All tablets.

SAA 10 357. Interrupting the Elul Festival of Babylon (ABL 0338) [miscellaneous]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Mar-Issar. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! May the great gods bestow long days, well-being and joy upon the king, my lord! (8) As to what the king, my lord, wrote to me: "The month Elul (VI) is intercalary; do not perform the ceremonies this month" — (12) Ammu-salam entered Babylon on the evening of the 6th day; the god Nabû had come before him, on the 3rd. The gate was kept open before Bel and Nabû on the 4th, the 5th and the 6th, and sacrifices were performed. (r 6) When I saw the king my lord's sealed orde…

~670 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 10

SAA 10 358. Inscribing the Pedestal of Tašmetu (ABL 0257) [miscellaneous]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Mar-Issar. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! May the great gods bestow long days, well-being and joy [upon the king, my lord]! (5) Concerning [... about which I] former[ly wrote to the king, my lord] (Break) (r 1) [The king, my lord, should act] as he consid[ers best]. (r 2) I have now written on the pedestal of the goddess Tašmetu the inscription wh[ich] the king, my lord, communica[ted in the p]revious [letter]. I placed the statues of the king, my lord, upon the pedestals right and left. The king, my lord,…

Daily Life·Economy

SAA 10 359. The Cult of the Lady of Akkad (ABL 0746) [miscellaneous]

(1) [To the king], my lord: your servant Mar-Issar. Good health [to the king], my [lord]! May Nabû and Marduk [bless] the king, my lord! May [the great god]s bestow long days, well-being and joy upon the king, my lord! (4) When the Lady [o]f Akkad went away to Elam, her assets [we]re taken over, the fields and personnel of the temple passing under the [...]s. When the king, my lord, [res]ettled the city of Akkad, he sent a sealed order to the deputy major-domo [of] Lahiru: "Deliver the [reg]ular offerings [of the god]! They should be adv[anced] to Akkad!" (11) For [x] years they delivered…

SAA 10 360. (no title) (CT 53 143) [miscellaneous]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...]... says [......] (2) [......] Sulay[a ......] (3) [......] soon [......] (4) [...... u]pon us [......] (5) [...]... us and [......] (6) [......] the other Babylon [......] (7) [......] to the commanda[nt ......] (8) [...... the cr]own prince of Babylon [......] (9) [......] Ubaru [......] (10) [......] Mannu-ki-[......] (11') (Break) (14) [...... pe]rha[ps ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 10 361. Bel Appears in a Dream (ABL 1021) [miscellaneous]

(Beginning destroyed) (2) [...... w]rote to me (3) [......] attention (4) [Concerning NN, about whom the king, my l]ord wrote to me, [...... dw]elt (6) [...... is commit]ting suicide, saying (7) [......] no [le]tter [has been sent to me]; I a[m a servant of the king, my lord] — why [has the king, my lord, let] me [pe]rish [......]? [......] of the kings. [I do not wi]thhold [anything] belonging to the cult of the sanctuaries; what is the meal they are asking for? [I shall] give it. (13) "Never have I seen a dream such as I am (now) going to tell! When I was in my country, Bel said to me in my…

SAA 10 362. Morning First of Jupiter in Sivan (ACh 2 S 62) [miscellaneous]

(Beginning lost) (2) [... did not ap]pear, and the day [...]. (3) [Last year], it became visible on the 22nd of Iyyar (II) in the constellation [Perseus]; it disappeared in Nisan (I) of the [present] year, on the 29th day. (5) Jupiter [may remain invisible] from 20 to 30 days; now it kept itself back from the sky for 35 days. It appeared on the 6th of Sivan (III) in the area of Orion, exceeding its term by 5 days. The relevant interpretation is as follows: (10) If Jupiter appears in Sivan: destruction of the land will be brought about, barley will become expensive. (12) If Jupiter approaches…

SAA 10 363. Correction to the Previous Letter (ABL 0744) [miscellaneous]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Mar-Issar. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! May the great gods bestow long days, well-being and joy upon the king, my lord! (7) On the 27th day the moon stood there; on the 28th, 29th and 30th we kept watch for the eclipse of the sun, (but) he let it pass by and was not eclipsed. On the 1st the moon was seen (again); the (first) day of Tammuz (IV) is (thus) fixed. (14) Concerning Jupiter about which I previously wrote to the king, my lord: "It has appeared in the path of the Anu stars, in the area of Orion."…

SAA 10 364. The Bridge of Borsippa; Moon in Scorpio (ABL 1214) [miscellaneous]

(Beginning destroyed) (2) wrote "[......]." (3) [There are] shi[ps lined up] across the Borsippa river. In the days of Sargon and the father of the k[ing, my lord], as the Borsippa river was narrow, they trod a ra[mp] on them, (but) it did not stay in good condition. N[ow] in the times of the king, my lord, the river has swollen much; they have improved the ramp, but it will not stay in good condition. Let the bridge of ships be kept as it is; wh[en] the king, my lord, comes, they will put in an improved filling, (so that) the king, my lord, can cross over it in his chariot. (12) This year…

SAA 10 365. Dream Concerning the Epic of Creation (ABL 1336) [miscellaneous]

(Beginning destroyed or too fragmentary for translation) (4) [......] their [...] within me (5) [...... In] my dr[eam], the king, my lord, [was ......] sitting [on the thr]one; a table [was placed before him and a ...] was swelling upon it. (8) [....... u]pon tablets. (9) [......] His face [was ...ed] towards the table (10) One of the tablets [rea]d as follows: "O Aššur, save [the life of] the one who puts his trust in you!" On the tablet [......] (Break) (r 2) [......] to the king, my lord, (r 3) [...... the god]s of Assyria; (r 4) [......] (r 5) By [Aššur, Sin Šamaš, Bel, Nabû Jupiter], Venu…

SAA 10 366. (no title) (ABL 0745) [miscellaneous]

(1) To the king, [my lo]rd: your servant Mar-[Issar]. [Good] health to the ki[ng, my lord]! May [Nabû and] Marduk bless [the king, my lord]! (Break) (r 1) [Concerning ... about whom the king, my lord], wrote [to me], both [are ...]; they have not brought the meat. (r 4) We shall s[end] the former man to Sippar as the king, my lord, wrote [to me]. The king, my lord, should [know] this.

SAA 10 367. King of Elam Coming to Babylon (CT 53 121) [miscellaneous]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) A citizen of [Ba]bylo[n ca]lled [NN] told me [as] follows: "[Now t]hen the king of Elam [...] is coming [to Ba]bylon; [regarding the p]relacy, either the prel[ate ... (Rest destroyed)

SAA 10 368. Divine Statue for Esaggil; Construction Works in Akkad (CT 53 106) [miscellaneous]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant [Mar-Issar]. Good health to the king, my lord! May [Nabû and Marduk] bless the king, my lord! May [the great gods] bestow [long] days, well-being and joy upon the king, my lord! (5) The work on the god [...]... has be[gun]; Šarrahitu is completed. The [...] of the king, my lord, and Belet ekalli [are] not [finished]. We [are] work[ing] on Zababa. Uraš, Eragal and Lugal[marada] are in the hands of the masters. All the [......] which is being done in Esag[gil ......] (Break) (r 4) They are transporting asphalt to A[kk]ad from the country of I[tu'u]; and…

SAA 10 369. Greedy Governor (ABL 0339) [miscellaneous]

(1) To the king, my lord: your servant Mar-Issar. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! May the great gods bestow long days, well-being and joy upon the king, my lord! (7) The governor of Dur-Šarruku has already previously opened my seals, taken 10 minas of si[lv]er, 1400 sheep and 15 oxen [belonging to the gods Š]imalu'a and [Humhu]m and [distributed them] to [...] his retinue. (13) [......] I (14) [......] my seals (15) (Break) (17) The governor[s] who were before h[im] did not take anything from the tem[ples] — now he has recklessly opened a…

SAA 10 370. (no title) [miscellaneous]

(1) [To the king, my lord]: your [se]rvant Mar-I[ssar. Good health to the king], my [lord]! [May] Nabû and Marduk [bless the king, my lord]! May [the great gods] bestow long days, physical well-being [and joy] on the king, my lord. (5) [......] Borsippa [......] (6) [......] his [......] (7) [......] from Bo[rsippa ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 10 371. Plant of Life and Sorceresses to the King (ABL 0276) [miscellaneous]

(1) To the king of the lands, my lord: your servant Kudurru. May Aššur, Šamaš and Marduk bless the king, my lord! (5) After the king, my lord, had gone to Egypt and the eclipse took place in Tammuz (IV), there were no men of mine for the life of Assyria among them, (so) he sent (messengers) to every direction. Now then, let the king ask the messengers of their life. (12) When I acquired the plant of life of the eclipse of Tammuz (IV), it disappeared in the king's presence. [I dispat]ched it [to the king], my lord, in th[e han]ds of Šumaya son of [Kabt]iya, in Nisan (I) last year, (yet) [up…

SAA 10 372. (no title) (CT 54 063) [miscellaneous]

(Beginning destroyed) (6) [Write down] and [...] to the k[ing ......] (7) [... the Se]ries [......] (8) this [...] the sun [......]. (9) The eclipse of the moon which [took place] in Ta[mmuz (IV)] [and af]fected [...], placed [...] to the sun which [...] in the first year, saying: (12) "[...] of the king will occur to his land but the [...] will not stay in his land [...] will return [to] his [...]." (16') (Broken and untranslatable) (r 1) The gist of the rest of the words is, don't be afraid but have much confidence and wait for my later report. In this very manner he has for these three…

SAA 10 373. Books Worth Keeping (ABL 0334) [miscellaneous]

(1) To the king of the lands, my lord: your servant Ninurta-aha-iddin. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! May the great gods make the foundation of your offspring as durable as heaven and earth. (9) I have s[et (aside) ...] for the k[ing, my lord]; let them fetch and con[sult ...]. (r 1) I have [...]ed the second [...] (r 2) on [......] (r 3) of the house of my lord [...] (r 4) Let me read the tablets in the presence of the king, my lord, and let me put down on them whatever is agreeable to the king; whatever is not acceptable to the king, I shall re…

SAA 10 374. Tablets for the King (ABL 0335) [miscellaneous]

(1) To the king of the lands, my lord: your servant Ninurta-aha-iddin. Good health to the king, my lord! May Nabû and Marduk bless the king, my lord! May the great gods [make the he]art of the king my lord [...] (Break) (r 1) I have set (aside) [... for the ki]ng, [my lord]; let them fetch and consult (the dictionary) Arû = "to lead."

SAA 10 375. (no title) (CT 53 964) [miscellaneous]

(1) To the king, my lord: [your ser]vant [Urad-D]agan[a] (Break) (r 1) scribal tradition [......]. (r 2) Now, let me leave [......]; or what is it that the king, [my lord], orders?

SAA 10 376. (no title) (CT 53 337) [miscellaneous]

(1) To the k[ing, my lord]: your [servant NN]. May Nabû and Ma[rduk] bl[ess the king], my lord! (5) [...] in the burial chamber (6) Nabû-duru-uṣur, the [...] (7) who with me [......] (8) contents [......] (9) the king's family [......]. (10) Perhaps [......] (11) they appoint[ed ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 10 377. Events Preceding the Enthronement of a Substitute King (ABL 1004) [miscellaneous]

(Beginning destroyed or too fragmentary for translation) (3) On the 12th [......] after [... he went] to Calah. On the 13th he w[ent] to [Calah] with the sons of the king. (8) On the 14th Adad-šumu-uṣur enter[ed] Nineveh and [spoke] with Aššur-naṣir, the chief [eunuch], Sasî and Urad-E[a]: "Let him sit (on the throne) before the eclip[se occurs]." (r 4) The matter [...] spre[ad out] before them [......] (Remainder destroyed or too fragmentary for translation)

SAA 10 378. (no title) (CT 53 508) [miscellaneous]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [......] said to me (2) [......] Issar-šumu-ereš (3) [...... Nabû]-naṣir (4) [......] Issar-šumu-ereš (5) [......] (6) [......] good (7) [......] I asked (9') (Break) (12) [I] shall pay [attention to it]; I rely [mu]ch upon it. (15) Even the commander-in-chief [...] (Remainder lost)

SAA 10 379. Auspicious Days in Iyyar (ABL 1140) [miscellaneous]

(Beginning destroyed or too fragmentary for translation) (3) [When] he reveres the gods, it (the day) is good [for p]raying. (5) The favourable days about which the king, my lord, spoke are: the 10th, the 15th, the 16th, the 18th, the 20th, the 22nd, the 24th and the 26th, altogether 8 days of the month Iyyar (II) which are good for undertaking an enterprise and revering the gods. (r 5) The 10th: at court, favourable; (r 6) The 15th: perfect seed; (r 7) The 16th: joy of heart; (r 8) [The 1]8th: convert the cleaned (barley); (r 9) [The 20th]: let him kill a snake, he will reach the first [rank]…

SAA 10 380. Complimenting the King (CT 53 117) [miscellaneous]

(Beginning lost) (1) [The ... of the king, my lord, is a [...]. (2) Now, th[en], the deeds of the king, [my lord], are like those of (the sage) Adapa. [Let the king, my lord], write wh]at has not been listed [...] (Remainder destroyed or too fragmentary for translation)

SAA 10 381. Rituals, Prayers, and Laments Because of Mars (CT 53 008) [miscellaneous]

(1) The 'farmer' should perform the apotropaic ritual against evil of any kind; the 'farmer' should (also) perform the penitential psalms for Nergal and the 'hand-lifting' prayer for Nergal. Let them write in the apotropaic ritual and the prayer as follows: (5) "In the evil of the planet Mars which exceeded its term and ap[peared] in the constellation Aries: may its evil not [approach], not come near, not press up[on (me)], not affect me, my country, the people of [my pal]ace and my army!" (r 5) Let them write like this in the apotropaic ritual and the 'hand-lifting' prayer.

SAA 10 382. Medicinal Plants (LAS 231) [miscellaneous]

(Beginning destroyed or too fragmentary for translation) (r 6) [...] will come out of [captivity] and inprisonment. (r 7) [Naṣ]iru showed me thornbush; it resembles the shoot of a date palm about to burst out this very day, and at its tip it looks like a wire cable. [...] it is a tree indigenous to Assyria; it [also] is a tree indigenous to Babylonia. (Break) (e. 1) [If ......: the k]ing will have no opponents [......]

SAA 10 383. Seeking Employment (ABL 1220) [miscellaneous]

(1) [To the king, my lord: your servant NN. Good heal]th to [the king, my lord! May Na]bû and M[arduk] very great[ly bless the king, my lord]! May Aššur, Mullissu, [Sin, Šamaš, Nabû] and Marduk [...] the king, my lord, in heal[th and vigour], and may they bless that [benevole]nt face! May Sin and Nikkal, with whom the king, my lord, has walked, give happiness, physical well-being, long-lasting days and everlasting years to the king, my lord! [May] Nabû and Marduk [......] to the king, [my lor]d! (Break) (r 4) Now [the ...] of the king, my lord, has discharged me, (though) my arms and legs have…

SAA 10 384. Obscure Inscriptions (CT 53 154) [miscellaneous]

(1) [......] my [lo]rd (2) [...]... till you come. (4) Perhaps there are, on the other side, sign-forms that he does not understand; I will explain to him all that I know. I shall go presently; [my brother] should know (this). (r 1) Now then, let them [sel]ect a Babylonian writing-board; (r 3) two with [...] intact, (r 4) which [...... emb]lems (r 5) [......] this (r 6) [......] for him (r 7) [...... El]am (r.e. 8) [...... si]gn-forms (r.e. 9) (Rest destroyed)

SAA 10 385. (no title) (CT 53 939) [miscellaneous]

(1) (Beginning destroyed) (3) They keep watch [... in the] inner [...]; the rest of them [...] in the game preserve. (r 1) The apprentices should imitate and assist them. (r 4) Balasî [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 10 386. Wailing Tammuz (LAS 347) [miscellaneous]

(1) [......] in the temp[le ......] (2) [at the tu]rn of the day [......] (3) Tammuz is [wailed]. (4) [On the 27]th is the rel[ease]. (5) [On the x]th, at the t[urn of the day], (6) [Tammu]z [...] the head. (7) [......] the god is [......] (8) [......] they perform [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 10 387. Fending off Accusations (CT 53 196) [miscellaneous]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) And (as to) that man, his whole equipment and his clothes are at his disposal. The king, my lord, wrote to me: "Why do you act arbitrarily?" — (yet) in what resp[ect have] I [acted] arbitrarily? On my life, I [have] not [acted ar]bitrarily [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 10 388. Inscribing Waxed Writing-Boards (CT 53 924) [miscellaneous]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [The ... of] the king [asked me]: "Who is this [NN], who is inscribing those waxed tablets of the king, my lord?" (r 1) I said: "Perhaps he personally told it to me; we ...[....]" (Rest destroyed)

SAA 10 389. Inscribing a Statue (CT 53 926) [miscellaneous]

(Beginning destroyed) (r 1) [... h]ere [...]; (r 2) [let] it be sent to us for writing. We shall inscribe it on the seat before the thigh. The rest we shall inscribe upon another nišru.

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 08 231. Hemerology (ABL 1405) [calendrical]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [whatever he sa]ys, is en[tirely] favorable. (3) You convict two doves, male and female, before Šamaš, (saying): (5) "Šamaš, you are the judge o[f heaven] and earth. [Uncl]ench for me the [power]ful fist of god, [king, magnate or prince]!" (Break) (r 1) [He will obtain] hi[s] desire like a god. Let him enter an inn: he will prolong (his) life. (r 3) He may eat emmer bread, he may drink emmer beer; (r 4) He may eat beef, mutton and fowl; he may not eat garlic, leek or fish; afterwards, he should embrace happiness. (r 7) He may not approach a woman; he should sleep in a…

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.