Ancient Babylonian Tablets Reveal Gloomy Predictions of Lunar Eclipses

For the Ancient Babylonians, the stars held immense power, their celestial movements seen as harbingers of fate for rulers and their realms. Astrological divination was a serious affair, a tool used to guide decisions and appease the mercurial gods.

Astronomers and scholars meticulously recorded celestial events, creating a body of texts known as "omen literature." These clay tablets, inscribed with cuneiform script, acted as handbooks for pious kings, offering guidance on navigating the whims of the heavens.

Among the most closely watched events were lunar eclipses. Four ancient tablets from the British Museum, dating back 4,000 years to the prosperous city of Sippar on the Euphrates (modern-day Iraq), have now been translated by Professor Andrew George of the University of London and independent researcher Junko Taniguchi.

"Omens arising from lunar eclipses were of great importance for good statecraft and well-counseled government," the authors wrote in the *Journal of Cuneiform Studies*, highlighting the significance of astrological observations in safeguarding the king and aligning his actions with the gods' will.

The tablets, labelled A through D, offer a glimpse into the Babylonian world. Tablets A and D were created in the 18th century BCE, coinciding with the reigns of Hammurabi and his son Samsuiluna, while B and C date back to the 17th century BCE.

Despite their age, the tablets reveal a surprisingly consistent theme: the majority of lunar eclipse omens foretell dire events. These "if X happens, then Y will happen" pronouncements, based on factors like eclipse duration, shadow movement, and time of night, paint a bleak picture.

The predictions span from natural disasters – "the deluge will occur everywhere" – to societal collapse, warning of "evil in the land, its bounty will disappear." The tablets even predict widespread famine, stating "people will trade their children for silver, there will be a reduction in population."

While some omens hinted at destruction for Babylon's enemies, most presented dire warnings for the empire itself.

Thankfully, for the kings, there were ways to mitigate these ominous prophecies. Seeking out oracles – experts who examined animal entrails – and performing prescribed rituals offered a glimmer of hope for averting fate.

First identified in the 1970s by Babylonian scholar Douglas Kennedy, these tablets have served as valuable reference points for scholars studying the evolution of lunar eclipse omen literature. They share similarities with Old Babylonian tablets translated a decade ago, connected with Dur-Abiesuḫ, a fortress on the Tigris River near Nippur.

The tablets' origins remain shrouded in mystery. They are believed to have been acquired by the British Museum from a variety of Babylonian antique dealers during the late 1800s.

These newly translated tablets offer a unique window into the complex world of Ancient Babylonian belief systems, showcasing the profound impact of astrological divination on their political and social lives. The ominous predictions they hold remind us of the enduring power of the unknown and the human desire to find meaning in the celestial dance of the heavens.