All tablets.

SAA 10 375. (no title) (CT 53 964) [miscellaneous]

(1) To the king, my lord: [your ser]vant [Urad-D]agan[a] (Break) (r 1) scribal tradition [......]. (r 2) Now, let me leave [......]; or what is it that the king, [my lord], orders?

~670 BCE

·Neo-Assyrian

SAA 10

SAA 10 376. (no title) (CT 53 337) [miscellaneous]

(1) To the k[ing, my lord]: your [servant NN]. May Nabû and Ma[rduk] bl[ess the king], my lord! (5) [...] in the burial chamber (6) Nabû-duru-uṣur, the [...] (7) who with me [......] (8) contents [......] (9) the king's family [......]. (10) Perhaps [......] (11) they appoint[ed ......] (Rest destroyed)

Daily Life·Economy

SAA 10 377. Events Preceding the Enthronement of a Substitute King (ABL 1004) [miscellaneous]

(Beginning destroyed or too fragmentary for translation) (3) On the 12th [......] after [... he went] to Calah. On the 13th he w[ent] to [Calah] with the sons of the king. (8) On the 14th Adad-šumu-uṣur enter[ed] Nineveh and [spoke] with Aššur-naṣir, the chief [eunuch], Sasî and Urad-E[a]: "Let him sit (on the throne) before the eclip[se occurs]." (r 4) The matter [...] spre[ad out] before them [......] (Remainder destroyed or too fragmentary for translation)

SAA 10 378. (no title) (CT 53 508) [miscellaneous]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [......] said to me (2) [......] Issar-šumu-ereš (3) [...... Nabû]-naṣir (4) [......] Issar-šumu-ereš (5) [......] (6) [......] good (7) [......] I asked (9') (Break) (12) [I] shall pay [attention to it]; I rely [mu]ch upon it. (15) Even the commander-in-chief [...] (Remainder lost)

SAA 10 379. Auspicious Days in Iyyar (ABL 1140) [miscellaneous]

(Beginning destroyed or too fragmentary for translation) (3) [When] he reveres the gods, it (the day) is good [for p]raying. (5) The favourable days about which the king, my lord, spoke are: the 10th, the 15th, the 16th, the 18th, the 20th, the 22nd, the 24th and the 26th, altogether 8 days of the month Iyyar (II) which are good for undertaking an enterprise and revering the gods. (r 5) The 10th: at court, favourable; (r 6) The 15th: perfect seed; (r 7) The 16th: joy of heart; (r 8) [The 1]8th: convert the cleaned (barley); (r 9) [The 20th]: let him kill a snake, he will reach the first [rank]…

SAA 10 380. Complimenting the King (CT 53 117) [miscellaneous]

(Beginning lost) (1) [The ... of the king, my lord, is a [...]. (2) Now, th[en], the deeds of the king, [my lord], are like those of (the sage) Adapa. [Let the king, my lord], write wh]at has not been listed [...] (Remainder destroyed or too fragmentary for translation)

SAA 10 381. Rituals, Prayers, and Laments Because of Mars (CT 53 008) [miscellaneous]

(1) The 'farmer' should perform the apotropaic ritual against evil of any kind; the 'farmer' should (also) perform the penitential psalms for Nergal and the 'hand-lifting' prayer for Nergal. Let them write in the apotropaic ritual and the prayer as follows: (5) "In the evil of the planet Mars which exceeded its term and ap[peared] in the constellation Aries: may its evil not [approach], not come near, not press up[on (me)], not affect me, my country, the people of [my pal]ace and my army!" (r 5) Let them write like this in the apotropaic ritual and the 'hand-lifting' prayer.

SAA 10 382. Medicinal Plants (LAS 231) [miscellaneous]

(Beginning destroyed or too fragmentary for translation) (r 6) [...] will come out of [captivity] and inprisonment. (r 7) [Naṣ]iru showed me thornbush; it resembles the shoot of a date palm about to burst out this very day, and at its tip it looks like a wire cable. [...] it is a tree indigenous to Assyria; it [also] is a tree indigenous to Babylonia. (Break) (e. 1) [If ......: the k]ing will have no opponents [......]

SAA 10 383. Seeking Employment (ABL 1220) [miscellaneous]

(1) [To the king, my lord: your servant NN. Good heal]th to [the king, my lord! May Na]bû and M[arduk] very great[ly bless the king, my lord]! May Aššur, Mullissu, [Sin, Šamaš, Nabû] and Marduk [...] the king, my lord, in heal[th and vigour], and may they bless that [benevole]nt face! May Sin and Nikkal, with whom the king, my lord, has walked, give happiness, physical well-being, long-lasting days and everlasting years to the king, my lord! [May] Nabû and Marduk [......] to the king, [my lor]d! (Break) (r 4) Now [the ...] of the king, my lord, has discharged me, (though) my arms and legs have…

SAA 10 384. Obscure Inscriptions (CT 53 154) [miscellaneous]

(1) [......] my [lo]rd (2) [...]... till you come. (4) Perhaps there are, on the other side, sign-forms that he does not understand; I will explain to him all that I know. I shall go presently; [my brother] should know (this). (r 1) Now then, let them [sel]ect a Babylonian writing-board; (r 3) two with [...] intact, (r 4) which [...... emb]lems (r 5) [......] this (r 6) [......] for him (r 7) [...... El]am (r.e. 8) [...... si]gn-forms (r.e. 9) (Rest destroyed)

SAA 10 385. (no title) (CT 53 939) [miscellaneous]

(1) (Beginning destroyed) (3) They keep watch [... in the] inner [...]; the rest of them [...] in the game preserve. (r 1) The apprentices should imitate and assist them. (r 4) Balasî [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 10 386. Wailing Tammuz (LAS 347) [miscellaneous]

(1) [......] in the temp[le ......] (2) [at the tu]rn of the day [......] (3) Tammuz is [wailed]. (4) [On the 27]th is the rel[ease]. (5) [On the x]th, at the t[urn of the day], (6) [Tammu]z [...] the head. (7) [......] the god is [......] (8) [......] they perform [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 10 387. Fending off Accusations (CT 53 196) [miscellaneous]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) And (as to) that man, his whole equipment and his clothes are at his disposal. The king, my lord, wrote to me: "Why do you act arbitrarily?" — (yet) in what resp[ect have] I [acted] arbitrarily? On my life, I [have] not [acted ar]bitrarily [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 10 388. Inscribing Waxed Writing-Boards (CT 53 924) [miscellaneous]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [The ... of] the king [asked me]: "Who is this [NN], who is inscribing those waxed tablets of the king, my lord?" (r 1) I said: "Perhaps he personally told it to me; we ...[....]" (Rest destroyed)

SAA 10 389. Inscribing a Statue (CT 53 926) [miscellaneous]

(Beginning destroyed) (r 1) [... h]ere [...]; (r 2) [let] it be sent to us for writing. We shall inscribe it on the seat before the thigh. The rest we shall inscribe upon another nišru.

SAA 08 012. New Moon on 30th Day [lunar]

(1) If the moon beco[mes visible] in Tebet (X) on the 30th day: the Ahlamû will dev[our] Subartu; a foreigner will rule the Westland. (5) From the Chief Scri[be].

SAA 08 022. (no title) [unclassifiable]

(1) [If the moon and sun] are in balance: [the land] will become stable; [reli]able [speech] will be placed in the mouth of people; [the king of the land] will make the throne last long. (5) [If the Field star] comes close [to] the front of the moon and stands (there): [......], variant: there will be an attack of the enemy. (7) [......] brother [...] (Break) (r 1) [...] watch [...] (r 2) [The]ir [apotropaic ritual] should be performed. Let them give orders [...], let him perform [the ritual]. (r 4) [From the Ch]ief scribe.

SAA 08 029. Regulus Bright (RMA 198) [planetary]

(1) [If Re]gulus carries radiance: [the king of Akkad] will exercise complete dominion. (3) — [......] and stands with Regulus. (5) [From] Issar-šumu-ereš.

SAA 08 072. Moon in Pleiades [lunar]

(1) If the Pleiades come close to the front of the moon and stand there: the great gods will ... for the better understanding of the land. (4) Sin interceded for the king with the gods; the king is safe. (7) If the Field star comes close to the front of the moon and stan[ds] there: in that [year] ... [...], variant: [there will be] an attack of [the enemy]. (r 2) The Pleiades are (equivalent to) [Mars]; this night the moon approa[ched ...]. (r 5) From Nabû-ahhe-eriba.

SAA 08 113. Mercury Sighted in Scorpius (Kislev) (Nv.4) [planetary]

(1) If the moon becomes visible on the 1st day: reliable speech; the land will become hap[py]. (3) If the day reaches its normal length: a reign of long days. (5) If the moon at its appearance we[ars] a crown: the king will reach the highest rank. (7) Mercury became visible in the east. (8) If Scorpius is black: therein will be reconciliation and peace in the land. (r 1) [If a planet] becomes visible within a month: rain and flood. (r 2) [If a] fog rolls [in Kislev (IX): severity of] cold spells. (r 4) [Cold spells (mean)] cold. (r 5) [If] there is continually fog [in the land: the dynasty of…

SAA 08 125. Mars Near Saturn (RMA 229B) [planetary]

(1) [If a strange star] comes close to a planet: [......] cattle of the land will perish. (3) [If a strange star] comes close to it: the cattle of the land will perish; [......] will prosper. (Break) (r 1) [......] ... [...] Saturn; i.e. [Mar]s comes close to Saturn. (r 4) [From] Bulluṭu.

SAA 08 133. New Moon on 1st Day (Choix 21) [lunar]

(1) We kept watch on the 30th day; we saw the moon. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king my lord. (r 1) From Nabû'a of Assur.

SAA 08 162. Auspicious Days in Iyyar (LAS 332) [calendrical]

(1) The 10th day: at court, favorable. (2) The 12th day: in the street, favorable. (3) The 15th day: perfect seed. (4) The 16th day: joy of heart. (5) The 18th day: convert the cleaned (barley). (6) The 20th day: let him kill a snake: he will reach the first rank. (7) The 22nd day: at court, favorable; (good for) undertaking of an enterprise. (8) The 24th day: joy of heart. (r 1) The 26th day: (good) news. (r 2) The 27th day: completely favorable. (r 3) The 28th day: let him kill a snake. (r 4) The 30th day: a good omen. (r 5) From Adad-šumu-uṣur.

Religion & Myth·Astronomy & Mathematics

SAA 08 163. Ritual before Venus and Sirius (RMA 256) [planetary]

(1) As to the ritual about which the king my lord spoke, we shall perform it this night of the 22nd day before Venus and Sirius, (and) the chanters will also perform (their ritual). (r 1) If Adad thunders in the middle of Taurus: the king will conquer a country not belonging to him.

SAA 08 171. New Moon on 30th Day (RMA 081B) [lunar]

(1) [If the moon is seen in Elul (VI) on the 30th day: dispersal] of Su[bartu]. (3) [If the moon] is seen on the 30th [day]: [there will b]e frost; variant: rumor of the enemy. (5) From Bamaya.

SAA 08 194. Full Moon on 13th Day (RMA 123A) [lunar]

(1) [If on the 1]3th day the moon [and sun] are seen together: (unreliable speech; there will be bad ways in the land); [the step of the enemy will be in the land]; the enemy will [plunder] in the land. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 08 231. Hemerology (ABL 1405) [calendrical]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [whatever he sa]ys, is en[tirely] favorable. (3) You convict two doves, male and female, before Šamaš, (saying): (5) "Šamaš, you are the judge o[f heaven] and earth. [Uncl]ench for me the [power]ful fist of god, [king, magnate or prince]!" (Break) (r 1) [He will obtain] hi[s] desire like a god. Let him enter an inn: he will prolong (his) life. (r 3) He may eat emmer bread, he may drink emmer beer; (r 4) He may eat beef, mutton and fowl; he may not eat garlic, leek or fish; afterwards, he should embrace happiness. (r 7) He may not approach a woman; he should sleep in a…

SAA 08 286. (no title) (RMA 277S) [unclassifiable]

(1) [If ...'s rising] is dark: the king [......] will be affec[ted ......] ... the king of [......]. (Break) (r 1) [......] ... [......]. (r 2) [......] the sun ... [......] ...... [......]. (r 4) [From Nergal]-eṭir.

SAA 08 383. Mars and Saturn in Lunar Halo (RMA 107) [planetary]

(1) If the moon is surrounded by a halo, and [two stars stand in the halo with the moon]: a reign of [long] days. (3) If the sun [stands] in the halo [of the moon: there will be truth in the land], the son [will speak the truth with his father; universal] peace. (6) — The moon was surrounded by a halo [and Saturn stood in it]. (7) If the moon is surrounded by a halo, and [Mars stands in it]: loss of cattle; in [all lands] cultiva[ted fields] and dates will not prosper; the Westland will diminish. (r 1) If the moon (is surrounded) by a halo, and the Yoke star stands in it: the king will die,…

SAA 08 433. Fog in Tebet (Cat. Suppl. pl.4) [weather]

(1) If a fog rolls in Tebet (X): eclipse of all lands. (3) — A fog rolls. (4) If the south wind blows: the sesame [har]vest will become abundant. (r 1) From Nabû-iqbi.

SAA 08 451. Morning Last of Venus; Orion in Lunar Halo (RMA 203) [planetary]

(1) If Venus disappears in the east in Nisan (I) from the 1st to the 30th day: there will be wailings. (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 thrive. (r 1) — Or[ion] stood [in the ha]lo of the moon; ... [......] ... (r 3) From Ahhe[šâ of] Uruk.

SAA 08 483. Two Stars in Lunar Halo (Nv.3) [planetary]

(1) If the moon is surrounded by a halo, and two stars stand in the halo with the moon: a reign of long days. (4) From Nabû-ahhe-iddin.

SAA 08 540. (no title) (RMA 211E) [unclassifiable]

(1) If Venus in month [......] sets early... [...... there will be pea]ce in [the land ......]. (Rest destroyed)

Religion & Myth·Astronomy & Mathematics

SAA 08 553. (no title) (RMA 262A) [unclassifiable]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...] rain ... [......] sky against [......] long [days] and happi[ness ...]. (4) [If in Kislev (IX)] Adad thunders: cities [will be destroyed ......] plenty for the people, the land [...]. (6) From [...].

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 9

SAA 09 004. Fragment of a Collection of Encouragement Oracles

(Beginning destroyed) (2) [Esarhaddo]n, king of Assyria, [......] (3) I will [catch ... and wease]ls, (and) (4) I will [cast them before] your feet. (5) [As for yo]u, fe[ar] not! [......] (6) I will v[anquish] the later [......] (7) You shall ... yo[ur ......] (8) [...] I will p[ut ......] (9) [...] massive in [...] (Rest destroyed)

Religion & Myth·Astronomy & Mathematics

SAA 10 003. Burying the Substitute King (ABL 1376) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, our lord: your servants Nabû-zeru-lešir and Adad-šumu-uṣur. Good health to the king, our lord! May Nabû and [Marduk] ble[ss] the king, [our lo]rd! (8) We went with N[N] and N[N] to the palace [of...]. The mausoleum [...] of the re[ar ...] (Break) (r 2) If [the king, our lord, orders, we will make] a tomb [and put the substitute] king in it. (r 5) (Break) (r 13) What [is it that the king], our [lord], orders?

SAA 10 020. Arranging a Festival (LAS 343) [from astrologers]

(1) [......] should cel[ebrat]e a festival. (2) [......] it is written as follows: (3) [If ......] he resumes the [cul]t of the city god (4) [......] that city will prosper (5) [......] will save [......]. (6) [......]... his prosperity (7) [......] the sons of the king, m[y lord], (8) [......] you don't exercise t[heir ...] (9) [...... g]ive t[hem] (10) [......] fills th[eir ...]. (11) [......]... wailing (r 1) [......] this (r 2) [......] brings (r 3) [...... Af]terwards, those of Nineveh (r 4) [......] of Arbela (r 5) [...... o]f Tarbiṣu (r 6) [......] each or 2 shekels each (r 7) [......]…

SAA 10 021. Report on Temples in Assur (ABL 1378) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Issar-šumu-[ereš]. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (5) When the king, my lord, sent me to the Inner City, I saw [...] (Break) (r 3) [...] just [as the king, my lord], wrote to me, he showed it [to me, saying]: "There is [no] gold here; they have diminished the [...]." (r 6) Whatever old work there is, is full (weight) as if cast; (but) all the new stuff which has been manufactured recently is too thin. (r 9) The king, my lord, knows that the temple of Amurru collapsed and Amurru was moved into the temple of A…

SAA 10 027. Gems for a Statue (ABL 1375) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Issar-šumu-ereš. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, [my lo]rd! (7) Concerning the four [...]-gems of the statue [of ...] about which the ki[ng, my lord, wrote to me]: "[......] (Break) (r 3) [...] not to enter [...] who (or which) is not [acceptable] to the king, my lord; what should I [...], what should I [...]? I would like to undertake and per[form] the work of the king, my lord, and even do it in excess (literally: pay interest)! (r 10) He (said) "W[ho ... has] ever vis[ited] the king and [...] in ...? He did not vis…

SAA 10 062. Quoting the Astronomical Handbook Mul Apin (CT 53 115+) [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 bl[ess the king], our lord! (7) [Concerning] the sta[r ... about which the king, our lord, wrote] to us, it is indeed a sta[r which] does not [...] and appear with them. [The] writing-board of Mul Apin says as follows: (15) "On [the 1]st of Nisan (I), Aries appea[rs]; [on] the 20th of Nisan (I), Auriga appears."

SAA 10 066. (no title) (ABL 0694) [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 [...] (Remainder lost)

SAA 10 073. Šamaš-šumu-ukin to Visit Nineveh (ABL 1383) [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! (7) Concerning what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "Is it favourable for the crown prince to come into the presence of the king?" — it is very favourable. The crown prince may come into the presence of the king, my lord, this (very) day. (r 1) May Bel and Nabû lengthen his days, and may the king, my lord, see him prosper! The month is good, this day is good: the planet Mercury (signifies) the crown prince, and it is vis[ib]le in the constellation [Ari]es; Venu…

SAA 10 075. The Moon Makes an Eclipse (ABL 0407) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-ahhe-eriba. Good health to the king, my lord! (Since) this is a gloomy day, I did not send the (introductory) blessing. (8) The eclipse swept from the east(ern quadrant) and settled over the entire west(ern quadrant of the moon). (12) The planets Jupiter and Venus were present during the eclipse, until it cleared. With the king, my lord, (all) is well; it is evil for the Westland. Tomorrow I shall send the king, my lord, a (full) report on (this) eclipse of the moon.

SAA 10 085. Timing a Trip (ABL 1390) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, [my lord]: your servant A[kkullanu]. Good health to [the king, my lord]! May Nabû and Marduk [bless] the king, my lord! (6) Concerning the travel [..., p]erhaps [......] (Rest destroyed or too fragmentary for translation)

SAA 10 108. Leftovers (CT 53 159) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Akkullanu. [Good] health to the king, my lord! May [Na]bû and Marduk bless [the king], my lord! (6) [......] the month Adar (XII) [......] (Break) (r 4) [...... c]ome (r 5) [...] and your temples (r 6) [...] eats me up ... (r 7) [The king] should ask the official [o]f the Arrapheans [who] brings the leftovers: "How many oxen and sheep in oil [....] to the Inner City ...[...]?" (Rest destroyed)

SAA 10 110. New Moon on 1st Day; Appointment of Adad-šumu-uṣur (ABL 1373) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king of the lands, my lord: your servant Bel-ušezib. May Bel, Nabû and Šamaš bless the king, my lord! (3) If the moon becomes visible on the 1st day: reliable speech, the land will become happy. (4) [If the day] reaches its normal length: a reign of long days. (5) [If the moon at its ap]pearance wears a crown: the king will reach the highest rank. (6) The mayor of Babylon [...... Na'id-Ma]rduk of Bit-Yakin on account of (7) [...]. He became angry and [......] in his presence (8) [...]-ilu son of Illil-zera-ibni in his presence (9) [...] He said to him as follows: (10) "[...], and…

SAA 10 112. Predicting the Fall of Mannea; Intrigues Against the King (CT 54 022) [from astrologers]

(1) [To the king of the la]nds, my lord: your servant Bel-ušezib. May [Bel, Na]bû and Šamaš bless the king, my lord! (3) I saw the crescent of the moon but the sun was rising; he may have cleansed it, but it was not to be seen. (4) Whether it was a crescent, or whether it appeared on the 15th, or whether it will appear on the 16th day, it is an evil portent, and it concerns the Manneans. Wherever an enemy attacks a country, the country will carry this evil portent. (8) Now the army of the king, my lord, having attacked the Manneans, has captured forts, plundered towns and pillaged the open…

SAA 10 121. New Moon on 1st Day (CT 54 523) [from astrologers]

(1) [To the king of the lands], my lord: your servant Bel-ušezib. May [Bel, Nabû and Šam]aš bless the king, my lord! (3) [If the moon becomes visible on the 1st day]: reliable [speech], the land will become happy. (4) [If the day reaches its normal length: a rei]gn of long days. (5) [If the moon at its appearance wears a crown: the king] will reach the highest rank. (6) [If ......]... (Break) (r 3) [......] The king, my lord, [can be] gl[ad indeed]. (r 4) All [gods] to the king my lord (r 5) [......] old age (r 6) [......] days [have o]rdained (r 7) [......] ...... (r 8) [......]... old age (r…

SAA 10 133. No Eclipse of the Moon (ABL 0909) [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) The moon [skipped the eclipse on the x]th day. On the 15th [day ... we]nt (Remainder lost)

SAA 10 140. No Crescent Seen (HAV 256f) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Issar-nadin-apli, the foreman of (the collegium of) ten (scribes) of Arbela. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû, Marduk, and Ištar of Arbela bless the king, my lord! (10) We kept watch on the 29th; we did not see the moon. (r 4) Month of Marchesvan (VIII), 1st day, eponym year of Ahi-ila'i (649)