All tablets.

SAA 08 533. Lunar Halo (RMA 116B) [lunar]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) If the moon is surro[unded] by a halo and it lingers on: [giving of the reign to the king]. ... [......] moon [......]. (r 2) From [NN].

~670 BCE·

Neo-Assyrian

SAA 8

SAA 08 534. (no title) (RMA 277Q) [unclassifiable]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...] ... [......]. (2) [If the moon at] its appearance [is covered] by a membrane: [...] ... [......] all lands [......] becomes visible. (Rest too fragmentary for translation)

Religion & Myth·Astronomy & Mathematics

SAA 08 535. Eclipse of the Moon on Sivan 15 (ABCD 280f) [eclipses]

(1) If the moon makes an eclipse in Sivan (III) on the 15th day: [......] his servants will kill him in a revolt, variant: his elders [...] will die [...]. (4) If the moon makes an eclipse in Sivan (III) in the evening watch: attack of fish, variant: [of locusts]. (5) If the moon makes an eclipse in Sivan (III): the flood will come and flo[od wat]er will [devastate] the land. (6) If it makes an eclipse in the evening watch, and it finishes the watch, and the south wind blows: fall of the king of [E]lam, the king of the Guti, and of their land. (8) If in Sivan (III) [from] the 1st day to the…

SAA 08 536. Last Visibility of Venus in Pleiades (RMA 205A) [planetary]

(1) [If Venus] se[ts] in Nisan (I): the harvest of the land will happen, variant: will pr[osper]. (3) If the Frond star reaches the Pleiades: [Adad will devastate. —] Venus [stands] in the Pleiades. (5) If Venus [is risen] in winter in the [East], at harvest time [in the We]st: (Break) (r 1) [...] ... [......] ... of the king my lord [......] before me, [......] when I swore an oath [......] is good so I did not write to the king my lord. (r 6) [From ...]a, son of Bel-ušallim.

SAA 08 537. Sighting of Venus (RMA 211C) [planetary]

(1) [If] Venus [disappears] in [Nisan (I): there will be] wailings [in the land]. (3) [If] Venus [becomes visible] inside [the Field star: there will be] rain from the sky, flood [from the springs; the harvest] of the Westl[and will prosper]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 08 538. Sighting of Venus in Pisces (RMA 211B) [planetary]

(1) [If Venus] becomes visible [in Sheba]t (XI): [the harvest of the land] will prosper. (3) [If the Worm] star is very massive: there will be [mercy and] peace in the land. — [Venus stand]s in Anunitu. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 08 539. Sighting of Venus in Šebat (RMA 211D) [planetary]

(1) If Venus [becomes visible] in [Shebat (XI)]: the harvest of the land will pr[osper ...]. (3) If Venus [...] in [Shebat (XI)]: the people of the land [......]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 08 541. Venus and Mars (RMA 236F) [planetary]

(Beginning destroyed) (2) rai[nbow ......]. (3) If ... [......] rainbow [...]. (5) If Venus is red: plenty for the peop[le ...]. (6) If the light of Venus at its rising is like a clo[ud ......]. (7) If Venus at its rising until the end of Ab (V) [......]. (8) If Mars [carries] white radiance: [......]. (9) [This is] doubly good for the ki[ng my lord]. (10) [If a planet stands in] the east: attack of Subartu and [the Kassites against the land]. (11) [If .......]. (12) [If Nergal in] his appearance [is white and scintillates like the fi[xed stars: ......; the cat]tle of Akkad will lie…

SAA 08 542. (no title) (RMA 277I) [unclassifiable]

(1) (Beginning destroyed or untranslatable) (5) [If ...] Mars [......]: cattle [and ......] will not prosper; the Westland [...]. (r 1) [If two stars] stand in the halo of the moon: [a reign of] long [days]. (r 3) [From ...]...[...].

SAA 08 543. Cancer in Lunar Halo, Planets (RMA 105) [planetary]

(1) If in Kislev (IX) [Scorpius'] breast is bright, [its tail is dark], its horns are opposing each other: rain and flood [will be early] for the la[nd; locusts] will attack and devour the land; fall of cattle [and shepherds' huts]; weapons will be raised and [the enemy land will ...], variant: will be conquered [......]. (8) Mercury and [......]. (r 1) If the moon is surrounded by a halo, and [......]: loss of cattle [......]. (r 3) If ditto and a star stands in it: [the king and the troops] will be shut up [...]. (r 5) If ditto, and Cancer [stands in it]: the king of Akkad [will extend] the…

SAA 08 544. (no title) (RMA 244B) [unclassifiable]

(Beginning destroyed) (2) If the Scales [...] before the moon [...] the reign of the king will become long [......]. (4) If Orion [comes close] to [the moon: the day]s of the reign of the king will become long [......]. (r 1) [If] a meteor's train [extends] to the west: the king of the Westland [will rule the land]. (r 3) [...] of the sky ... [...... Sat]urn [......]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 08 545. Mercury in Scorpius (RMA 214A) [planetary]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) If Scorpius [is dark: therein will be] reconciliation [in the land. —] Mer[cury] stan[ds in Scorpius]. (5) If a planet [becomes visible ...: rain] and flood [...]. (r 1) — The moon will be seen [...] on the 15th day [......]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 08 546. (no title) (RMA 237A) [unclassifiable]

(Beginning destroyed) (r 1) [......] ... [......] well-being of the Westland [......]. (r 4) [If] the Yoke star [is turned] towards sun[set] when it comes out, (if) the west wind [rises and] turns towards the south: on [the 10th day] of Elul (VI) a destruct[ion of the land will take place]. (r 6) [If] the Yoke star is turned towards sunrise when it comes out and [looks] at the front of [the sky], and no wind blows: there will be fa[min]e; [the dynasty will end in catastrophe].

SAA 08 547. Saturn Stationary(?) (RMA 050) [planetary]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [If Scorpius'] horns [at its appearance] are twisted: [the enemy will attack, but] fall in battle. (3) [If Scorpius'] horns carry radiance: [......] will conquer. (5) [Sat]urn (is equivalent to) [the Scal]es [......]. (r 1) [If the Scal]es' position is stable: there will be [recon]ciliation and peace in the land. (r 3) [The sign of the] appearance of [Sat]urn came about for the ki[ng my lord]. May [the king my lo]rd be ha[ppy; may the king my lord] be glad. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 08 548. Pleiades Near New Moon (RMA 243C) [planetary]

(1) If at the moon's appearance the Pleiades [stand] at [its] side: the king will exercise world dominion; his land [will expand]. (3) If the Pleiades come close to the top of the moon [and stand there]: the king will exercise world dominion; his land [will expand]. (5) If the Pleiades stand in it: [...] the seven gods [......]. (Break) (r 1) [...] for many days [......] I have been sick [...] (r 3) [...] of the king my lord [......] ... [......].

SAA 08 549. (no title) (RMA 246C) [unclassifiable]

(1) If the rising of Enmešarra is very [red]: it will increase the flood. (4) [If] Mercury [......]. (Break) (r 1) the son [will speak the truth] with [his father]. (r 2) If Cancer [stands in the halo of the moon]: the king of Akkad will extend the life.

SAA 08 550. (no title) (RMA 277AB) [unclassifiable]

(1) [...] ... turned. (2) [— ...] stands in front of Pabilsag. (3) [If ......] Scorpius stands: there will be [...] in the land. [The sting of Scorpius] is Pabilsag. (Break) (r 1) will dwell in p[eace; the gods] will listen to prayers and answer [the diviner's queries].

SAA 08 551. (no title) (RMA 277E) [unclassifiable]

(1) [If ...] comes close to the front of the moon and stands there: [......] ... [......] of the world will take place. (4) [From ...], son of Kudurru.

SAA 08 552. Meteor (RMA 246E) [occasional]

(1) [If a meteor flashes from east] to west [and sets]: the main army of the enemy [will fall]. (4) If a star flares up again and again, ... [...] is scattered [...]: the ruler in ... [......]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 08 554. (no title) (RMA 262C) [unclassifiable]

(1) [If ......] continually: the harvest of the land will prosper. (3) [If lightning] flashes [......: Adad will] devastate. (5) [......] city and ... [......]. (Break) (r 1) [......] ... [......] will diminish [......] king.

SAA 08 555. Earthquake (RMA 265B) [weather]

(1) If an earthquake [......]: the king with [......]. (3) If the earth [quakes] in Tammuz (IV): [the ruler will be humiliated in the land], variant: in the pa[lace]. (5) If the earth [quakes] at night: [worry for the land], variant: abandonme[nt of the land]. (Break) (r 1) ... [......]. (r 2) This [is its interpretation: ......] good [......].

SAA 08 557. (no title) [unclassifiable]

(Beginning destroyed) (r 1) [...] inside the house [......]. (r 2) From Bel-[...].

SAA 08 558. (no title) [unclassifiable]

(1) [If ...] the moon and [sun are seen to]gether (2) [......]... [...] (3) [......] tog[ether] (Break) (r 1) in Arbela ... [......].

SAA 08 559. (no title) (RMA 277H) [unclassifiable]

(1) [If ......] ... [......] stands [in] Scorpius: (4) [......] in the land [......] ... (6) [......] not written (7) [...] there will be floods. (8) [......] the 13th day of this month [...] will go out [of Scorpius]. (10) [......] the moon ... [......] ... [......] Scorpius ... [......] stood. (Break) (r 8) [......] in Scorpius [...].

SAA 08 560. (no title) [unclassifiable]

(1) [...... h]imself (2) [......] fell (3) [......] died (4) [......] leader (5) [...... d]ied (6) [......] died (7) [......] were given (8) [......] long (r 1) [......] black (r 2) [The king my lord can be] glad. (r 3) [......] the Pleiades (r 4) [......] Old Man star (Rest destroyed or too broken for translation)

SAA 08 561. (no title) (RMA 277V) [unclassifiable]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...] on the horizon the moon and sun [......] (2) ... high when [...] (3) [...] ... for the king [......] ... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 08 565. Hemerology (RMA 277D) [calendrical]

(1) In Shebat (XI), on [the xth] day [......] (2) in the palace [......] (3) the year [......] (4) ... [......] (5) In Adar (XII), on the 3[rd] day [......] (6) to the aki[tu (festival) ......] (7) and Nabu [......] (8) in the tem[ple ......] (r 1) let the king sen[d ......] (r 2) The 3rd day of [......] (r 3) a weapon to [Marduk ...] (r 4) and Nabu [......] (Break) (r 6) From [NN].

SAA 08 566. (no title) (RMA 277C) [unclassifiable]

(Too broken for translation; maybe not even a report)

Astronomy & Mathematics·Religion & Myth

SAA 08 567. Hemerology for Month Iyyar [calendrical]

(1) In Iyyar (II) on the 20th day let him gi[ve] bread [...] (2) opposite the gate of the sacred rooms of the temple of Nusku [......] (3) their sick eyes which ... [......]. (4) In Iyyar (II) on the 20th day let him [kill] a [sn]ake: he will reach the highest rank. (6) Snake ... [......]. (Break) (r 1) ... [......] (r 2) of the king ... [...] (r 3) and Adad-[......] (r 4) bodyguard ... [...] went, (r 5) he killed Kudurru, son of Bel-[...], an informer, and when he denou[nced] Bel-naṣir ... [...], (r 8) these months in front [...] (r 9) staff-bearer [......].

SAA 09 001. Oracles of Encouragement to Esarhaddon (4 R 2 61)

(Beginning destroyed) (i 1) [......] strong (f.) (i 2) [......] is wide (f.) (i 3) [......] ... (i 4) [Esarh]addon, king of the lands, fear [not]! (i 6) What wind has risen against you, whose wing I have not broken? Your enemies will roll before your feet like ripe apples. (i 11) I am the Great Lady; I am Ištar of Arbela, who cast your enemies before your feet. What words have I spoken to you that you could not rely upon? (i 18) I am Ištar of Arbela. I will flay your enemies and give them to you. (i 20) I am Ištar of Arbela. I will go before you and behind you. (i 24) Fear not! You are…

SAA 09 002. Oracles Concerning Babylon and the Stabilization of the King’s Rule (TI pl.2f+)

(Beginning broken away) (i 1) [...... sp]oke (i 2) [... have stre]ngthened (i 3) [......] their (i 4) [......] I will give (i 5) [... I am] the Creatress. (i 6) I will put [...] in order (i 7) and consolidate [the throne of Esarha]ddon. (i 8) [......]. We are the goddesses (i 9) [...... i]n Esaggil. (i 10) Esarhaddon, king of Assyria! I will seize [your enemies] and trample [them under my foot]. (i 13) [Be not a]fraid, mother of the king. (i 14) [From the mouth of Nabû]-hussanni of the Inner City. (i 15) [Have no fe]ar, Esarhaddon! (i 16) [Like a] skilled pilot [I will st]eer [the ship] into…

SAA 09 003. The Covenant of Aššur (ABRT 1 22-23)

(i 1) (Beginning destroyed) (i 5) favour [......] (i 6) give [......]! (i 7) He has taken care of [...], (i 8) he has promoted th[eir ...]. (i 9) Heaven and earth are [well]; Ešarra is [wel]l; Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, is [well]. (i 12) [May the well-b]eing which Esarhaddon [has established] gain footing! (i 14) Aššur has arranged [a feast in] Ešarra. (i 15) [......] of the Inner City (i 16) [...... Es]arhaddon (i 17) [......] (i 18) [...... l]ifts up (i 19) [......] the lands (i 20) [......] before Aššur (i 21) [......] with Esarhaddon (i 22) [......] they come (i 23) [......] they burn…

SAA 09 005. An Oracle to the Queen Mother (TI pl.4)

(1) The word of Ištar of Arbela [to the king's mother: ...] (2) My knees are bent fo[r ......]. (3) Mullissu [has heard] the cry [of her calf]. (4) Gird (f.) your loins! [......] (5) of Esarhaddon, king of Assyria [......] (6) Ninurta [shall go] at the right and left side o[f .......] (7) [shall put] his enemies under [his] foot [......] (8) I will g[o out] to the Palace of the Steppe [...] (9) I will give security for [Esarhaddon, king of Assyria] (10) [His] e[nemies] (r 1) within [......] (r 2) I will [......] (r 3) The enemy who [......] (r 4) the enemy who ... [...] (r 5) we will cast [bef…

SAA 09 006. An Oracle from Tašmetu-ereš of Arbela

(1) Ištar of Arbe[la has said: ......] (2) "I will put in order [......] (3) I will put in order [......] (4) ... [......] (5) "the city [......] (6) Th[ey ...]ed [......] (7) they entered [......] (8) of the king [......] (9) they killed [......] (10) I will c[ast ......] (r 1) "I do not [......] (r 2) help [......] (r 3) I heard and [......] (r 4) your enemies [......] (r 5) this [......] (r 6) prophes[ied ......] (r 7) [wit]hin [......] (r 8) who prophes[ied ......] (r 9) before [......] (r 10) until [your] enemi[es ......]. (r 11) [T]ašmetu-ereš, a [prophet of ......], (r 12) pro[phesied]…

SAA 09 007. Prophecies for Crown Prince Assurbanipal (ABRT 1 26-27)

(1) The prophetess Mullissu-kabtat (has said): (2) "It is the word of Queen Mullissu: Fear not, Assurbanipal! (3) "Until I have done and given to you what I promised, until you rule as king over the sons of the bearded courtiers and the successors of the eunuchs, [I will look af]ter you in the Palace of Succession; [your father] shall gird the diadem [...]. (8) "[The ... king]s of the lands shall say to one another: ['Come, let us] go to Assurbanipal! The king has witnesses! [Whatever the god]s decreed for our fathers and forefathers, [let him now] arbitrate between us.' (12) "[Mullis]su…

SAA 09 008. Words Concerning the Elamites (ABL 1280)

(1) Words [concerning the Elam]ites. (2) [God] says as follows: (3) "I have go[ne and I ha]ve come." (4) He s[ai]d (this) five, six times, and then: (5) "I have come from the [m]ace. I have pulled out the snake which was inside it, I have cut it in pieces, and I have broken the mace." (8) And (he said): "I will destroy Elam; its army shall be levelled to the ground. In this manner I will finish Elam."

SAA 09 010. Fragment of a Prophecy (CT 53 946)

(Beginning destroyed) (3) we [......] (4) because [......] (5) before [......] (6) face [......] (Break) (r 1) shall be [......] (r 2) shall bring me out [......] (r 3) shall give the kingship [......] (r 4) of all lands [......] (r 5) the day when you [......] (r 6) and those who are lo[yal ......] (r 7) I will lengthen [......] (Break) (l.e. 1) [...] the woman Dunnaša-amur (said): "[......] (l.e. 2) [...] the prophetess who [......]

SAA 09 011. Report on a Vision and an Oracle to Assurbanipal (CT 53 219)

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...] wen[t ......] (2) did you/she [not] go t[o ......] (3) "days ... [......] (4) "I will vanquish the enemy of Assurbanipal [......] (5) "Sit down! I will put the lands in orde[r ......] (6) "In my pr[evious] vision [......] (7) "very [much]; a golden star ornament [......] (8) [a t]able, one 'litre' of strong bread upon [it ......] (9) a ... platter [......] (10) [...]s pulled taut [......] (11) [un]der the [golden] star ornament [......] (12) [at] my head [......] (13) [s]tar[s ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 10 001. Enthroning a Substitute King (ABL 0332) [from astrologers]

(1) [To] the 'farmer,' [our] lord: your [servants] Nabû-zeru-leš[ir], [Ad]ad-šumu-uṣur, Nabû-šumu-[iddina], [Urad]-Ea and Issar-šumu-[ereš]. [Good hea]lth to [our lo]rd! (Break) (r 3) We [shall go] to Nineveh.

SAA 10 002. The Substitute King Reveals a Conspiracy (ABL 0223) [from astrologers]

(1) To the 'farmer,' my lord: your servant Nabû-zeru-lešir. Good health to my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless my lord for many years! (6) I wrote down whatever signs there were, be they celestial, terrestrial or of malformed births, and had them recited in front of Šamaš, one after the other. They (the substitute king and queen) were treated with wine, washed with water and anointed with oil; I had those birds cooked and made them eat them. The substitute king of the land of Akkad took the signs on himself. (14) He cried out: "Because of what ominous sign have you enthroned a substitute…

SAA 10 004. Substitute King Ascends Throne in Akkad (CT 53 206) [from astrologers]

(Beginning destroyed) (3) [... entered the city of] Akkad and ascended (the throne). (5) I [...] in the city of Akkad; the foundation stone has been complet[ely] bui[lt in ...]; they are p[roducing] the bricks. (r 3) I have given the ord[ers and they are doing (the work)]. (r 4) If [my] lo[rd commands, ... in] the palace (r 6) [the substitute k]ing [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 10 005. Auspicious Days for Treaty Ceremonies (ABL 0384) [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! (8) The 20th, the 22nd and the 25th are good days for concluding the treaty. We shall undertake (that) they may conclude it whenever the king, my lord, says.

SAA 10 006. Convening Scribes for Treaty Ceremonies (ABL 0386) [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! (6) The scribes of the cities of Nin[eveh], Kilizi and Arbela (could) ent[er] the treaty; they have (already) come. (However), those of Assur [have] not (yet) [come]. The king, my lord, [knows] that they are cler[gymen]; (15) If it suits the king, my lord, let the former who have (already) come, enter the treaty; the citizens of Nineveh and Calah would be free soon and could enter (the treaty) under (the statues of) Bel and Nabû on the 8th day. (r 1)…

SAA 10 007. Scholars to Enter the Treaty (ABL 0033) [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! (6) The scribes, the haruspices, the exorcists, the physicians and the augurs staying in the palace and living in the city will enter the treaty on the 16th of Nisan (I). (r 1) Now, let them conclude the treaty tomorrow.

SAA 10 008. Omens from Retrograding Planets (ABL 0519) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Issar-šumu-ereš. Good health to [the ki]ng, my lord! May Nabû [and Marduk] bless [the king], my lord! (5) Con[cerning what the king, my lo]rd, wrote to me: "[Why] have you never told me [the truth]? [When] will you (actually) tell me [all] that there is to it?" — [Aššur, Sin, Šamaš, B]el, Nabû, [Jupiter, Venus, Sat]urn, [Mercury, Mars], Sirius and [...] be my witnesses [that] I [have never] untruly (14) [......] the word (15) [... to] the king, my lord (16) [...... signs which] have occurred in the sky (17) [......] Jupiter (18) [......] backwards (19)…

SAA 10 009. A Royal Funeral (ABL 0670) [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! (6) As to what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "Ask Bel-naṣir, Bel-ipuš and (other) Babylonians whom you know" — I asked them, and they said to me as follows: "An hour after sunrise, the display takes place; an hour and a half after sunrise, [the disp]lay takes place again. [Thereafter] your [bu]rnt-offering [is made]; the display [...] (Break) (r 1) Bel-i[puš] said [as fol]lows: "When the display has been finished, two torches should be moved past the place…

SAA 10 010. Earthquake in Nineveh (ABL 0034) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, [my lord]: your servant Issar-šumu-ereš. Good health to the king, [my lo]rd! [May] Nabû and Marduk [bless] the king, my lord! (5) As to what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "What apotropaic ritual is there?" — there is the apotropaic ritual against earthquake, and it should be performed; [...] should enter the Review Palace. The following (is) [what] is said abo[ut the matter] in the tablet: (11) [If ......, ...] will stay ... (12) [If ......], in that year the prince [......] (Break) (r 2) [... ever]ybody has now [...] (r 3) [...]ed, picked up [...], and ...... (r 5) The king…

SAA 10 011. Transferring Evil Omens to a Substitute (CT 53 593) [from astrologers]

(1) [To] my [lord]: [your servant Issar-šumu-e]reš. [Good health to] my lord! [May Nabû and] Marduk bless [my lord]! (6) [As to what my lord wr]ote to me: "[Let him hear the signs] in front of the [Šam]aš!" — I waited for [...] (10) I saw [...], he saw [...]. (12) [Wh]atever I did not see [but] is known to my lord (14) [...] himself (15) [...] revealed (16) [... a]s follows (Rest destroyed)

SAA 10 012. Enthroning a Substitute King (ABL 0676) [from astrologers]

(1) To my lord: your servant Issar-šumu-ereš. Good health to my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless my lord! (6) Concerning the substitute king [about whom] my lord wrote to me, [M]a[rs is em]erging [fr]om the Breast [of Scorpius ......] (Break) (r 1) [Concerning the s]igns [about which my lord w]rote to me, [after] we had enthroned him, we had him hear them in front of Šamaš. Furthermore, yesterday I had him hear them again, and I bent down and bound them in his hem. Now I shall again do as my lord wrote to me.

SAA 10 013. Royal Statues for Harran (ABL 0036) [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! (6) Concerning the royal statues in the city of Harran, about which the king, my lord, wrote [to me]: "Write out for me the favourable month and day on which they should enter (the city), and also the place where they should stand" — [the month ...] is auspicious for the transportation and the [set]ting up (of the statues). [The relevant] interpretation is [as follo]ws: (Break) (r 2) If it [is acceptable] to the king, my lord, the large royal statues should…