All tablets.

SAA 08 275. Full Moon on 15th Day [lunar]

(1) If on the 15th day the moon and sun are seen together: a strong enemy will raise his weapons against the land, and [he will tear] down my city gate. (5) — The 15th day (means) the Westland and [...]. (6) [If in] Iyyar (II) the Pleiades, [the Seven], the great [gods, rise] at [their] appropriate time: the great gods will gather and make a favorable [decision about the land]; sweet [winds] will blow. (r 4) From Nergal-eṭir.

~670 BCE·Neo-Assyrian

SAA 8

SAA 08 276. Full Moon on 15th Day (RMA 157B) [lunar]

(1) [If on the 15th day] the moon and sun are seen [together]: a strong [enemy will raise] his weapons; the enemy will tear down [my city gate]. (6) [The 15th day] means the Westland. (r 1) [From] Nergal-eṭir.

Astronomy & Mathematics

SAA 08 277. Jupiter in Lunar Halo (RMA 092) [planetary]

(1) [If the moon] is surrounded by a halo, and Jupiter stands in it: the king of Akkad will be shut up. (4) From Nergal-eṭir.

SAA 08 278. Regulus in Lunar Halo (RMA 097) [planetary]

(1) If the moon is surrounded by a halo, and Regulus stands in it: in that year women will gi[ve birth] to male children. (r 1) From Nergal-eṭir.

SAA 08 279. Eclipse of the Moon (RMA 274Q) [eclipses]

(1) The night of the 13th day there was no observation; let the son of the king sleep. (3) The n[ight] of the 14th day there was no observation; let the son of the king sleep. (5) The ni[ght of] the 15th day there was no observation; let the son of the king sleep. (7) The night of the 16th day, a great observation: the moon made an [ecli]pse; this eclipse of the moon [......] and (Break) (r 8) [From] Nergal-eṭir.

SAA 08 280. Eclipse of the Sun (RMA 181A) [eclipses]

(1) If the sun rises and [its] radiance [is fallen]: weapon [......]. (3) If the sun rises and its left side [...] not [......]. (Break) (r 1) For the king, well-being; for [..., ...]. (r 2) [I have written] the (interpretation of the) eclipse, decision for [......], on a (separate) writing-boa[rd]. (r 4) From Nergal-[eṭir].

SAA 08 281. Sighting of Mercury (RMA 216C) [planetary]

(1) [M]ercury became visible. (3) If a planet becomes visible within a month: flood and rain. (5) [If a pl]anet is red brown: [plent]y for the people. (r 1) From Nergal-eṭir.

SAA 08 282. Venus Near Pleiades (RMA 243B) [planetary]

(1) If in month M[archesvan (VIII) ......] people [......]. (3) If a cl[oud] confronts the sun at its rising: plenty (for) all lands. (r 1) If at the beginning of the year the Pleiades stand on the left of Venus: the enemy, variant: a flood will disrupt the harvest. (r 4) From Nergal-eṭir.

SAA 08 283. Regulus Near Moon (RMA 199) [planetary]

(1) A sign which is unfavorable for the king is favorable for the land; a sign which is favorable for the land is unfav[orable] for the king. (3) The king will say, "From what shall I see (that)?" (4) If Regulus comes close to the front of the moon and stands there: the days of the ruler will come to an end; a confusing word will be solved in the land; for the land, favorable. (6) If Regulus [comes close] to the top of the moon and stands there: the king will live for many days; the land will not pros[per] [...] bad. (8) ...... [......] ... (Break) (r.e. 1) From Nergal-eṭir.

SAA 08 284. (no title) (RMA 277K) [unclassifiable]

(1) If Nergal(-statue)s with [......]. (2) The Panther (is) Nergal of [......] ... and becomes visible [......]. (4) [......] ... of Elam [......]. (5) [......] Nergal [......] daughter [......] ... [...]. (8) [......] ... [......]. (Break) (r 1) [...] ...... (r 2) [If] a fog rolls in Kislev (IX): severity of cold spells. (r 4) From Nergal-eṭir.

SAA 08 285. (no title) (RMA 252C) [unclassifiable]

(1) [......] ... plenty for the people [......] plenty for the people [......] ...... [......] ... (Break) (r 1) [...] as long as he lives [......] will not become clean [...] I shall not ... [......] I shall speak to the king. (r 5) [From] Nergal-eṭir.

SAA 08 287. Birth Omen (RMA 277) [terrestrial]

(1) If an anomaly has 8 feet and 2 tails: the ruler will seize the kingship of the world. (5) That archer — his name is Tamdanu — says as follows: "When a sow of mine gave birth, (the young) had 8 feet and 2 tails. I pickled it in salt and put it into the house." (r 4) From Nergal-eṭir.

SAA 08 288. Conjunction of Jupiter and Mars (RMA 195) [planetary]

(1) If Jupiter stands in front of Mars: there will be barley; animals will fall, variant: a large army will fall. (3) If Jupiter and the False Star meet: a god will devour, variant: the gods will deliberate about the land. "They will deliberate": To deliberate (is) to consult one another. (6) If Mars comes close to Jupiter: there will be a severe miqtu-disease in the land. (8) If the risings of Jupiter and of a(nother) planet are equal: evil will happen to all lands. (r 1) If the red planet and the big star come close: fall of cattle. The red planet is Mars, the big star is Jupiter. (r 4) —…

SAA 08 289. Morning First of Jupiter in Leo (RMA 189) [planetary]

(1) If Jupiter becomes visible in Elul (VI): the land will eat good bread. (3) If the stars of Leo ...: [the king] will be victorious [wherev]er he goes. (6) [Ju]piter [stands in L]eo. (r 2) [From Na]bû-iqiša of Borsippa.

SAA 08 290. New Moon on 1st Day (RMA 011) [lunar]

(1) If the day reaches its normal length: a reign of long days. (3) — The 30th day completes the measure of the month. (4) If the moon becomes visible on the 1st day: reliable speech; [the land] will become happy. (6) If the moon at its appearance [wears a crown]: constantly the harvest of the land will prosper; [the land will dwell] as if in pastures near the city; the king [will re]ach the highest rank. (r 2) This is good for the king my lord. (r 3) From Nabû-iqiša of Borsippa.

SAA 08 291. New Moon on 1st Day (RMA 005) [lunar]

(1) [If the day] reaches its normal length: a reign of long days. (3) — The 30th day com[pletes] the measure of the month. (4) [If] the moon becomes visible on the 1st day: reliable speech; the land will become happy. (6) [From] Nabû-iqiša of [Borsippa].

SAA 08 292. New Moon on 30th Day (RMA 064) [lunar]

(1) If the moon becomes visible in Iyyar (II) on the 30th day: the Ahlamû will dev[our] the wealth of the Westland. (4) From Nabû-iqiša of Bo[rsippa].

SAA 08 293. Full Moon on 14th Day (RMA 155) [lunar]

(1) [If the m]oon and sun are in opposition: [the king] of the land will widen his und[erstanding]; the foundation of the king's throne will become stable. (3) If on the 14th day the moon and sun are seen together: the speech of the land will become reliable; the land will become happy; the king will become happy; the gods will remember Akkad favorably; there will be joy among people; the cattle of Akkad will lie in the steppe undisturbed. (8) If the moon is seen on the 14th day: good for Akkad, bad for Elam and the Westland. (r 1) The king my lord must not say as follows: "(There were)…

SAA 08 294. Full Moon on 14th Day (RMA 150) [lunar]

(1) If the moon reaches the sun and follows it closely, and one horn me[ets] the other: there will be truth in the land, and the son will spe[ak] the truth with his father. — On the 14th day the moon and sun will be seen with each other. (7) If the moon and sun are in opposi[tion]: the king of the land wil[l widen] his understanding; the foundation of the king's throne will becom[e stable]. — On the 14th day one god will be seen with the other. (r 3) At the beginning of the year an eclipse was seen ......; on the 14th day (the moon) wa[s seen] with the sun. This is good for the king my lord. (…

SAA 08 295. Full Moon on 15th Day (RMA 153) [lunar]

(1) If the moon does not wait for the sun [but sets]: raging of lion[s and wolves]. (3) I.e., on the 14th day one god is not [seen] with the other. (4) If at the appearance of the moon one horn pa[sses] the other: hostility will take place. (6) I.e., on the 14th day one god is not se[en] with the other. (7) If the moon is fast in its course: business will diminish. — On the 15th day it will be seen with the sun. (r 1) This night a halo surrounded the moon, Virgo and the Frond star stood in it. (r 3) If the moon is surrounded by a halo and the Bow star stands in it: men will rage, and…

SAA 08 296. Moon Near Pleiades (RMA 240) [lunar]

(1) If the Pleiades come close to the top of the moon and stand there: the king will exercise world dominion and expand his land. (3) From Nabû-iqiša of Borsippa. (4) May Bel and Nabû grant long days and happiness to the king of all lands, my lord! (7) ... the king established our freedom (from corvée work). (Yet) at this very moment, I build a storeroom in the Review Palace with my brothers, and the townspeople with whom the king has made me take (fields), have killed my farmer and harass me saying: "Perform your ilku-duty with us!" (r 5) But I want to do work with my brothers and keep watch…

SAA 08 297. Saturn Near Moon (RMA 215A) [planetary]

(1) Saturn [......; it is written] three times on a writing board. (3) If a sun disk stands above the moon [and below the moon: the king] will stand [in his truth ......] truth [......] ... [......]. (r 1) If the sun [stands] in the po[sition of the moon]: the foundation of the king of the land's throne [will become stable]. (r 3) — Saturn [stands together with the moon. This] is good for the king my lord. (r 5) From Nabû-iqiša of Bor[sippa].

SAA 08 298. Hyades in Lunar Halo (RMA 049) [planetary]

(1) If the moon rides a chariot in month Sililiti: the dominion of the king of Akkad will prosper, and his hand will capture his enemies. Sililiti is Shebat (XI). (5) I.e. In Shebat (XI) (the moon) was surrounded by a halo in the Old Man. (r 1) [If] the moon is surrounded by a halo, and Hyades stand in it: the king is well; there will be truth and justice in the land. (r 4) [From] Nabû-iqiša of Borsippa.

SAA 08 299. Cancer and Regulus in Lunar Halo (RMA 112A) [planetary]

(1) If [the moon] is surrounded by a halo, and Cancer stands in it: [the king] of Akkad will extend the life. (3) The moon is surrounded by a river: it will rain. (4) — It is surrounded by a halo [...]. (5) If the moon [is surrounded] by a halo, and Regulus stands in it: in this year women will give birth to male children. (7) [If the moon] is surrounded by a halo, and two stars stand inside the halo with the moon: a reign of [long] days. (r 3) From Nabû-iqiša of Borsippa.

SAA 08 300. Eclipse of the Moon in Evening Watch [eclipses]

(1) [......] eclipse (predicting) deaths; deaths ... [......] Venus until [......]. (Break) (14) [......] Adad will devastate [......]. (16) [If] there is an eclipse in Sivan (III) on the 14th day: an [effective] kin[g who is famous will die, and his son, who] was not named for kingship, will seize the throne, and [there will be] hos[tility, variant: there will be deaths]. (r 1) [If] there is an eclipse [in S]ivan (III) from the 1st to the 30th day: it is an ec[lipse of the king of Akkad; a peak flood] will occur, and Adad will devastate the land; the harvest of the lan[d will not prosper; a…

SAA 08 301. Saturn, Cancer, and Regulus in Lunar Halo (RMA 114A) [planetary]

(1) [If the moon] is surrounded by a halo, and Can[cer] stands in it: the king of Akkad [will extend the life]. (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. (6) [If] the moon is surrounded by a halo, and Regulus stands in it: pregnant women will give birth to male children. (r 1) From Zakir.

SAA 08 302. Saturn, Regulus, and Orion in Lunar Halo [planetary]

(1) [If Venus ... from] the 1st to the 30th day [......]. (Break) (2) Venus [...] days [......] did not reach and set [......] of Elam. Signs in the east [......] Venus is the star of Elam; in the east [...]. (r 3) If the sun is surrounded by a halo: it will rain; change of weather. (r 4) If the moon is surrounded by a halo, and Orion stands in it: the king of Subartu will exercise world rule; his land will thri[ve]. (r 6) [If the sun] stands [in] the halo of the moon: all lands will speak the truth; [the son] will speak the truth with his father. (r 8) [If the moon] is surrounded [by a halo],…

SAA 08 303. New Moon on 1st Day, Meteor (RMA 028) [lunar, occasional]

(1) If the moon becomes visible on the 1st day: reliable 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 is covered with white patches: kursissu will attack and devour the sesame. — It is seen with [......]. (7) If (the moon) [wears] a crown: the king will reach the highest rank. (r 2) [If] a star flares up and sets like a torch [fr]om west to east: the enemy will conquer a border town of mine in Elam; (fall) of the army of Elam. (r 6) From Zakir.

SAA 08 304. New Moon on 30th Day (RMA 025) [lunar]

(1) [If] the moon becomes visible in [Ni]san (I) on the 30th day: [...] will devour the We[stla]nd. (3) [If the moon's] horns at its appearance are very dark: [disbanding of the fortified] outposts, [retiring of the guards]; there will be reconciliation [and pea]ce in the land. (r 1) Gi means "to be dark," gi means "to be well," gi means "to be stable." Its horns are stable. (r 5) (It is) bad for the Westland, and good for the king my lord. (r 7) From Zakir.

SAA 08 305. New Moon on 30th Day (RMA 272C) [lunar]

(1) [If] the moon becomes visible in Adar (XII) on the 30th day: there will be an eclipse of the sun. (2) [If the moon is surroun]ded [by a black halo]: the month holds rain. — [......] is seen. (4) [......] Adar (XII) watch [......] it is near to let (it) pass. [Maybe the king] will say as follows: ["Why did] you write an undecided word?" — (8) [... from] Kislev (IX) until now [...] was loosened, and the moon and the stars [......] were loose and [......] is not near; to [......] is near. (r 4) [...... who] went [...], placed [......], (and) the people of my house [......]. The women he gave…

SAA 08 306. Full Moon on 13th Day (RMA 122) [lunar]

(1) If on the 13th day [the m]oon and sun are seen together: unre[liab]le speech; the ways of the land will not be straight; there will be steps of the enemy; the enemy will plunder in the land. (4) If the moon in Ab (V) is not seen with the sun on the 14th or on the 15th day: there will be deaths; a god (i.e. pestilence) will devour. (7) From Zakir.

Astronomy & Mathematics·Daily Life

SAA 08 307. Scorpius in Lunar Halo (RMA 108) [planetary]

(1) If the moon is surrounded by a halo, and Scorpius stands in it: entu-priestesses will be made pregnant; men, variant: lions will rage and cut off traffic. (6) The sign does not affect (us). Because of the king's watch I wrote to the king my lord. (r 3) From Zakir.

SAA 08 308. Red Sun (RMA 181) [lunar]

(1) If the sun rises and (is as if) dyed red: this land will disappear. (2) If the sun rises and is red: plenty for the people, variant: battle will be done in the land, variant: rebellion, variant: losses for the king of all lands. (4) If the sun at its rising carries red radiance: an eclipse will take place, and Adad will devastate. (6) The morning watch concerns Elam. This sign came at sunrise. (r 2) If Adad thunders in Iyyar (II): emmer wheat and flax will not prosper. (r 4) The star about which I spoke to the king my lord is very faint; it has not yet ascended, and so I have not identifie…

SAA 08 309. Red Sky (RMA 267A) [occasional]

(1) If the sky is covered with red: there will be abundance in the land. (2) Ṣillaya wrote to me by way of Šakin-šumi as follows: "I shall put you to death! Why do you say: 'Ṣillaya took away my property'? Munnabitu is witness against you" — (7) (I swear) by Bel [...] the witness is my adversary! Whatever he took away from my property is well known! (r 2) Everything about which I spoke in front of the king, and there is (some) about what I did not speak to the king, everything he took. He has removed my father's house from my hands, and continually he devises tricks and plots against my life.…

SAA 08 310. (no title) (RMA 183B) [unclassifiable]

(1) If in Adar (XII) the sun stands still in the middle of noontime: the land will experience siege (and) misery. (4) If it is winter, there will be a severe winter. (r 1) From Zakir.

SAA 08 311. Mars Near Moon (RMA 234) [planetary]

(1) If Mars comes close to the front of the moon and stands there: the moon god will resettle a bad land. (3) If a planet stands at the left horn of the moon: the king will exercise world rule. (4) If a star stands left in front of the moon: the king will exercise world rule. (5) If a star stands left behind the moon: the king of Akkad will exercise world rule. (7) If the Field star stands at its left horn: in that year the cultivated fields of Akkad will prosper. (9) If the Field star stands at (the moon's) shoulder: in that year the harvest of the land will prosper. (r 1) If a star stands…

SAA 08 312. (no title) (RMA 236E) [unclassifiable]

(1) When Mars had completed the region of [...] it we[nt out] (and) slowed down [in] its course. (4) Until five days, [......] (5) where [......]. (Break) (r 1) [From] Zakir.

SAA 08 313. Fog in Tebet (RMA 251A) [weather]

(1) [If a fog] rolls in [in Tebet (X)]: eclipse [of all lands]. (2) [If there is fog in the land]: plenty for the people. (3) [If there is continually fog in the land]: the dynasty of the land will achieve world rule. (4) [...] ... is not reaching its course; [......] spoke, his lawsuit will not go well; [......] kept doing, his lawsuit will not [......] ... punishment of a god [......] look at me [......]. (r 2) [......] city god [...] (Break) (r 3) [......] ... [......] (r 4) [From] Zakir.

SAA 08 314. Rainy Weather (RMA 253C) [weather]

(1) [If] the night is red: [......] four winds [......]. (3) If the night is ... [......] wind will rise [......]. (5) If it ra[ins] on the day of disappearance of the moon: the harvest of the land will be brought in, [and] bus[iness] will be ste[ady]. (r 2) [From] Zakir.

SAA 08 315. Earthquake [weather]

(1) [......] ... [......] ... [......] quakes [...]. (6) [If Adad] thunders [......] (7) [......] to my land [......] ... [......] ... (r 1) [......] of [......]. (r 2) [If the earth] quakes [at night]: worry for the land, variant: aban[doning of the land. An earth]quake portends re[volt]. (r 4) From Zakir.

SAA 08 316. Eclipse of the Moon, Jupiter Visible (RMA 268) [eclipses]

(1) I could not let the king my lord hear the words about the eclipse from my mouth. Now in compensation I send a written report to the king my lord. (3) The evil of an eclipse affects the one identified by the month, the one identified by the day, the one identified by the watch, the one identified by the beginning, where (the eclipse) begins and where the moon pulls off its eclipse and drops it; these (people) receive its evil. (5) Sivan (III) means the Westland, and a decision is given for Ur. The evil of the 14th day, as is said, the 14th day means Elam. The beginning, where (the eclipse)…

SAA 08 317. Saturn and Cancer in Lunar Halo (RMA 115C) [planetary]

(1) If the moon is surrounded by a halo, [and Cancer] stands [in it]: the king of Akka[d will extend the life]. (3) If the sun [stands] in the halo [of the moon]: they will speak the truth [in all lands; the son will speak] the truth [with his father]. (6) If the moon is surrounded by a halo and [two stars stand in the halo] with the [moon]: a reign [of long days]. (r 1) If the moon is surrounded by a halo, [and Mars] stands in it: in all lands the culti[vated field] will not pro[sper]. (r 5) From Munn[abitu].

SAA 08 318. New Moon on 1st Day (RMA 038) [lunar]

(1) If the moon becomes visible on the 1st day: reliable speech; the land will become happy. (3) If the moon's horns at its appearance are pointed: the king of Akkad will rule the land wherever he wants. (6) If Regulus carries radiance: the king of Akkad will exercise complete dominion. (r 1) From Munnabitu.

SAA 08 319. New Moon on 30th Day (RMA 063) [lunar]

(1) If the moon becomes visible in Iyyar (II) on the 30th day: the Westlander will defeat Subartu in battle. (4) [From] Munnabitu.

SAA 08 320. Full Moon on 16th Day (RMA 082) [lunar]

(1) If the moon becomes late at an inappropriate time and is not seen: attack of a ruling city. — It is seen on the 16th day. (3) If the moon is not seen: the gods will make an unfavorable decision about the land. (4) I.e., one god is not seen with the other on the 14th or 15th day. (5) If the moon in Elul (VI) is seen with the sun neither on the 14th nor on the 15th day: lions will rage and block the traffic. (7) If the light of the moon and sun is very dark: the king will be angry with his land and his people. (8) Within one month the moon and sun will make an eclipse; i.e. each month on…

SAA 08 321. The Moon Will not Make an Eclipse (RMA 274A) [eclipses]

(1) The eclipse will pass by, (the moon) will not make it. Should the king say: "What sign did you see?" — (4) [... the god]s did not see each other (5) [...] for the night (6) [......]. (r 1) [The eclipse] will pass by (and) [the moon] will be seen [together with] the sun. (r 3) From Munnabitu.

SAA 08 322. (no title) [unclassifiable]

(1) The watch is very worrisome for ...; the king should be circumspect. (5) From Munnabitu.

SAA 08 323. Morning First of Jupiter in Front of Cancer (RMA 187) [planetary]

(1) [If J]upiter passes to the west: quiet [dwelling] and complete well-being will come down on the land. (3) — It is seen in front of Cancer. (4) If Jupiter stands in the path of the Enlil stars and its light ... carries radiance, and Nēberu [......] Akkad will thrive; the king of Akkad will become strong. (7) If Nēberu rises and the gods get peace: there will be [abu]ndance; confused (things) will be made bright, [blu]rred (things) will clear; rain and flood [will c]ome; the harvest-time grass will last until winter, the winter grass until harvest time; all lands will dwell in quiet; the…

SAA 08 324. Morning First of Saturn in Leo (RMA 216) [planetary]

(1) Satu[rn] became visible [in]side of Leo. (3) If Leo is dark: for three years, [li]ons and wol[ves] will kill people and cut off traffic with the [Wes]tland. (r 1) If a planet rises in Ab (V): the cemetery of warriors will expand. (r 4) From Ašaredu the older.

SAA 08 325. Morning First of Mercury in the Region of Virgo (RMA 221) [planetary]

(1) Mercury became visible in the east in the region of Virgo; its interpretation: (4) If the Fish star comes close to the Bow star: the harvest of the land will prosper; cattle will spread in the steppe; the king will become strong and bind his enemies; sesame and dates will prosper. (r 1) If a planet rises in Elul (VI): rising (of business), thriving of grain. (r 3) If in Elul (VI) the Kidney star becomes visible: the plough of the land will prosper. (r 5) The Kidney star is Mercury. (r 6) From Ašaredu, son of Damqa, servant of the king.