Theme
Astronomy & Mathematics
Babylonian astronomers tracked planets for centuries; their mathematicians invented sexagesimal arithmetic — the reason we still divide hours into 60 minutes and circles into 360 degrees.
Related dossier
The Mesopotamian Sky: Anunnaki, Nibiru and “Ancient Astronauts”
Read the investigation
TMH 05, 065
67½ nindan, the long side (length), the short side (width): (so that the area is) 1 iku of field. (Result:) 1 nindan, 5 cubits, 2 šu-du-a (spans), 3 fingers and ⅓ finger. Il-il (?).
Astronomy & Mathematics
SF 082
Catalogue entry from CDLI (ED IIIa (ca. 2600-2500 BC)) — SF 082. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
MSCT 1, 160, MS 3047
Catalogue entry from CDLI (ED IIIa (ca. 2600-2500 BC) ?) — MSCT 1, 160, MS 3047. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
OIP 014, 070
Catalogue entry from CDLI (ED IIIb (ca. 2500-2340 BC)) — OIP 014, 070. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
CDLJ 2005/2 §2.1
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Akkadian (ca. 2340-2200 BC)) — CDLJ 2005/2 §2.1. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
MAD 5, 112
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Akkadian (ca. 2340-2200 BC) ?) — MAD 5, 112. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
Plimpton 322
Whatever its purpose, this single tablet shows that Babylonian mathematicians, working in base-60, had an arithmetic understanding of right triangles a millennium before Pythagoras was born.
Astronomy & Mathematics
CDLI Literary 000762, ex. 032 & 000823, ex. 002
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC)) — CDLI Literary 000762, ex. 032 & 000823, ex. 002. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Religion & MythDaily LifeAstronomy & Mathematics
CDLI Literary 000795, ex. 051
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC)) — CDLI Literary 000795, ex. 051. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Religion & MythDaily LifeAstronomy & Mathematics
CDLI Literary 000795, ex. 052
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC)) — CDLI Literary 000795, ex. 052. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Religion & MythDaily LifeAstronomy & Mathematics
CDLI Literary 000795, ex. 053
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC)) — CDLI Literary 000795, ex. 053. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Religion & MythDaily LifeAstronomy & Mathematics
CDLI Literary 000795, ex. 055
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC)) — CDLI Literary 000795, ex. 055. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Religion & MythDaily LifeAstronomy & Mathematics
CDLI Literary 000796, ex. 080
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC)) — CDLI Literary 000796, ex. 080. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Religion & MythDaily LifeAstronomy & Mathematics
CDLI Literary 000796, ex. 081
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC)) — CDLI Literary 000796, ex. 081. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Religion & MythDaily LifeAstronomy & Mathematics
CDLI Literary 000796, ex. 082
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC)) — CDLI Literary 000796, ex. 082. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Religion & MythDaily LifeAstronomy & Mathematics
CDLI Literary 000796, ex. 083
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC)) — CDLI Literary 000796, ex. 083. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Religion & MythDaily LifeAstronomy & Mathematics
CDLI Literary 000799, ex. 006
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC)) — CDLI Literary 000799, ex. 006. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Religion & MythDaily LifeAstronomy & Mathematics
CDLI Literary 000799, ex. 007
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Old Babylonian (ca. 1900-1600 BC)) — CDLI Literary 000799, ex. 007. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Religion & MythDaily LifeAstronomy & Mathematics
BagM 28, 199 14
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — BagM 28, 199 14. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
BagM 28, 201 18
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — BagM 28, 201 18. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
BE 14, 004
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — BE 14, 004. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Religion & MythAstronomy & Mathematics
BE 20/1, 002
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — BE 20/1, 002. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
BE 20/1, 003
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — BE 20/1, 003. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
BE 20/1, 009
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — BE 20/1, 009. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
BE 20/1, 012
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — BE 20/1, 012. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
BE 20/1, 017
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — BE 20/1, 017. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Writing & LiteratureAstronomy & Mathematics
BE 20/1, 026bis, pl. X
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — BE 20/1, 026bis, pl. X. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Writing & LiteratureAstronomy & Mathematics
CBS 03919
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — CBS 03919. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
CBS 03920
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC)) — CBS 03920. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
CBS 04295
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Babylonian (ca. 1400-1100 BC) ?) — CBS 04295. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
Babylonian Liver Omens 193, plts. XI & XLII-XLIII
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Assyrian (ca. 1400-1000 BC)) — Babylonian Liver Omens 193, plts. XI & XLII-XLIII. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Religion & MythAstronomy & Mathematics
Sm 0400
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Middle Assyrian (ca. 1400-1000 BC)) — Sm 0400. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Religion & MythAstronomy & Mathematics
Ashurbanipal 084
Links a lunar eclipse, divine omens, and the Elamite king's physical affliction — paralyzed lip, diminished eye — to justify Ashurbanipal's campaign: a rare royal text weaving extispicy logic directly into annalistic narrative.
Religion & MythAstronomy & Mathematics
SAA 08 001. Thunder in Ab, King Ill (RMA 257) [weather]
(1) If in Ab (month V) Adad thunders, the day becomes cloudy, it rains, (and) lightning flashes: the waters will decrease at the source. (4) If Adad shouts on a cloudless day: there will be darkness — variant: famine — in the land. (6) Concerning this ill health, the king, my lord, should not worry (lit. 'should not speak from his heart'). (8) It is a disease of the season; all the people who are sick will get well. (11) Moreover, the king, my lord, who is one who reveres the gods — day and night he prays to the gods … (The text continues but the remainder is not preserved in the given transli…
Religion & MythAstronomy & Mathematics
SAA 04 017. Cimmerian and Cilician Invasion of ... (PRT 043) [military and political]
(Beginning destroyed) (r 0) [Let them be taken out] and put aside! (r 1) [I ask you, Šamaš, great lord, whether the troops of the C]immerians, [or the troops of the ...ians, or the troops of the] Cilicians [......] (r 4) [...... will go] to the district of [......] (r 5) [......] who inhabit the land of U[...] (r 6) [......] will wage [war ...].[Be present] in [this ram, place (in it) a firm positive answer], favorable designs, [favorable, propitious] omens [by the oracular command] of your great divinity, [and may I see (them)]. (Rest destroyed)
Religion & MythAstronomy & Mathematics
SAA 04 022. Fragment Similar to Nos. 20-21 (AGS 087) [military and political]
(Beginning destroyed) (1) honestly [...... speak friendly words of] reconciliation [with Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, keep the treaty, and do] what[ever is pleasing] to [Esarhaddon, king of Assyria]? (4) [Be present in] this ram, [place (in it) a firm positive answer, favorable designs], favorable, [propitious] omens [by the oracular command of your great divinity, and may I see (them)]. (6) [May (this query) go to] your great [divini]ty, [O Šamaš, great lord, and may an oracle be given as an answer]. (7) [......] It has a 'station.' The 'pa[th' ......]. (8) [...... The right of the 'finger']…
Religion & MythAstronomy & Mathematics
SAA 04 023. Will Scythians Invade Assyria through Passes of Hubuškia? (AGS 035) [military and political]
(1) [Šamaš, great lord, give me a firm positive answer to what I am asking you]! (2) [From this day, the 22nd day of this month, Sivan (III), to the 21st day of the following month, Tammuz (IV), of this year, for 30 days and nights], the stip[ulated term for the performance of (this) extispicy — within this stipulated term], (5) will the troops of the S[cyth]ia[ns, which have been staying in the district of Mannea and which are (now) moving out from the territory] of Mannea, strive and plan? (6) Will they move out and go through the passes [of Hubuškia] to the city Harrania (and) the city…
Religion & MythAstronomy & Mathematics
SAA 04 024. Should Esarhaddon Send his Messenger to Hubuškia? (AGS 025+) [military and political]
(1) [Šamaš, great lord, gi]ve m[e a firm positive answer to what I am asking you]! (2) [Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, who is now intent] on sending a messenger [of his choice to NN, king of Hubuški]a, and (whom) [your great divinity] knows — (5) [in accordance with the command of your great divinity, Šamaš, great lord, and yo]ur favo[rable decisions, should the subject of this query, Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, strive and] p[la]n, and [send his messenger to Hubuškia]? (7) [If he, having planned, sen]ds (him), [his messenger, whom he is sen]ding [to Hubuškia] — (9) will [the Urarṭians, or the…
Religion & MythAstronomy & Mathematics
SAA 04 025. Esarhaddon Sending his Messenger to NN (AGS 026) [military and political]
(1) [Šamaš, great lord], giv[e me a fi]rm [positive answer to what I am asking you]! (2) [Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, who is now inten]t [on sending] words of [his own choo]sing [in the hand of his messenger to NN, king of the ...e]ans, (Break) (r 1) [... of] this [month], the month [...]. (r 2) [May (this query) g]o [to your great divinity, O Šamaš, great lord], and may an oracle be [given as an answer].
Religion & MythAstronomy & Mathematics
SAA 04 026. Esarhaddon and Hubuškia (AGS 039) [military and political]
(Beginning destroyed) (1) [... Is it decreed and confirmed in a favorable case], by the command of your [great] divinity, [Šamaš, great lord? Will he who can s]ee, see it? Will he who can he[ar], he[ar it]? (3) [Disregard the (formulation) of today's case, be it good], be it faulty, (and that) the day is overcast and it is ra[ining]. (4) [Disregard that a clean or an unclean person has touched the sacrificial sheep, o]r bloc[ked] the way of the sacrificial sheep. (5) [Disregard that an unclean man or woman] has come near the place of the extispicy and made it unclean. (6) [Disregard that an…
Religion & MythAstronomy & Mathematics
SAA 04 027. Fragment Mentioning Hubuškia (AGS 040) [military and political]
(Beginning destroyed) (r 1) [...... I ask you, Šamaš], great lord, [whether Esarhaddon, ki]ng of Assyria, should [...] (r 3) [...... Hu]buškia [...] (r 4) [......] (r 5) [......] the city Šarru-[...] (Rest destroyed)
Religion & MythAstronomy & Mathematics
SAA 04 029. Will Mannean Troops Capture Šarru-iqbi? (AGS 016) [military and political]
(Beginning destroyed) (2) or through lack (of soldiers), or [through ......], (3) or by means of ramps, or [battering-rams, or] famine, hunger and wa[nt ......]? (5) [Will they conquer] the city Šarru-iqbi by their fearfulness? [Will the Mannean] troops [through] any [ruse] of conquering a city [drive the forces] of Esarhaddon, king of Assyria [out of it], and will they capture that city, Šarru-iqbi? (9) Will [that city, Šarru-iqbi], be delivered to them? [Does your great] divi[nity know it]? (10) Will he who can see, see it? Will he [who can hear, hear it]? (11) Disregard the (formulation)…
Religion & MythAstronomy & Mathematics
SAA 04 030. Will Army of Assyria Retake Dur-Illil? (AGS 019) [military and political]
(1) [Šamaš, great lord], give me a fi[rm positive answer to what I am asking you]! (2) [Dur-Illil, a fortress of Esarhaddo]n, king of Assyria, located on the border [of Mannea, which the Manneans captured] and took possession of — (4) should [NN together with men, hors]es, and an army, as (great as) he wishes, go [to capture that city, Dur-Il]lil and (will they), (6) be it by means of [war, or by means of friendliness and peace]ful negotiations, [or by means of a tunnel or breach, or by means of] hunger, (8) or through lack [of soldiers in the city], or by means of ramps, [or by ...]..., o[r…
Religion & MythAstronomy & Mathematics
SAA 04 031. Will Army of Assyria Retake Dur-Illil? (PRT 010) [military and political]
(1) [Šamaš, great lord, gi]ve me [a firm positive answer to what I am asking you]! (2) [Dur-Illil, a fortress of Esarhaddo]n, king of Assyria, [located on the border of Mannea, which the Ma]nneans captured, [took possession of], and stationed th[eir troops] within it — (5) [should NN together with men, horses], and an army, as he wishes, [g]o [to capture that city Dur-Illil], and [will they], (7) be it by means of war, [or by means of friendliness or peaceful negotiations], or by means of a breach or a tunnel, [or by means of hunger, or] through lack of soldiers in the city [......] (Break)…
Religion & MythAstronomy & Mathematics
ACT 0208
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Neo-Babylonian (ca. 626-539 BC)) — ACT 0208. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
BM 090824
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Neo-Babylonian (ca. 626-539 BC)) — BM 090824. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
CBS 00162
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Neo-Babylonian (ca. 626-539 BC)) — CBS 00162. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
CBS 00931
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Neo-Babylonian (ca. 626-539 BC)) — CBS 00931. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
CBS 04095
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Neo-Babylonian (ca. 626-539 BC)) — CBS 04095. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
CBS 04097
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Neo-Babylonian (ca. 626-539 BC)) — CBS 04097. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
CBS 04126
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Neo-Babylonian (ca. 626-539 BC)) — CBS 04126. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
CBS 04155
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Neo-Babylonian (ca. 626-539 BC)) — CBS 04155. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
CBS 04165
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Neo-Babylonian (ca. 626-539 BC)) — CBS 04165. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
CBS 10176 + CBS 10808
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Neo-Babylonian (ca. 626-539 BC)) — CBS 10176 + CBS 10808. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Religion & MythAstronomy & Mathematics
Iraq 29, 125
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Neo-Babylonian (ca. 626-539 BC)) — Iraq 29, 125. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Religion & MythAstronomy & Mathematics
Iraq 62, 051 JRL 1073
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Neo-Babylonian (ca. 626-539 BC)) — Iraq 62, 051 JRL 1073. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Religion & MythAstronomy & Mathematics
ADART 5, 057
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Achaemenid (547-331 BC)) — ADART 5, 057. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
JCS 01, 250, F106
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Achaemenid (547-331 BC)) — JCS 01, 250, F106. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Religion & MythAstronomy & Mathematics
MCT 034, CBS 01535
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Achaemenid (547-331 BC)) — MCT 034, CBS 01535. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
ACT 0104
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Hellenistic (323-63 BC)) — ACT 0104. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
ACT 0141
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Hellenistic (323-63 BC)) — ACT 0141. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
ACT 0142
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Hellenistic (323-63 BC)) — ACT 0142. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
ACT 0144
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Hellenistic (323-63 BC)) — ACT 0144. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
ACT 0145
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Hellenistic (323-63 BC)) — ACT 0145. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
ACT 0151
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Hellenistic (323-63 BC)) — ACT 0151. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
ACT 0155
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Hellenistic (323-63 BC)) — ACT 0155. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
ACT 0174
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Hellenistic (323-63 BC)) — ACT 0174. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics
ACT 0186
Catalogue entry from CDLI (Hellenistic (323-63 BC)) — ACT 0186. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).
Astronomy & Mathematics