimutu.

SAA 08 495. Earthquake (RMA 266A) [weather]

(1) [If in Shebat (XI)] there is an earthquake: [the furrow] will bring its [yiel]d, variant: will reduce (it); there will be [campai]gns of the enemy. (4) [If in Shebat (XI) the earth] quakes: the enemy will take up residence in the ruler's palace; [the ruler] will be humiliated [in the land] of his enemy. (6) [If the earth] quakes at night: worry for the land, [variant: abando]ning of the land. (r 1) An earthquake portends revolution. (r 2) [...] this [sig]n indicates attack of the enemy. Let [the king my lord] strengthen the guard everywhere (lit. right and left) where [...] is present. [Ma…

SAA 08 496. Earthquake (RMA 262D) [weather]

(1) If the earth [quakes] all day: dispersal of [the land]. (3) If (the earth) keeps qu[aking]: attack of the en[emy]. (r 1) From Šapiku o[f Borsippa].

SAA 08 497. (no title) (RMA 277A) [unclassifiable]

(Break) (r 1) star [...]. (r 2) From Šapi[ku].

SAA 08 498. New Moon on 1st Day (RMA 047) [lunar]

(1) [If] the moon becomes visible on the 1st day: reliable speech; the land will become happy. (3) If the moon [......]. (6) If (the moon) [stands] in a stable position: waiting for [rain]. (8) If its horns look at the ground: the flood will come. (r 1) Bel and Nabû [will revive] the heart of the king my lord; the king [my] lord can be [glad]. In month [...] it will rain in torrents. (r 6) From Šumaya.

SAA 08 502. Planetary Omens, Prediction of Eclipses (RMA 272) [eclipses]

(1) If in Marchesvan (VIII) Adad thunders, the day [becomes cloudy, it rains], a rainbow stretches, lightning [flashes: a famous important person will fall]. (3) The lord of kings must not say as follows: "[When a sign] came, [why] did you not write?" — (5) [I wrote a report], but when I gave it to the eunuchs, they did not [...] me. (6) "A famous important person," as it says, [does] not [apply to them; it] ... against someone else. (7) If (the stars) Šarur and Šargaz of the sting of Scorpius gain radiance: the weapons of Akkad will attack. The sting of Scorpius is the great lord Pabilsag.…

SAA 08 528. Full Moon on 15th Day (RMA 158) [lunar]

(1) [If the moon does not wait for the sun, but] sets: [raging of lion] and wo[lf]. (3) If on the 15th day [the moon and sun are seen] together: a strong enemy [will raise] his weapons against the land; the enemy will block my city gate. (r 1) The eunuch Ṭab-šar-..., the ... official of the groom(s) of ..., (and) Ahhešâ, the [...], have made the people flee whom the king my lord gave to me, and have taken away my property. I am sick, and I have no ...; may the king not abandon me, so that I do not have to die! [......].

SAA 08 534. (no title) (RMA 277Q) [unclassifiable]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...] ... [......]. (2) [If the moon at] its appearance [is covered] by a membrane: [...] ... [......] all lands [......] becomes visible. (Rest too fragmentary for translation)

SAA 08 536. Last Visibility of Venus in Pleiades (RMA 205A) [planetary]

(1) [If Venus] se[ts] in Nisan (I): the harvest of the land will happen, variant: will pr[osper]. (3) If the Frond star reaches the Pleiades: [Adad will devastate. —] Venus [stands] in the Pleiades. (5) If Venus [is risen] in winter in the [East], at harvest time [in the We]st: (Break) (r 1) [...] ... [......] ... of the king my lord [......] before me, [......] when I swore an oath [......] is good so I did not write to the king my lord. (r 6) [From ...]a, son of Bel-ušallim.

SAA 08 550. (no title) (RMA 277AB) [unclassifiable]

(1) [...] ... turned. (2) [— ...] stands in front of Pabilsag. (3) [If ......] Scorpius stands: there will be [...] in the land. [The sting of Scorpius] is Pabilsag. (Break) (r 1) will dwell in p[eace; the gods] will listen to prayers and answer [the diviner's queries].

SAA 08 554. (no title) (RMA 262C) [unclassifiable]

(1) [If ......] continually: the harvest of the land will prosper. (3) [If lightning] flashes [......: Adad will] devastate. (5) [......] city and ... [......]. (Break) (r 1) [......] ... [......] will diminish [......] king.

SAA 08 555. Earthquake (RMA 265B) [weather]

(1) If an earthquake [......]: the king with [......]. (3) If the earth [quakes] in Tammuz (IV): [the ruler will be humiliated in the land], variant: in the pa[lace]. (5) If the earth [quakes] at night: [worry for the land], variant: abandonme[nt of the land]. (Break) (r 1) ... [......]. (r 2) This [is its interpretation: ......] good [......].

SAA 08 557. (no title) [unclassifiable]

(Beginning destroyed) (r 1) [...] inside the house [......]. (r 2) From Bel-[...].

SAA 08 558. (no title) [unclassifiable]

(1) [If ...] the moon and [sun are seen to]gether (2) [......]... [...] (3) [......] tog[ether] (Break) (r 1) in Arbela ... [......].

SAA 08 559. (no title) (RMA 277H) [unclassifiable]

(1) [If ......] ... [......] stands [in] Scorpius: (4) [......] in the land [......] ... (6) [......] not written (7) [...] there will be floods. (8) [......] the 13th day of this month [...] will go out [of Scorpius]. (10) [......] the moon ... [......] ... [......] Scorpius ... [......] stood. (Break) (r 8) [......] in Scorpius [...].

SAA 08 560. (no title) [unclassifiable]

(1) [...... h]imself (2) [......] fell (3) [......] died (4) [......] leader (5) [...... d]ied (6) [......] died (7) [......] were given (8) [......] long (r 1) [......] black (r 2) [The king my lord can be] glad. (r 3) [......] the Pleiades (r 4) [......] Old Man star (Rest destroyed or too broken for translation)

SAA 08 561. (no title) (RMA 277V) [unclassifiable]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...] on the horizon the moon and sun [......] (2) ... high when [...] (3) [...] ... for the king [......] ... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 08 565. Hemerology (RMA 277D) [calendrical]

(1) In Shebat (XI), on [the xth] day [......] (2) in the palace [......] (3) the year [......] (4) ... [......] (5) In Adar (XII), on the 3[rd] day [......] (6) to the aki[tu (festival) ......] (7) and Nabu [......] (8) in the tem[ple ......] (r 1) let the king sen[d ......] (r 2) The 3rd day of [......] (r 3) a weapon to [Marduk ...] (r 4) and Nabu [......] (Break) (r 6) From [NN].

SAA 08 566. (no title) (RMA 277C) [unclassifiable]

(Too broken for translation; maybe not even a report)

Astronomy & Mathematics·Religion & Myth

SAA 08 567. Hemerology for Month Iyyar [calendrical]

(1) In Iyyar (II) on the 20th day let him gi[ve] bread [...] (2) opposite the gate of the sacred rooms of the temple of Nusku [......] (3) their sick eyes which ... [......]. (4) In Iyyar (II) on the 20th day let him [kill] a [sn]ake: he will reach the highest rank. (6) Snake ... [......]. (Break) (r 1) ... [......] (r 2) of the king ... [...] (r 3) and Adad-[......] (r 4) bodyguard ... [...] went, (r 5) he killed Kudurru, son of Bel-[...], an informer, and when he denou[nced] Bel-naṣir ... [...], (r 8) these months in front [...] (r 9) staff-bearer [......].

SAA 09 001. Oracles of Encouragement to Esarhaddon (4 R 2 61)

(Beginning destroyed) (i 1) [......] strong (f.) (i 2) [......] is wide (f.) (i 3) [......] ... (i 4) [Esarh]addon, king of the lands, fear [not]! (i 6) What wind has risen against you, whose wing I have not broken? Your enemies will roll before your feet like ripe apples. (i 11) I am the Great Lady; I am Ištar of Arbela, who cast your enemies before your feet. What words have I spoken to you that you could not rely upon? (i 18) I am Ištar of Arbela. I will flay your enemies and give them to you. (i 20) I am Ištar of Arbela. I will go before you and behind you. (i 24) Fear not! You are…

SAA 09 002. Oracles Concerning Babylon and the Stabilization of the King’s Rule (TI pl.2f+)

(Beginning broken away) (i 1) [...... sp]oke (i 2) [... have stre]ngthened (i 3) [......] their (i 4) [......] I will give (i 5) [... I am] the Creatress. (i 6) I will put [...] in order (i 7) and consolidate [the throne of Esarha]ddon. (i 8) [......]. We are the goddesses (i 9) [...... i]n Esaggil. (i 10) Esarhaddon, king of Assyria! I will seize [your enemies] and trample [them under my foot]. (i 13) [Be not a]fraid, mother of the king. (i 14) [From the mouth of Nabû]-hussanni of the Inner City. (i 15) [Have no fe]ar, Esarhaddon! (i 16) [Like a] skilled pilot [I will st]eer [the ship] into…

SAA 09 003. The Covenant of Aššur (ABRT 1 22-23)

(i 1) (Beginning destroyed) (i 5) favour [......] (i 6) give [......]! (i 7) He has taken care of [...], (i 8) he has promoted th[eir ...]. (i 9) Heaven and earth are [well]; Ešarra is [wel]l; Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, is [well]. (i 12) [May the well-b]eing which Esarhaddon [has established] gain footing! (i 14) Aššur has arranged [a feast in] Ešarra. (i 15) [......] of the Inner City (i 16) [...... Es]arhaddon (i 17) [......] (i 18) [...... l]ifts up (i 19) [......] the lands (i 20) [......] before Aššur (i 21) [......] with Esarhaddon (i 22) [......] they come (i 23) [......] they burn…

SAA 09 005. An Oracle to the Queen Mother (TI pl.4)

(1) The word of Ištar of Arbela [to the king's mother: ...] (2) My knees are bent fo[r ......]. (3) Mullissu [has heard] the cry [of her calf]. (4) Gird (f.) your loins! [......] (5) of Esarhaddon, king of Assyria [......] (6) Ninurta [shall go] at the right and left side o[f .......] (7) [shall put] his enemies under [his] foot [......] (8) I will g[o out] to the Palace of the Steppe [...] (9) I will give security for [Esarhaddon, king of Assyria] (10) [His] e[nemies] (r 1) within [......] (r 2) I will [......] (r 3) The enemy who [......] (r 4) the enemy who ... [...] (r 5) we will cast [bef…

SAA 09 006. An Oracle from Tašmetu-ereš of Arbela

(1) Ištar of Arbe[la has said: ......] (2) "I will put in order [......] (3) I will put in order [......] (4) ... [......] (5) "the city [......] (6) Th[ey ...]ed [......] (7) they entered [......] (8) of the king [......] (9) they killed [......] (10) I will c[ast ......] (r 1) "I do not [......] (r 2) help [......] (r 3) I heard and [......] (r 4) your enemies [......] (r 5) this [......] (r 6) prophes[ied ......] (r 7) [wit]hin [......] (r 8) who prophes[ied ......] (r 9) before [......] (r 10) until [your] enemi[es ......]. (r 11) [T]ašmetu-ereš, a [prophet of ......], (r 12) pro[phesied]…

SAA 09 007. Prophecies for Crown Prince Assurbanipal (ABRT 1 26-27)

(1) The prophetess Mullissu-kabtat (has said): (2) "It is the word of Queen Mullissu: Fear not, Assurbanipal! (3) "Until I have done and given to you what I promised, until you rule as king over the sons of the bearded courtiers and the successors of the eunuchs, [I will look af]ter you in the Palace of Succession; [your father] shall gird the diadem [...]. (8) "[The ... king]s of the lands shall say to one another: ['Come, let us] go to Assurbanipal! The king has witnesses! [Whatever the god]s decreed for our fathers and forefathers, [let him now] arbitrate between us.' (12) "[Mullis]su…

SAA 09 008. Words Concerning the Elamites (ABL 1280)

(1) Words [concerning the Elam]ites. (2) [God] says as follows: (3) "I have go[ne and I ha]ve come." (4) He s[ai]d (this) five, six times, and then: (5) "I have come from the [m]ace. I have pulled out the snake which was inside it, I have cut it in pieces, and I have broken the mace." (8) And (he said): "I will destroy Elam; its army shall be levelled to the ground. In this manner I will finish Elam."