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Page 173 / 194

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 056. The Meaning of an Earthquake (ABL 0355) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Balasî. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (6) Concerning the interpretation of the omen about which the king, my lord, wrote to me: "(It is said that) the king will be vilified amongst his magnates — what losses will ensue?" — (13) interpretations of monthly omens are like this: one is never similar to another, their interpretations go separately. (r 2) Now this one: if he will be slighted, its explanation can only be the earthquake. It has quaked: that is bad. They should perform the ritual against the…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 057. The King Should not be Afraid of the Eclipse (ABL 0691) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Balasî. Good health to the king, my lord! (4) The king sho[uld not] be afraid of this eclipse! The planets Jupiter, Venus and [Sa]turn were present [during the eclipse]. (10) [The gre]at [gods ......]... (Break) (r 1) [May ......] give [life of distant days, old age and fullness of life to the kin]g, [my] lo[rd]. (r 3) [Akkull]anu will read and explain [the rep]ort on the lunar [eclipse] [be]fore the king.

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 058. Omens from Birds and a Request (ABL 0353) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Balasî. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (5) Concerning the raven about which the king, my lord, wrote to me, (here are the relevant omens): (7) If a raven brings something into the house of a man, the said man will obtain something that does not belong to him. (11) If a falcon or a raven drops something it carries into the house of a man, (or) according to a variant, before a man, the said house will have išdihu. Išdihu (means) profit. (17) If a bird carries flesh, a bird, or anything, and drops it into the…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 059. Assigning a Date for a Dream Ritual (ABL 0076) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Balasî. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (7) Concerning the ... about which the king, my lord, wrote to me — the dream rituals should be performed on the 13th day, in the morning. On the 13th day the [moon] will be cover[ed] with the crown of splendour. Afterw[ards], [...] on the 14th day, [the moon] will be seen in opposition to the sun, a good oracular utterance will answer you. (r 6) May Aššur, Bel, Nabû and Šamaš bless the king, my lord! May they give life of distant days, old age and fullness of life to t…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 060. Anomaly Omens are Difficult to Read (ABL 0688) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Balasî. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, [my lord]. (5) Concerning the tab[let] of Šumma izbu [about which] the king, my lord, wrote to me: "Look (at it)! [Who would] write [...] in Šumma izbu?" — there is a particular tablet [in] which the [...]s are written, and I am now sending it to the king. The king should have a look. Maybe the scribe who reads to the king did not understand. (r 1) Šumma izbu is difficult to interpret. The first time that I come before the king, my lord, I shall (personally) show, with this tabl…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 061. One Should not Think on an ‘Evil Day’ (ABL 0352) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Balasî. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! May Aššur, Bel and Nabû give happiness and joy to the king, my lord! (11) The moon has taken an auspicious aspect: it is the beginning of the month. (r 2) [Con]cerning what the king, my lord, wrote to me — today is an 'evil day,' I shall write (about it) tomorrow. Thinking about these matters today is not good; I shall write tomorrow.

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 063. Full Moon on 14th Day and Conjunctions of Mars and Venus [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, [our] lo[rd: your servants Bal[asî] and Bamaya. Good he[alth] to the king, our lord! May Nabû and M[arduk] bl[ess] the king, our lord! (6) The moon and sun appeared together on the 14th day. (8) Before we saw the king, our lord's letter, we kept watch, wrote [a report], and gave it to [...]. He did not [......] mouth [.....] we sei[z]ed [...]. (16) Now then we shall watch the appearance (of the moon) in Tebet (X) and write to the king, our lord. (r 3) The bodyguard brought the letter on the 19th of Kislev (IX). (r 5) If the Pleiades flare up and go before Venus, in the…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 064. (no title) (CT 53 603) [from astrologers]

(1) We have observ[ed ...... in] the west. (3) [Per]haps [th]ey will write to the king, [my] lord, (as follows): (5) "The f]ormer (is) Na[bû, the la]tter (is) the god [DN]." (7) [...] with the k[ing, my lord] (Rest destroyed)

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 065. (no title) (CT 53 483) [from astrologers]

(Beginning destroyed) (2) [...... the Path of] the Anu stars (3) [......]... (4) [......] touched (5) [......] made it pass by (6) [......] is good (7) [......]... (8) [......] where the king, my lord (9) [...... an]ything (Rest destroyed)

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 067. Conjunction of Venus and Mercury (ABL 0647) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, [my lord]: your servant Nabû-[ahhe-eriba]. Good health to [the king, my lord]! May Nabû and Marduk bl[ess the king], my lord! (6) If it [suits the king], the apotropaic ritual [against evil] of any kind shou[ld be performed], and [the interpretation] of the observ[ation] of J[upiter] and Me[rcury] which, in the same [day], came forth in succession, should be written in (the text). It is said as follows: (r 1) "If the star of Marduk is black, in that year the as[akku]-disease [will rage (in the country)]." (r 4) They [are at a distance] and will keep away from each other; the…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 068. The King is Back! (ABL 0080) [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) As to what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "From now on you will stay in my entourage; if there is something you want to say, write me" — how would I not stand in front of the king, my lord? To whom else would we be devoted? (r 3) The king, my lord, went away until the fourth month; how could I not be shaken up (when) I cannot look at the king, my lord; why should I not embrace (the ground) where the tracks of the chariot of the king, my lord, pass by, (lon…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 069. God-Stricken Field (CT 53 146) [from astrologers]

(1) [To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-ahhe-er]iba. [Good health to the king], my [lord. My Nabû and] Marduk bless [the king], my [lo]rd! (7) [Concerning] the large field [of the Ass]yrians [about which the king], my lord, wrote to me: "It was a very productive field; who is removing the grain?" — (13) the farmers who seeded the fields do not revere Adad any more; that is why he let a lightning bolt strike down (and devastate the field). (r 3) Since the king, my lord, commanded (so), an exorcist should perform the (ritual called) "Purification of the Field," and he should at the same…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 070. Auspicious Dates for a Banquet (ABL 0406) [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! (6) Concerning the arrangement of the (divine) 'party' about which the king, my lord, wrote to me — (according to the menologies) "(If) he wants to take the cult ceremonies," it is favourable in this month; it is favourable to arrange the 'party.' Let them arrange it on the 13th, 15th, (or) the 17th day. (15) Concerning the offerings about which the king, my lord, wrote to me, it is favourable to make them this month. Let them make them tomorrow (or) the day…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 071. Predicting Eclipses (ABL 1069) [from astrologers]

(Beginning lost) (1) We will look it up [...], and I shall send the king, my lord, a ta[blet] dealing with the halo of the moon. (6) Concerning the watch for a lunar eclipse about which the king, my lord, wrote to me — its watch will be (kept) [on the deci]ded [night]; (but) [whether] its [wat]ch should be during sunset, [we have not been able to de]cide. (r 1) (Break) (r 4) [Eclipses] cannot occur [dur]ing certain periods. [After] 4 months, there was a watch in Marchesvan (VIII), and now, in the month Kislev (IX), we will (again) keep watch. A[s the]se watche[s] (Remainder lost)

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 072. An Ignoramus Sights Venus (ABL 1132+) [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]! (6) [He who] wrote to the king, my lord, "The planet Venus is visible, it is visible [in the month Ad]ar (XII)," is a vile man, an ignoramus, a cheat! [And he who] wrote to the king, my lord, "Venus is [...] rising in the constellation A[ries]," [does] not [speak] the truth (either). Venus is [not] yet visible! (15) Why does one so [deceitf]ully send such (a report) to the ki[ng, my lo]rd? "Venus is stable in the mor[ning]": (this) signifies…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 074. Timing the Visits of Princes (ABL 0082+) [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! (6) Concerning the crown prince about whom the king, my lord, wrote to me saying that the crown [prince should visit the k]ing, my [lo]rd, (and asking) "Is the 1st of Nisan (I) favourable?" — (12) On the 1st of Nisan (I) he should c[leanse and p]urify [oneself], make his food offering to Marduk, libate water and first-quality beer to the right and to the left; (then) this man will shine like the sun. (18) On the 2nd he should not go into the street. (19) On…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 076. Reading Astrological Reports to the King (ABL 1096) [from astrologers]

(1) [To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-ahhe-eriba]. [Good health to the k]ing, my lord! May [Nabû] and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (7) Concerning the report on the lunar eclipse about which the king, my lord, wrote to me — they used to receive and introduce all astrological reports into the presence of the father of the king, my lord. Afterwards, a man whom the father of the king, my lord, knew, used to read them to the king in a qirsu on the river bank. Nowadays it should be done as it (best) suits the king, my lord. (Remainder lost)

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 077. Reviewing the Army (ABL 0083) [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! (6) Con[cerning the m]uster about wh[ich the kin]g, my lord, wr[ote] to me — ... [...] ... (Break) (r 1) [I] have sent [... to] the king, [my] lord; the king may act as it (best) suits the king, my lord.

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 078. Predicting an Eclipse (ABL 0869) [from astrologers]

(Beginning lost) (1) [Concerning the watch for a lunar eclipse] about which the king, [my lo]rd, wrote to me, its watch will be (kept) tonight, in the morning watch. The eclipse will occur during the morning watch. (r 1) The watch is (kept) [for the safety] of the king, my [lord]; (all) will be well with the king, my lord.

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 079. Ominous Sunrise (ABL 0405) [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! (6) Concerning the sunrise about which the king, my lord, wrote to me, it is said (in the tablets) as follows: (9) If the glow of the day is like smoke, Adad will cause destruction in the springtime. (12) If the day is gloomy and rides the north wind: devouring by Nergal, the cattle will diminish. (15) The day (means) the sun. (16) Tomorrow we shall not see the sun when it sets: it will set amidst a reddish glow. (r 2) Dust storms whirled. (r 4) (That is…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 080. Full Moon on 13th Day (ABL 0081) [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) The gods [s]a[w] each other on the 13th day.

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 081. Visibility of Stars (ABL 1449) [from astrologers]

(Beginning lost) (1) [...] the stars Sirius, Antares, Vega — these are the former ones which have already been visible. The planet Mercury has not yet appeared.

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 082. (no title) (ABL 0697) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Nabû-ahhe-eriba. Good health to the king, my lord! [May] Aššur, Bel, Nabû, Sin, Nergal, Ištar of Nineveh, Ištar of Arbela [...] (Break) (r 2) [The king may ask] the scribe of the pa[lace]. The house is sealed.

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 083. (no title) (ABL 0696) [from astrologers]

(1) [To the king, my lord: your servant] Nabû-ahhe-[eriba]. [Good hea]lth to the king, [my lord]! May [Nabû], Marduk, Ištar of [Nineveh] and [Ištar] of Arbela give long lasting [days], everlasting years, happiness and joy to the king, my lord! (10) [As to what the king], my [lord], wr[ote to me] (Remainder lost)

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 084. Occultation of Jupiter (ABL 0565) [from astrologers]

(1) [To the king, my lord]: [your] servant [Akkullanu]. Good heal[th to the king], my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! May they give you the best of health as well as physical well-being! (9) Jupiter stood behind the moon; here is the relevant interpretation: (12) If Jupiter stands [behind the moon]: there [will be] hostility in the land. (14) Oh king, my lord, [this is] a m[atter] concerning us. [This] sign [pertains] t[o the king], my lord. It means evil [for Subartu]. Presently I am waiting for [the occultation] and will [look up] the word [about it]; if it en[ters] the…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 086. Whom Should I Ask? (ABL 0681) [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! (Break) (r 1) The king, my lord, [will get angry] and say: "Why did he ask me?" For the god's sake, on whom are his eyes fixed? Whom (else) would I ask?

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 087. Emissaries from Bit-kari (ABL 0680) [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! (8) Concerning the emissaries of Bit-[K]ari (Break) (r 2) [Let] them [brin]g me woolen garments and leather san[dals]; [o]r shall I wear white clothes here? What is it that the king, my lord, says? I have only wanted to remind the king, my lord.

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 088. Venus Approaching Cancer (RMA 212A) [from astrologers]

(Beginning lost) (r 1) Per[haps the king, my lord, will say]: "[......]." Venus [is approaching] the constellation [Cancer]; here [is the relevant interpretation]: (r 5) If the Goat star [approaches Cancer: there will be] peace and reconciliation [in the country]; the gods [will have] mercy on the country; [empty storage bins] will become full, [the crops of the country will prosper; the sick [of the country will recover]; pregnant women [will carry their foetuses to full term; the great] gods [will abandon the sanctuaries of the country; the temples of the great gods will be restored]. (Break…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 089. Why is Nothing being Done Month after Month? (ABL 1397) [from astrologers]

(Beginning destroyed) (2) [The moon] was eclip[sed ......] (3) [fa]ll of oxen [...] (4) o[f] horses [...] (5) But attention should be paid to ransoming the king's [...]! "When it (or he) emerges during it, the king will be well." I have now brought up this matter and spoken to the king, (for) it concerns us. Have we now ...ed our case [li]ttle or much? And what harm (would it do)? (13) [The king should indeed pay] attention to this matter. [Why], up to now, [the king] has not given [...]? [......]... (r 4) A reed [...] should be constructed, and (the ritual) "Giving a person's substitute to…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 090. Why did the King Enthrone a Substitute? (ABL 0046) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, [my lord]: your servant Akkullanu. Goo[d health] to the king, my lord! May Nabû and [Marduk] bless the king, my lord! (5) Concerning the substitute image about which the king, [my lord], wrote to his servant: "It was sitting (on the throne) in the city of Akkad from the 14th of Tammuz (IV) till the 5th of Ab (V)" — for what purpose did they act in this way? And why did they enthrone it in Akkad? Had they done it in the city of your father where you yourself are living, it would have removed your evil! Why you? And why an evil of Babylonia? (14) Have they (perhaps) said to you…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 091. Request for a Reply (ABL 0044) [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! (7) In the answer to my letter, may the king, my lord, write his servant that the king, my lord, is well, happy and in good health.

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 092. Worshipping Venus (ABL 0045) [from astrologers]

(1) T[o] the king, my lord: your ser[vant] Akkullanu. [G]ood health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (6) It is my duty to praise them; I do it for the sake of the life of the king, my lord. Perhaps the king, my lord, will say, "What is (this) praise?" — it is the spindle (symbol); I carry it three days for Venus. The king, my lord, should know and hear (this, lest) the king, my lord, might say: "Why have I not learned and heard that you have to do (this)?" Now the king should know that I am doing (this).

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 093. Ablution Ritual in Tarbiṣu (ABL 0047) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, [my lo]rd: your servant Akkull[anu]. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (7) Tomorrow evening there will be a (cultic) bath in the city of Tarbiṣu, and sacrifices of the king will be performed. Shall I go? (Break) (r 1) If I had n[ot] reminded (the king) [today], wouldn't the king, my lord, get furious and say: "Why did you not remind me?"

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 094. Full Moon on 15th Day; Reminder Concerning Offerings (ABL 0050) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king, [my lo]rd: your servant Akkul[lanu]. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! May I hear (about) the king, my lord's health and well-being in the answer to my letter. (10) Concerning the observation of the moon and the sun, [her]e is the relevant interpretation: (12) If on the 14th of Tebet (X) [the moon] is not seen [with the s]un: [there will be deaths], and the god will eat. (r 1) [If on the 15th day the moon and the sun are seen together: a strong enemy will raise his weapons against the country, and the enemy] will demolish [the city…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 095. Report on Priests; Kanunu Festival (ABL 0049) [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! (3) Concerning the priest about whom the king, my lord, wrote to me, now then — today is the third day already — he has thought it over and said to me as follows: (7) "What is this? It should be cleared up! If there is anything left of it, let them send it to me, and I will make it double at once. Within [......] has not sent [...] as to where it would be. (12) "Concerning what the ki[ng said, viz. 'Three years ago you [......],' is this not what [......]? (15) "The…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 096. Affairs of the Aššur Temple (ABL 0043) [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) Concerning the constant sheep offering and the regular deliveries to Aššur about which the king, my lord, wrote to his servant: "Who of the magnates have not agreed to give them?" — (8) I was not able to specify (them and thus) did not write to the king, my lord yesterday. (Now then) here are the magnates who have not given the sheep offerings: (13) The governors of Barhalzi, Raṣappa, Kilizi, Isana, Tillê, Kullania, and Arpadda. All (these) have not given the…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 097. Consecrating a Priest (CT 53 149) [from astrologers]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) May [the goddess DN] subdue [......]; may she day after day, month after month and year after year present the king, my lord, with rejoicing, pride, joy, jubilation and merry mood. (5) The driller, whom your royal father shaved, used to enter the ablution chamber, and your royal father put him in charge of the statues as well. Now, he died in Elul (VI). He has left a son (who) is a novice and 'stands with his hair.' Now, if it is acceptable to the king, my lord, let them shave him. The king, my lord, knows that these are the days of the ritual — that is why I am…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 098. Wine Masters on Strike (ABL 0042) [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! (6) Yesterday, on the 3rd, Aššur and Mullissu went out in peace and re-entered (Ešarra) safely; all the gods who went out with Aššur took up their residence in peace. The king, my lord, can be happy. [May] Ašš[ur and Mullissu keep the king, my lord, alive] for a hundred years. (17) The king, my lord, did not question (the officials) who, in [...] and in the [... te]mple, fill the vats [in fr]ont of the king's table, (but) are now on strike, about whom I wrote to the…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 099. Priests of Calah (ABL 0048) [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) Concerning the priests of Cal[ah] about whom the king, my lord, wrote to me, I questioned a priest personally; he said as follows: (Break) (r 1) "Nobody has hea[rd] their story [...]. I [gave] the order: 'Let them be held in my house [...] until the king summons them and asks about his servants who were killed.'"

Daily Life·Economy

~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…

Religion & Myth·Astronomy & Mathematics

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 101. Copying Tablets for the Royal Library (CT 53 187) [from astrologers]

(1) [May Nab]û and M[arduk bless the king, my lord!] (2) [Concerning] the tablets of [the series ... and] the non-canonical tablets [...... of which] I s[poke] to the king, my lord, they have now been brought. [If] it pleases [the king], m[y lord], let them b[ring them in, and let the king, my lord], have a look. (7) Later [I shall collect] the Akkadian [writing-b]oards [......] and the Assyrian [writing-board]s [......], and I shall write the tablets [...]. (11) [......] from here [......]. Let the king, my lord, [...]. (r 1) [And concerning what the k]ing, my lord, [wrote to me]: "Let [all…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 102. Copying Texts for the Royal Library (CT 53 417+) [from astrologers]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) "[Namullu] = plank bed"; (2) "[Šita] = weapon"; "Gi = reed"; (3) "[Gurh]ub = large basket"; "Dug = earthenware"; (4) "Marduk [...] the word of the gods"; (5) [Mul] Apin: all these tablet[s] (exist) in three copies. (6) Dugul-pan-[ili] and Kiṣir-Aššur are both copying Urra. (9) "He created stations [for the great gods"]; (10) "[As Illi]l [heard the words of the gods"]; (Break) (r 2) behind schedu[le ......] (r 3) one-column tablet [......] (r 4) I saw [......] (r 5) at my disposal [......] (r 6) tablets [......] (Rest destroyed)

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 103. Editorial Suggestions (CT 53 900) [from astrologers]

(1) To the ki[ng, my lord]: your servant [Akkullanu]. Good heal[th to the king], my lord! May [Nabû and Marduk] ble[ss] the k[ing, my lord]! (Break) (r 1) The king, my lord, should have a look; let them remove what is to be removed, and add what is to be added. (r 5) The king, my lord, would perhaps say: "Why did you not remind (me)?"

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 104. Meteor, Dark Sunrise, Mars Stationary in Capricorn (ABL 1134) [from astrologers]

(Beginning lost) (1) If [a star] flashes [and goes down in the e]ast: an enemy host will attack the cou[ntry, and the enemy will ravage the country]. (3) If a star flashes in the daytime: there will be [an enemy attack] against the country, and the enemy will (victoriously) [wan]der around in the country. (5) On the 29th of Iyyar (II), from sunrise until the day had advanced [x hours], the radiance of the sun was diminished. Its interpretation is as follows: (9) [If the sun ri]ses and its light does not get stronger: Šamaš is angry with the king of the land. (11) If the sun is dark: the king…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 105. Omens from Full Moon on 15th Day (CT 53 241) [from astrologers]

(Beginning lost) (2) If the moon at its appearance [is ...]: the ruler [will have] no opponent. (4) The interpretation of the observation [of the moon and the sun] is [as follows]: (5) If the moon is not seen with the sun [on the 14th] of Tam[muz (IV)]: the king will be shut up [in his palace]. (7) If [the moon] and sun [are seen] together on the 15th day: a powerful enemy will raise [his] weapons [against the land] and destroy the sanctuaries [of the great gods]. (11) Furthermore, from [the month Nisan (I)], the beginning of the pr[evious] year, (when) the gods s[aw] each other, until the…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 106. Kanunu Festival (ABL 0678) [from astrologers]

(1) [To] the king, my lord: yo[ur servant] Akkullanu. [Good] health [t]o the king, my lord! [May] Nabû and Marduk [bl]ess the king, my lord! (Break) (r 2) The kanūnu will be [in] the evening.

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 107. Corruption in the Temple of Aššur (ABL 0429) [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! (6) The golden plate which disappeared from the Aššur temple has been seen in the hands of the stonecutter Qurdî-Nergal. Now the gold was for his eyes (i.e., meant for him). I am going to question the scribe now. (r 1) Let the king write again, and let them question him. The king should not write to Ṭab-šar-Sin, (for) he has been bribed by him. Instead let them question him as well: "To whom have you given bribes? Make up for the gold!" (r.e. 12) The king should not…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 109. Omen of the Kingship of Esarhaddon (ABL 1216) [from astrologers]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...] now [......] (2) [...] and dates [......] (3) [...] but his messenger [did] not [......] (4) [...] beyond the kingship o[f ......] (5) [...] completed according to his word [......] with the king [...] (6) [I told] him: "You will take over the kingship." Let the king create her [...]. (7) I am Bel-ušezib, your servant and your dog who fears you [...]. (8) Why [did the king my lord sum]mon prophets and prophetesses w[hen I disclosed] the many [th]ings I had heard in Nineveh, (while) [I, who] blocked the exorcist with my mouth and [we]nt to pay homage to the…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 111. Meteors; Invading Mannea (ABL 1237) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king of the lands, my lord: your servant B[el-ušezib]. May Bel, Nabû and Šamaš bless the king, my lord! (3) If a star flashes like a torch from the east and sets in the west: the main army of the enemy will fall. (5) If a flash appears and appears again in the south, makes a circle and again makes a circle, stands there and again stands there, flickers and flickers again, and is scattered: the ruler will capture property and possessions in his expedition. (9) If the king has written to his army: "Invade Mannea," the whole army should not invade; (only) the cavalry and the…

Daily Life·Economy

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 113. Saturn and Cancer in Lunar Halo; Events in Mannea (ABL 1109+) [from astrologers]

(1) To the king of the lands, my lord: your servant Bel-uš[ezib]. May Bel, Nabû and Šamaš bless the king, my lord! (3) If the sun stands in the halo of the moon: in all lands (people) will speak the truth; the son will speak the truth with his father. (5) — Saturn stands in the halo of the moon. (6) If the moon is surrounded by a halo, and Cancer stands in it: the king of Akkad will extend the life. (8) If the moon is surrounded by a river: there will be great floods and cloudbursts. (9) — Cancer stands in the halo of the moon. (10) You are a strong, righteous and able king. [When] in the…

Daily Life·Economy

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