4,000-year-old Babylonian tablets deciphered
The tablets contain a series of detailed omens regarding lunar eclipses
An archaeological mystery has recently been unveiled. The cuneiform tablets, found over a century ago in what is today Iraq and preserved in the collections of the British Museum, have finally been deciphered. These ancient documents, dating back about 4,000 years, offer a unique window into the cosmology and astrology of the ancient Babylonians, revealing their beliefs and practices related to lunar eclipses and the omens these celestial phenomena were believed to bring.
The discovery and decipherment of the tablets
The clay tablets are among the oldest known examples of compendiums of omens based on lunar eclipses. Acquired by the British Museum between 1892 and 1914, these tablets remained largely misunderstood for decades until Andrew George, professor emeritus of Babylonian at the University of London, and Junko Taniguchi, an independent researcher, recently completed their translation and interpretation. Their work, published in the Journal of Cuneiform Studies (https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/730483), has revealed a complex network of astrological beliefs that illuminate the practices and concerns of the ancient Babylonians.
The tablets were likely found in Sippar, an ancient Babylonian city located in present-day Iraq. Sippar was an important religious and cultural center, and the context in which the tablets were written suggests that they reflect the practices and beliefs of the intellectual and priestly elite of the time.
The secrets of the tablets
The tablets contain a series of detailed omens regarding lunar eclipses. These omens are interpretations based on the observation of celestial events, combined with a series of ritual and religious beliefs. Some of the most significant omens identified include:
- “If an eclipse is obscured from its center all at once and clears all at once: a king will die, the destruction of Elam.” This omen suggests that a lunar eclipse, if completely obscured at a single moment, was seen as a sign of imminent calamity, particularly the death of a figure of power and the destruction of a region, in this case, Elam, an area corresponding to present-day southwestern Iran.
- “If an eclipse begins in the south and then fades: the fall of Subartu and Akkad.” This omen indicates that an eclipse starting in the southern part of the sky and then dissolving would be interpreted as a portent of downfall and disaster for two Babylonian regions, Subartu and Akkad, both significant in the historical and political context of the time.
- “An eclipse at evening watch: means pestilence.” This omen refers to eclipses visible during the evening twilight, considering them as signs of severe diseases and pestilences that could strike the population.
The importance of celestial events in Babylonian society
The ancient Babylonians were deeply convinced that celestial events could predict significant future events. Their cosmology was intrinsically linked to their understanding of life and politics. Astral events were seen as divine signs warning of future events on earth. Consequently, astrologers and priests played a crucial role in interpreting these signs and advising rulers on how to respond.
The authors emphasized in their study that "events in the sky were interpreted as coded signs sent by the gods." This reflected a belief that the sky was a medium through which the gods communicated with humanity, warning of future changes and dangers. The cuneiform tablets document how these interpretations were encoded into a detailed system of omens that combined astronomical observations with religious and ritual beliefs.
Interpretation of omens
The Babylonian astrological practice was not limited to mere observation of celestial events. Astrologers also used a series of systematic methods to interpret the omens. In addition to direct observation of eclipses, Babylonian scholars also considered other factors, such as the timing of the event, the duration, and the intensity of the eclipse.
Another common practice was the use of extispicy, or the analysis of the entrails of animals, to confirm and interpret omens. This oracular method was used to assess the severity of omens and to decide on actions to mitigate negative effects. If an omen was particularly ominous, such as the death of a king, extispicy was employed to determine if the danger was real and how to counter it through rituals and offerings to the gods.
Astrology and Politics
The connection between astrology and politics was closely intertwined in Babylonian society. Omens were not just objects of religious curiosity but had a direct impact on political decisions. If an omen indicated an impending catastrophic event, the Babylonian government not only sought to interpret and understand the signal but often took concrete actions to prevent or mitigate the foreseen disaster.
In the case of negative omens, rituals and ceremonies were organized to try to appease the gods and change the course of events. This practice reflected a deep belief in the possibility of influencing fate through ritual interventions. The ancient Babylonians believed that, although celestial events could predict the future, it was possible to intervene to prevent negative omens from coming true.
Impact of the Discovery
The decipherment of these cuneiform tablets not only provides new insights into the Babylonian omen system but also offers a greater understanding of the culture and science of ancient Mesopotamia. These documents reveal the sophistication of the astronomical and astrological knowledge of the time, as well as the way this knowledge influenced daily life and political decisions.
Moreover, the discovery of the cuneiform tablets underscores the importance of preserving and studying ancient writings, which continue to offer valuable insights into past civilizations. Discoveries like this help complete the picture of ancient history and provide a better understanding of how historical societies perceived and interacted with their celestial and natural environments.
