All tablets.

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…

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 8

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.

Astronomy & Mathematics·Daily Life

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 08 322. (no title) [unclassifiable]

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

SAA 08 328. Fog in Shebat (RMA 250) [weather]

(1) [If] there is fog in the land: the harvest will become abundant, business will become steady. (3) [If] there is fog in the land continually: the dynasty of the land will rule the world. (5) [If] a fog rolls in [in] Shebat (XI): eclipse of the Kassites. (r 1) [From] Ašaredu the older, servant of the king.

SAA 08 333. (no title) (RMA 170) [unclassifiable]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) If the moon in Shebat (XI) on the 14th or 15th day is not seen together with the sun: a massive flood will come and will make the harvest small. (4) The wisest, merciful Bel, the warrior Marduk, became angry at night, but relented in the morning. You, o king of the world, are an image of Marduk; when you were angry with your servants, we suffered the anger of the king our lord; and we saw the reconciliation of the king. (r 7) Why my relatives [......]. (Break) (e. 1) From Ašare[du] the older, [servant of the king].

SAA 08 334. Meteor (RMA 201) [occasional]

(1) 1 "double-hour" of night had passed; a meteor flashed from the north to the south. (5) Its signs are favorable for the intentions of the king. The king of Akkad will reach his goal. (r 3) From Ašaredu the older, servant of the king.

SAA 08 338. Morning Last of Venus in Kislev (RMA 210) [planetary]

(1) If in Kislev (IX) from the 1st day to the 30th day Venus disappears in the east: there will be a famine of barley and straw in the land. (4) The lord of kings will say: "The month is not (yet) finished, why did you write me good or bad (omens)?" The scribal art is not heard about in the market place. Let the lord of kings summon me on a day which is convenient to him, and I will investigate and speak to the king my lord. (r 5) From Ašaredu.

SAA 08 342. New Moon on 1st Day (RMA 022B) [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) [......] were seen [...]. (6) When [......] are seen, [the scribal art] is not heard about in the market places. [Let me come] up and speak [unambiguously] to the lord of kings. (r 3) [May the king of all lands be] everlasting! (r 4) From Ašaredu.

SAA 08 354. Thunder at Month’s End (RMA 253) [weather]

(1) If on the day of disappearance of the moon Adad thunders: the harvest will prosper, business will be steady. (3) If it rains on the day of disappearance of the moon: the harvest will be brought in, and business will be steady. (5) May the lord of kings be everlasting! (r 1) From Ašaredu.

SAA 08 355. (no title) (RMA 116A) [unclassifiable]

(1) ...... [...] son of Humbê (and) Marda..., the eunuch [...] of the king ... [...] instead [...] (Break) (r 1) devastation [......] (r 2) halo, the star [...] (r 3) and Anuni[tu ...] (r 4) another halo in [...] (r 5) ...... [...]. (r 6) From Ašaredu.

SAA 08 366. Earthquake (RMA 265) [weather]

(1) If the earth quakes in Nisan (I): the king's land will defect from him. (3) If the earth quakes at night: worry for the land; abandonment of the land. (5) From Aplaya.

SAA 08 368. (no title) (RMA 277O) [unclassifiable]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [......] city [......] hit [......] will dwell [......] will get. (5) From Ap[la]ya.

SAA 08 372. New Moon on 1st Day (RMA 017) [lunar]

(1) If the moon at its appearance wears a crown: the king will reach the highest rank. — It becomes visible on the 1st day. (4) If the day reaches its normal length: a reign of long days. — The 30th day will complete the measure of the month. (r 1) If the moon becomes visible on the 1st day: good for Akkad, bad for Elam and the Westland. (r 4) Ab (V) means Akkad. It is good for the king my lord. (r 6) From Nabû-šuma-iškun.

SAA 08 377. Antares in Lunar Halo (RMA 215) [planetary]

(1) Mercury did not [...]; the moon did not [rea]ch the sun, it set before the sun. Antares, which stood at the right horn of the moon, did not come close to the [mo]on; it will not affect (it) at all. (7) If Scorpius stands in the halo of the moon, it is (a sign) for rain and flood. The king has seen its sign; Adad will devastate. (r 3) In Iyyar (II) on the 15th day let him pray to Ea in supplication; let him release a prisoner; his possessions will become (an object) of praise. (r 6) From Nabû-šuma-iškun.

SAA 08 378. Virgo in Lunar Halo (RMA 230) [planetary]

(1) If the Bow star stands in the halo of the moon: men will rage, and there will be robbery in the land. (4) It does not portend evil; a halo (in the area) of Virgo portends rain and flood in winter. (r 2) On the 13th of Nisan (I) let him place his food offerings before Sin and Šamaš; Sin and Šamaš will speak to him. (r 5) From Nabû-šuma-iškun.

SAA 08 379. Hemerology (RMA 277AD) [calendrical]

(1) [... in] Sivan (III) on the 15th day let him libate [... at] sunrise, let him pray [...]. (4) [The king] must not go out [...] (5) [...] and staying overnight [......] (r 1) [......] Šamaš (r 2) Šamaš [will ...] the king the area [......]. (r 4) [From] Nabû-šuma-iškun.

SAA 08 381. Mercury in Sagittarius (RMA 227) [planetary]

(1) [If] the stars of [Ant]asurra [...] ...: [...] will come to the land. Antasurra is the mišhu of Sagittarius. — M[erc]ury stands inside Sagittarius. (8) [...] a reign of long days and well-being of the king of the world. (r 1) Mercury [became visible] in the east; its period will not pass; its [...] is made manifest. (r 4) Let [the king] my lord be happy. (It means) [well-being] for the king, the son of the king, [and] his wives. (r 7) [From Raš]il the older, servant of the king.

SAA 08 387. Mars Stationary in Scorpius (RMA 033) [weather]

(1) If the moon becomes visible on the 1st day: reliable speech; the land will become happy. (3) Mars, which stan[ds] inside Scorpius, is about to move out; until the 25th of [Tammuz (IV)] it will move out of Scorpius; and its radiance is fallen. Let the king my lord be happy; the king should be very glad, (but) until (Mars) goes out, let the king guard himself. (r 7) From Rašil the older, servant of the king.

SAA 08 388. Predicting an Eclipse of the Moon (RMA 273) [eclipses]

(1) On the 14th day the moon will make an eclipse. It (predicts) evil for Elam and the Westland, good for the king my lord. Let the king my lord be happy. (7) (Already) when Venus became visible, I said to the king my lord: "An eclipse will take place." (r 4) From Rašil the older, servant of [the king].

SAA 08 399. Occultation of Virgo(?) (RMA 245) [planetary]

(1) If the Destruction star stands inside the moon: there will be an eclipse of Subartu. (3) If the Bow star comes close to the top of the moon and enters the moon: the days of the ruler will end. (5) The moon will ... for one year. (6) The king should know (this) and be circumspect; let him guard himself. On an unfavorable day the king must not go out into the street, until the term of the (ominous) sign has expired. (r 6) A sign from a star (is valid) for one month of days. (r 7) From Rašil the older, servant of the king.

SAA 08 400. Mars Approaches Venus [planetary]

(1) [If ......] attack of locusts. (2) [If ......] plenty for the people. (3) [If a planet] stands there [in E]lul (VI): rising of business, [abund]ance of grain. (5) [If M]ars comes close to the Old Man star: there w[ill be] a revolution [in the We]st[land, and brother] will kill [broth]er; [the emblems of the lands] will be overthro[wn; a secret of the land] will go to another [land; the gods will leave] it (and) will turn away from it. (r 4) [If ...] into Gemini [......] ... [......] ... [......] evil for the Westland, [good for the king] my [lord]. (r 9) [From Rašil] the older, [servant of…

SAA 08 402. (no title) [unclassifiable]

(1) The [......] (2) which from [......] (3) of heaven and earth [...] (4) will come [...] (5) The king need not be concerned; let him act according to the exti[spicies, and the king] my lord will become hap[py]. (9) Your days [...] (r 1) winds [......] (r 2) on [......] (Break) (e. 1) [From] Rašil the older, [servant] of the king.

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,…

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.

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].