All tablets.

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…

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 9

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…

Religion & Myth·Astronomy & Mathematics

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 09 009. Words of Encouragement to Assurbanipal (ZA 24 169+)

(1) [O prote]ge of Mullissu, [...] of the Lady of Arbela! (3) [They] are the strongest among the gods; they [lov]e and keep sending their love [to] Assurbanipal, the creation of their hands. [They g]ive him heart for the sake of his life: (8) I roam the desert desiring your [lif]e. I cross over rivers and oceans, I traverse mountains and mountain chains, I cross over all rivers. Droughts and showers consume me and affect my beautiful figure. I am worn out, my body is exhausted for your sake. (16) I have ordained life for you in the assembly of all the gods. My arms are strong, they shall not…

Religion & Myth

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)

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 100. Morning First of Mars in Iyyar, Eclipse of the Sun (ABL 0679+) [from astrologers]

(1) [To] the king, my lord: [your servant] Akkullanu. Good health to the king, my lord! May [Nabû] and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (5) [M]ars has appeared in the path of the Enlil stars at the feet of Perseus; it is faint and of a whitish colour. I saw it on the 26th of Iyyar (II) when it had (already) risen high and I am subsequently sending the relevant interpretation to the king, my lord: (9) [If] Mars approaches Perseus, there will be a rebellion in the Westland; brother will slay his brother; the palace of the ruler will be plundered; the treasure of the country will go over to…

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 170. Predicting an Eclipse of the Sun (ABL 0477) [from astrologers]

(1) Concerning the solar eclipse about which the king wrote to me: "Will it or will it not take place? Send a definite word!" (6) An eclipse of the sun, like one of the moon, never escapes me; should it not be clear to me and should I have failed (to observe it), I would not find out about it. (r 5) Now since it is the month to watch the sun and the king is in the open country, for that reason I wrote to the king: "The king should pay attention, whether it occurs or not."

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.

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 08 286. (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)

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 [...].

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)

Daily Life·Religion & Myth

SAA 13 049. (no title)

(Beginning destroyed) (2) in [......] (3) N[ow ...] (r 1) he/they ... [...] (r 2) Aššur will come to the temple ... [...] (r 4) [...] ... [...] (r 5) [...] ... [...] (r 6) [W]ha[t ...] (r 7) [which the k]ing, [my] lord [...] (Remainder destroyed)

Daily Life·Religion & Myth

SAA 13 148. Fragment of a Report of a Prophecy? (CT 53 413)

(2) [N]N, a votary [of] Ištar [of] Arbela [reported] [th]is mes[sag]e for the k[ing, my lord] — (5) "[...] Ištar [...] (Rest destroyed)

Daily Life·Religion & Myth

SAA 13 170. Fragment Mentioning Esaggil

(Beginning destroyed) (1) 150 [......] (2) 5 tables ... [...] (3) Adad-... [...] (4) the king ... [...] (r 1) arm-bands, ri[ngs ...] (r 2) Esaggil [... front] (r 3) and rear [...] (r 4) on the 15th day ... [...] (r 5) in order to a[pply] the plaster (Rest destroyed)

SAA 13 202. Fragment Mentioning Harran (CT 53 653)

(Beginning destroyed) (2) to [......] (3) the gods o[f ......] (4) ... [......] (5) of/which [......] (Break) (e. 1) [...... to] 30 ye[ars ......] (e. 2) [...... to] the king, my lord I [......] (e. 3) [......] ... for the table [......] (e. 4) [......] ... the citizens of Harran [......] (e. 5) [......] ... [......]

~655 BCE·Neo-AssyrianOur engine

Ashurbanipal 001

Documents Ashurbanipal's forced resettlement of conquered populations into Egypt and the Levantine town of Qirbit — a concrete case of Assyrian demographic engineering as an instrument of imperial control.

Ashurbanipal 002

Lists nine deities who legitimise Ashurbanipal's rule, each sponsoring a different royal quality — a snapshot of the theological machinery the Neo-Assyrian court used to underwrite imperial authority.

Ashurbanipal 003

Claims divine sanction for Ashurbanipal's literacy — the gods granted him 'a broad mind' to master the scribal arts — embedding scholarly kingship ideology at the heart of Assyrian royal self-presentation.

Ashurbanipal 004

Claims divine sanction not just for Ashurbanipal's military power but for his scribal learning — one of the clearest royal assertions that literacy itself was a gift of the gods and a mark of legitimate kingship.

Religion & Myth·Writing & Literature

Ashurbanipal 005

Claims divine sanction for Ashurbanipal's legendary scribal literacy — a rare royal boast that a king personally mastered cuneiform learning, framing intellectual mastery as a god-given mark of legitimate rule.

Ashurbanipal 006

Claims Ashurbanipal completed Esarhaddon's unfinished temples — including Eḫursaggalkurkurra at Aššur — framing construction piety as dynastic continuity and divine sanction for his kingship.

Ashurbanipal 007

Records Ashurbanipal's restoration of Marduk's chariot and shrine roof, linking Assyrian royal piety toward Babylon's chief god to the ideological balancing act of ruling both Assyria and Babylonia simultaneously.

Ashurbanipal 008

Documents Ashurbanipal's restoration of Sîn and Nusku to their temples and his refurbishment of sanctuaries across Assyria and Akkad, anchoring the king's legitimacy in cultic patronage rather than military conquest.

Ashurbanipal 009

Attests the Sargonid practice of legitimating a crown prince through divine pre-election — Sîn's nomination in the womb — positioning Ashurbanipal's rule as cosmically ordained before Esarhaddon's formal designation.

Ashurbanipal 010

Ashurbanipal's titulature — king of Assyria, Babylon, Sumer, and Akkad simultaneously — encapsulates the ideological claim that one ruler could hold the entire Mesopotamian world-order, north and south, under a single divine mandate.

Ashurbanipal 011

Declares Ashurbanipal's kingship divinely foreordained from the womb by Aššur, Sîn, Šamaš, Adad, and Ištar — anchoring Sargonid legitimacy theology in a chain of gods stretching from conception to coronation.

Ashurbanipal 012

Records Ashurbanipal's lavish furnishing of Ezida at Borsippa — an ebony bed for Marduk, silver wild-bull guardians, and 83 talents of zaḫalû-metal — documenting Assyrian royal patronage of the great Babylonian sanctuaries.

Ashurbanipal 013

Preserves Ashurbanipal's own account of his divine mandate, naming seven patron deities across Assyrian and Babylonian pantheons — evidence of deliberate theological synthesis at the height of Sargonid imperial ideology.

Ashurbanipal 014

Fuses two registers of Sargonid kingship in a single text: the lone-archer lion hunt staged as cosmic spectacle, and the Addaru akītu-festival linking royal legitimacy to the queen of the gods.

Ashurbanipal 015

Ashurbanipal claims the wisdom of the antediluvian sage Adapa as personal divine endowment — coupling scribal mastery with military might to justify one king's embodiment of both priestly and warrior ideals.

Ashurbanipal 016

Chronicles the chaotic succession crisis in Elam after Urtaku's death — rival claimants dying of mouse-bite and dropsy before the demon-like Teumman seized the throne — framing Assyrian intervention as cosmic necessity.

Ashurbanipal 017

Records Elamite court violence — the killing of Indabibi and enthronement of Ḫumban-ḫaltaš III — framed as divinely ordained Assyrian dominance, linking Sargonid royal ideology directly to datable Elamite dynastic upheaval c. 655 BCE.