All tablets.

SAA 08 129. New Moon on 30th Day (ABL 0828) [lunar]

(1) We kept watch on the 29th day; we saw the moon. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king my lord! (r 1) From Nabû'a of Assur.

~670 BCE

·Neo-Assyrian

SAA 8

SAA 08 130. New Moon on 1st Day (ABL 0817) [lunar]

(1) We kept watch on the 29th day; we did not see the moon. May Nabû and Marduk bless the crown prince my lord! (r 1) From Nabû'a of Assur.

Astronomy & Mathematics·Religion & Myth

SAA 08 132. New Moon on 1st Day (ABL 0825) [lunar]

(1) We kept watch on the 29th day; we did not see the moon. May Na[bû and] Marduk bless [the king] my lord! (r 1) From Nabû'a of Assur.

SAA 08 136. Full Moon on 13th Day (ABL 0822) [lunar]

(1) We kept watch; on the 13th day the moon and sun were seen together. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king my lord! (r 1) From Nabû'a of Assur.

SAA 08 137. Full Moon on 15th Day (ABL 0826) [lunar]

(1) We kept watch on the 13th and the 14th day; on the 15th day the moon and sun saw each other. May Aššur, Šamaš, Bel and Nabû bless the king my lord! (r 1) From Nabû'a of Assur.

SAA 08 138. (no title) (ABL 0824) [unclassifiable]

(1) [We kept watch on the ...th day; on the ...]th [day the moon and sun saw] each other. May Nabû and Marduk bless [the king] my lord! (r 1) [From Nab]û'a [of A]ssur.

SAA 08 139. (no title) [unclassifiable]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [we] kept watch; we saw the moon. May Nabû and Marduk bless the king my lord! (Reverse destroyed)

SAA 08 140. Equinox on Nisan 6 (ABL 1428) [calendrical]

(1) On the 6th of Nisan (I) the day and the night were in balance: 6 'double-hours' of daylight, 6 'double-hours' of night. (r 1) May Nabû (and) Marduk bless the king, our lord!

SAA 08 141. Equinox on Nisan 15 (ABL 1429) [calendrical]

(1) On the 15th of Nisan (I) the day and the night were in balance: [6] 'double-hours' of daylight, 6 ['double-hou]rs' of night. (6) May Nabû (and) [Marduk] bless the king, our lord!

SAA 08 142. Equinox on [...] (LAS 351) [calendrical]

(1) [On the ...th of Nisan (I) the day] and the night were in balance: 6 'double-hours' of daylight, 6 'double-hours' of night. (6) May Nabû (and) [Marduk] bless the king, our lord!

SAA 08 157. Morning First of Mercury (RMA 217) [planetary]

(1) Mercury became visible in the east. (2) If a planet becomes visible at the beginning of a month: rain and f[lood]. (4) If a planet becomes visible either [in] Iyyar (II) or in Sivan (III): the flood will come and irrigate the fields. (7) If a planet stands in the east: attack of Subartu and the Kassites against the land. (r 1) This is the time for work. I shall go to Nineveh and station the scribes for writing in the [...] pa[lace]. I shall do whatever the k[ing my lo]rd s[ays] in the center of Nineveh. (r 7) Maybe they won't let me to enter; let them give me a sealed order. (r 9) From Nab…

SAA 08 159. (no title) [unclassifiable]

(Broken) (r 1) From Nabû-mušeṣi.

SAA 08 164. Auspicious Days in Iyyar [calendrical]

(1) [Iyyar (I]I), the 2nd day: [favorable]. (2) The 6th day: [let him take] a wif[e, he will live to ol]d age. (3) The 8th day: an important person will be favorable. (4) The 10th day: at court, favorable. (5) The 12th day: in the street, favorable. (6) The 15th day: perfect seed. (7) The 16th day: joy of heart. (8) The 18th day: convert the cleaned (barley). (Break) (r 9) [From] Aššur-naṣir.

SAA 08 179. (no title) (RMA 274D) [unclassifiable]

(Beginning destroyed) (r 1) [......] ... [...] (r 2) east wind [......]. (r 3) Well-being to [......]. (r 4) The eclipse which [......] (r 5) of Subartu [......] rain and flood [...]. (r 6) From Šumaya.

SAA 08 204. (no title) [unclassifiable]

(1) If on the 15th day the moon and sun [....] accept my prayers [....]. (3) On this day he will pray a day (long) to Šamaš; (5) On this day he will come close to his woman, and his woman will be made pregnant; (8) he will not lose barley and silver. (9) The 16th day: he will not lose barley and silver. (r 1) [......] pertains [to ...]. (r 2) [If] it is agreeable [to the king, my lord] (r 4) (Break) (r 7) [...... as [the k]ing my lord [sa]ys?

SAA 08 206. (no title) (RMA 118A) [unclassifiable]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...] ... [...] ... [......] ... [......] ... (r 1) [......] let them perform a namburbi ritual. (r 3) [ If the moon] wears a rainbow [crown: Adad will devastate the land's harvest; it] will rain [......] ... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 08 209. (no title) (RMA 183A) [unclassifiable]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) If the sun rises and [goes forward]: the king of the world [will make his reign long]. (3) The reign [......] in Nisan (I) at the be[ginning of the year] the Sun-god pronounced long [days (of life)] of the king my lord. (traces)

SAA 08 213. (no title) (RMA 229A) [unclassifiable]

(1) If a planet in ... [......]. (2) If a planet in constellation [......] secondly, will die [......]. (4) If a planet in [......] rains [......]. (6) st[ar ......]. (Rest destroyed) (r 1) st[ar ......] good for [......] the moon on day [x ......]. (r 4) From [......]. (r 5) In Kislev (IX), day [......] ... [......] Ṭabi[ja ...] Zakir [......].

SAA 08 217. (no title) (RMA 277U) [unclassifiable]

(Beginning destroyed) (r 1) [If Mer]cury ... [......] a small harvest [....]. (r 3) The month Šer'i-eburi is Sivan (III).

SAA 08 224. (no title) (RMA 274L) [unclassifiable]

(1) [......] for three years rains [......] prosper, Adad will [...] the crop, [......] an enemy will attack the land, [...] will perish, [......] will not return [...] of Subartu (Rest destroyed)

SAA 08 225. (no title) (RMA 274M) [unclassifiable]

(1) [......] deaths (will occur) in the land continually [......] will be there in the land. [......] morning watch [......] ... to each other [......]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 08 226. (no title) (RMA 262B) [unclassifiable]

(Too fragmentary for translation)

SAA 08 229. (no title) [unclassifiable]

(1) If the moon at its appearance [......] (2) from the 6th day [......] (3) from the 11th day [......] (4) the moon (and) the [sun ......] (5) The sun [......] (6) ... [......] (7) The star of [......] in [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 08 232. Hemerology for Month Iyyar [calendrical]

(1) Iyyar (II), the 2nd day: favorable. (2) The 6th day: let him take a wife, he will live to old age. The 8th day: an important person will be favorable. (3) The 10th day: at court, favorable. The 15th day: perfect seed. (4) The 18th day: convert the cleaned (barley). The 22nd day: at court, favorable; (good for) undertaking of an enterprise. (5) The 24th day: jo[y of he]art; the beginning of tax is set. (6) The 26th day: g[ood] news. Until the marriage of Bel passes, (7) the face of Ištar [...] ... passes [...] Ištar, (8) until Jupiter app[ears and] its [...] does not disappear, the year…

SAA 08 233. Hemerology [calendrical]

(1) The 10th day: at noon, favor[able]. (2) The 11th day: joy of heart. (3) The 17th day: favorable. (4) The 22nd day: ditto. (5) The 23rd day: ditto. (6) The 25th day: ditto. (7) The 26th day: joy of heart.

SAA 08 234. Hemerology for Ab 27-29 (CT 53 916) [calendrical]

(1) The 27th of Ab (V): let him [libate] fine beer, the gods will be favorable. (3) The 29th day: let him erect midribs of the date palm at his gate, he will prevail over his adversary. (r 1) [...] of Šakkan. (r 2) ashar stone for daubing.

Daily Life·Economy

SAA 08 235. Auspicious Days [calendrical]

(1) [......] (2) [In all] 4 auspicious days for performing [...]. (3) [The 1st day] (and) the 3rd day are good; (4) [the 4th day] (and) the 5th day are good; (5) [the 7th day], the 8th day, the 10th day [are good]; (6) [the 14th day], when the moon and sun [......]; (7) [the xth day] in front of Marduk [......]; (8) [the 21st day], the 22nd day [......]; (9) [the 23rd day] in front of Gu[la ......]; (10) [the 24th day], the 25th day in front of [......]; (11) [the 27th day], when the moon in ... [......]. (12) [In all x] auspicious [da]ys for performing extispicy. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 08 236. Fragment of a Hemerology [calendrical]

(1) Nisan (I), the 1st day, the 3rd day, the [x]th day [...] are good [day]s for performing [...]. (3) [The 1st day is] good, the 3rd day is good [...] (4) [... the] 7th [day] is good, the 8th day [...] (5) [... is] good, before [...] (6) [...] he must not [...] (7) [...] Marduk [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 08 237. Birth Omens and Others (CT 28 037) [terrestrial]

(1) If a cow gives birth to three (young): the mind of the land will change. (2) If a cow gives birth to three (young), and 2 are male, 1 female: severity (of cold in that) year; the harvest will not prosper. (4) If a falcon hunts in a man's house: there will be deaths in the man's house. (6) [If] a falcon hunts and [another] falcon takes it away: [the e]nemy will plunder and put [......]. (Break) (r 1) [If a snake] hangs down [from ... of the ent]rance and cuts off the way to a [man's] house: this house will have a protective deity. (r 4) I searched in the tablet about snakes; this (omen) is…

SAA 08 238. Birth Omens (CT 28 030) [terrestrial]

(1) If a cow gives birth to twins: destruct[ion of the land]; fighting; the enemy will attack the prince, and the house of its (the cow's) owner will be scattered. (4) If a cow gives birth to three (young): the mind of the land [will change]. (5) If a mare gives birth to twins: [attack of the enemy]. (6) If a mare [gives birth] to a male and a female, and they have normal hair of the face, feet, [nose, and] hooves: these cattle [will increase]; the king will attack and [overthrow] the land of his enemy; he will plunder the land of his enemy; for its (the mare's) owner there will be worry. (r 5…

SAA 08 239. Birth Omens (CT 28 032) [terrestrial]

(1) If a ram's horns are joined in front: that fold will be increased. (3) If a ram's horns are blunted, variant: broken in front: that fold will expand. (4) If an anomaly's horns are where its right and left ears (should be): the king will rule the (four) quarters. (6) If an anomaly's (only) horn protrudes from its head: the weapon of the king will endure; the land of the prince will expand; the weapons of the king will be strong and the king will have no opponent. (9) [If an anomaly] has only one horn, and it protrudes from the top of its head: the land of the prince will expand; [your…

SAA 08 240. Birth Omens (CT 27 028) [terrestrial]

(1) If the anomalies are double, and they have only one head and two s[pines], and two tails, but only one belly: one will rule the land which two [ru]led. (4) If the anomalies are double, but they have only one head: the land will dwell as if in pastures near the city. (5) If a ewe gives birth to four (lambs): [an enemy will sei]ze [that] land; the prod[uce of the land ...; attack] of a usur[per; there will be confusion in the land]. (r 1) If an ano[maly ......]... will become many; [the prince's land] will revolt against him. (r 3) [From NN].

SAA 08 241. Birth Omens (RMA 276) [terrestrial]

(1) If an anomaly is male and female: omen of Ku-Baba who ruled the land; the land of the king will go to ruin. (5) If an anomaly is male and female and has no testicles: a courtier will command the land, variant: will revolt against the king.

SAA 08 242. Birth Omens [terrestrial]

(1) [If ...]......, that cattle-pen will ... (2) [If an ano]maly has a bump in its back ...[...] your adversary will submit [to you]. (4) [If] an anomaly has an excrescence: the days of the ruler will be long; the [ki]ng will achieve supreme royal power, will have a large army, and will see a reign of prosperity. (8) That cattle-pen will improve. (9) Perhaps the king my lord will say: "Why did you not quote (any omens) from Šumma izbu? (11) There are no [...] in what I [...]. (12) from Šumma i[zbu ......] you quoted ... [......]...[......]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 08 243. Snake Omens (CT 40 021) [terrestrial]

(1) If a snake is seen in a temple: the offerings of that temple will continue for a long time. (3) If a snake keeps scaring (people) in a temple: angry gods will return to the country. (5) If a snake is seen in the temple of Ištar: there will be a food-offering of Ištar. (r 1) If a snake [...] in the temple of Ištar: that temple [...]. (r 3) These are the pertinent omens.

SAA 08 244. Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter (RMA 162) [planetary]

(1) On the 15th day the moon and sun were seen together: a strong enemy will raise his weapons against the land; the enemy will tear down my city gate. (4) The moon will become visible in Iyyar (II) on the 30th day. (5) If the moon becomes visible in Iyyar (II) on the 30th day: the Ahlamû will devour the wealth of the Westland. (7) The moon will be seen in Iyyar (II) on the 16th day together with the sun. (r 2) If Jupiter goes with Venus: there will be praying of the land to the gods. (r 4) Marduk and Zarpanitu will hear the prayers of your troops and will have mercy on your troops. (r 7) Let…

SAA 08 272. Full Moon on 14th Day (RMA 149) [lunar]

(1) [If the moon and] sun are in opposition: [the king of the land] will widen his understanding. (3) [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] will make [the thro]ne last long. (6) [......] ... [......] Elul (VI) [......] in intercalary Elul (VI) [......] let it be additional. (r 4) Let [...] write to [...]ra-ilu, and let him do [...] in intercalary Elul (VI). (r 6) [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 08 296. 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 08 304. 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 08 307. 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 08 309. 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.