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= <sup>mul</sup>Eridu<sup>ki</sup> "(Star of the city of) Eridu";
= <sup>mul</sup>Eridu<sup>ki</sup> "(Star of the city of) Eridu";


constellation in [[Puppis]] + [[Vela]] [Gössmann 306; BPO 2, 14].
constellation in [[Puppis]] + [[Vela]] [Gössmann<ref name=":0">''Gössmann P.F''. Planetarium Babylonicum, Rom, 1950 (A. Deimel. Šumerisches Lexikon 4/2).</ref> 306; BPO 2, 14].


Kurtik also has the variant "AN.KI" only occuring in one prediction, but this is corrected by [BPO 2, IX 22, XII 9] and reads <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup>, too.
Kurtik also has the variant "AN.KI" only occuring in one prediction, but this is corrected by [BPO 2<ref name=":1">''Reiner E., Pingree D''. Enuma Anu Enlil, Tablets 50-51. Undena Publications, Malibu, 1981 (Babylonian Planetary Omens: Part Two).</ref>, IX 22, XII 9] and reads <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup>, too.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
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!Sources!!Identifications
!Sources!!Identifications
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|'''''Lexical texts'''''. (Urra tradition): <sup>mul</sup>Eridu<sup>ki</sup> = ''E-ri-du''<sub>4</sub> [Emar VI/4 151:162], <sup>[mul]</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> = ŠU [Cavigneaux 1979 132, 17:12]
|'''''Lexical texts'''''. (Urra tradition): <sup>mul</sup>Eridu<sup>ki</sup> = ''E-ri-du''<sub>4</sub> [Emar VI/4<ref>''D. Arnaud''. Texte de la bibliothèque, transcriptions et traductions, 1987. (= Emar 6/4).</ref> 151:162], <sup>[mul]</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> = ŠU [Cavigneaux 1979<ref>''Cavigneaux A.'' // Baghdader Mitteilungen. 1979. Bd. X. S. 132-134.</ref> 132, 17:12]


* Urra XXII: Bloch-Horowitz 2015, 106:277ʹ], <sup>[mul]</sup>NUN/Eridu<sup>ki</sup> = ŠU.
* Urra XXII: Bloch-Horowitz 2015<ref>Bloch Y. and W. Horowitz (2015):  “Urra = hubullu XXII: The Standard Recension,” with Y. Bloch, Journal of Cuneiform Studies 67: 71-125.</ref>, 106:277ʹ], <sup>[mul]</sup>NUN/Eridu<sup>ki</sup> = ŠU.
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|"'''''Three Stars Each (Astrolabes)'''''.
|"'''''Three Stars Each (Astrolabes)'''''.


* The stars of Ea, Anu, and Enlil. 12 stars of Ea (no. 7): <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> [CT 33, 9 r. 18; HBA, 104; MCG, 176] (in the tradition of NV 10 see Horowitz 2014: 209).
* The stars of Ea, Anu, and Enlil. 12 stars of Ea (no. 7): <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> [CT<ref>''Cuneiform Texts from Babylonian Tablets in the British Museum.''</ref> 33, 9 r. 18; HBA<ref name=":2">''Weidner E.'' Handbuch der babylonischen Astronomie. Bd. I. Leipzig, 1915.</ref>, 104; MCG<ref>''Horowitz W''. Mesopotamian Cosmic Geography. Winona Lake, 1998 (Mesopotamian Civilisation, 8).</ref>, 176] (in the tradition of NV 10 see Horowitz 2014<ref name=":3">Horowitz, W. (2014), The three stars each: the Astrolabes and related texts, Archiv für Orientforschung AfO Beiheft, 33.</ref>: 209).
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|'''''EAE'''''. See. [BPO 2, III 27a, IX 22, XII 9; BPO 3, 285; Borger 1973, LB 1321 r. 26′].
|'''''EAE'''''. See. [BPO 2<ref name=":1" />, III 27a, IX 22, XII 9; BPO 3<ref name=":4">''Reiner E., Pingree D''. Babylonian Planetary Omens. Part Three. Groningen, STYX Publications. 1998.</ref>, 285; Borger 1973<ref>''Borger R.'' Keilschrifttexte verschiedenen Inhalts / Symbolae Biblicae et Mesopotamicae. Festschrift Th. de Liagre Böhl. Ed. M.A.Beek et al. Leiden, 1973. Р. 38-55.</ref>, LB 1321 r. 26′].
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** a) <sup>mul</sup>NUNUN<sup>ki</sup> ''u'' <sup>mul</sup>UGA<sup>mušen</sup> KUR<sup>meš</sup>-''ma'' <sup>mul</sup>UD.KA.DUḪ.A ŠU<sub>2</sub>''-bi''
** a) <sup>mul</sup>NUNUN<sup>ki</sup> ''u'' <sup>mul</sup>UGA<sup>mušen</sup> KUR<sup>meš</sup>-''ma'' <sup>mul</sup>UD.KA.DUḪ.A ŠU<sub>2</sub>''-bi''
** "The Asterism of Eridu and the Raven rise, and the Demon with the Gaping Mouth sets" (I iii 20),
** "The Asterism of Eridu and the Raven rise, and the Demon with the Gaping Mouth sets" (I iii 20),
** (b) see also [BPO 2, III 27-27a], b) (I iii 25), see (Kurtik m35) [[MUL.MUL]].
** (b) see also [BPO 2<ref name=":1" />, III 27-27a], b) (I iii 25), see (Kurtik m35) [[MUL.MUL]].
* '''(4)''' Intervals between dates of heliacal risings:
* '''(4)''' Intervals between dates of heliacal risings:
** TA KUR ''ša<sub>2</sub>'' <sup>mul</sup>KAK.SI.SA2 55 UD<sup>meš</sup> ''ana'' KUR ''ša<sub>2</sub>'' <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup>
** TA KUR ''ša<sub>2</sub>'' <sup>mul</sup>KAK.SI.SA2 55 UD<sup>meš</sup> ''ana'' KUR ''ša<sub>2</sub>'' <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup>
** "55 days from the rising of the Arrow to the rising of the Asterism of Eridu" (I iii 34).
** "55 days from the rising of the Arrow to the rising of the Asterism of Eridu" (I iii 34).
* '''(5)''' Culminations and simultaneous heliacal rises: The Great Gemini culminates, Shupa and the Asterism of Eridu rises (I iv 24), see (Kurtik m17) [[MAŠ.TAB.BA.GAL.GAL]], see also [Horowitz 1989-90, 117, BM 73815: 3'].
* '''(5)''' Culminations and simultaneous heliacal rises: The Great Gemini culminates, Shupa and the Asterism of Eridu rises (I iv 24), see (Kurtik m17) [[MAŠ.TAB.BA.GAL.GAL]], see also [Horowitz 1989-90<ref>''Horowitz W.'' Two Mul-Apin Fragments // AfO. 1989-90. Bd. XXXVI/XXXVII. S. 116-117.</ref>, 117, BM 73815: 3'].
* '''(6)''' Observations of heliacal sunrisings and wind directions:
* '''(6)''' Observations of heliacal sunrisings and wind directions:
** a) ''ina'' <sup>iti</sup>KIN UD 10 KAM <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> UD 15 KAM <sup>mul</sup>ŠU.PA IGI<sup>meš</sup> / MUL. MEŠ-''šu<sub>2</sub>-nu ina u<sub>4</sub>-mi'' IGI<sup>meš</sup> SAR<sup>meš</sup>''-šu<sub>2</sub>-nu zi-me-šu<sub>2</sub>-nu / ri-is-ni-šu<sub>2</sub>-nu u<sub>3</sub>'' IM ''ša<sub>2</sub>'' DU''-ku'' ŠEŠ ANŠE.KUR.RA<sup>meš</sup> / [...] x ''an-ṣar-ma ina'' ID<sub>2</sub> A<sup>meš</sup> NU NAG<sup>meš</sup> / ki-i MUL. MEŠ-''šu<sub>2</sub>-nu ul-ta-ta-pu-ni / maḫ-ḫu-ri-šu<sub>2</sub>-nu tu-maḫ-ḫar'' ANŠE.KUR. RA<sup>meš</sup> / ESIR TAG<sup>meš</sup>-ma ina ID<sub>2</sub> A<sup>meš</sup> NAG<sup>meš</sup> "On the 10th day of Ululû, the Asterism of Eridu, on the 15th of (Ululû), Shupa becomes visible; on the day when their stars become visible, (you observe) their risings, their brilliance, their ... and the wind that blows; you watch(?) the horses so that they do not drink water from the river. When the stars become visible, you make sacrifices to them; the horses will touch the bitumen and drink water from the river" (II i 25-27),
** a) ''ina'' <sup>iti</sup>KIN UD 10 KAM <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> UD 15 KAM <sup>mul</sup>ŠU.PA IGI<sup>meš</sup> / MUL. MEŠ-''šu<sub>2</sub>-nu ina u<sub>4</sub>-mi'' IGI<sup>meš</sup> SAR<sup>meš</sup>''-šu<sub>2</sub>-nu zi-me-šu<sub>2</sub>-nu / ri-is-ni-šu<sub>2</sub>-nu u<sub>3</sub>'' IM ''ša<sub>2</sub>'' DU''-ku'' ŠEŠ ANŠE.KUR.RA<sup>meš</sup> / [...] x ''an-ṣar-ma ina'' ID<sub>2</sub> A<sup>meš</sup> NU NAG<sup>meš</sup> / ki-i MUL. MEŠ-''šu<sub>2</sub>-nu ul-ta-ta-pu-ni / maḫ-ḫu-ri-šu<sub>2</sub>-nu tu-maḫ-ḫar'' ANŠE.KUR. RA<sup>meš</sup> / ESIR TAG<sup>meš</sup>-ma ina ID<sub>2</sub> A<sup>meš</sup> NAG<sup>meš</sup> "On the 10th day of Ululû, the Asterism of Eridu, on the 15th of (Ululû), Shupa becomes visible; on the day when their stars become visible, (you observe) their risings, their brilliance, their ... and the wind that blows; you watch(?) the horses so that they do not drink water from the river. When the stars become visible, you make sacrifices to them; the horses will touch the bitumen and drink water from the river" (II i 25-27),
** (b) see (Kurtik k24) [[KU6|KU<sub>6</sub>]] [MA, 35, 42, 49, 50, 53, 64, 77-79].
** (b) see (Kurtik k24) [[KU6|KU<sub>6</sub>]] [MA<ref name=":5">Hunger, H. and Steele, J. M. (2019). The Babylonian Astronomical Compendium MUL.APIN, Routledge, NY</ref>, 35, 42, 49, 50, 53, 64, 77-79].
Text BM 77054. See (Kurtik m17) [[MAŠ.TAB.BA.GAL.GAL]].
Text BM 77054. See (Kurtik m17) [[MAŠ.TAB.BA.GAL.GAL]].
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|"'''''Great Star List'''''."
|"'''''Great Star List'''''."


* List of names for Mars: <sup>mul</sup>nun<sup>ki</sup> = <sup>d</sup>min (= <sup>d</sup>''ṣal-bat-a-nu'') "(Asterism of) Eridu = Mars" [Mesop.Astrol., App. B:107].
* List of names for Mars: <sup>mul</sup>nun<sup>ki</sup> = <sup>d</sup>min (= <sup>d</sup>''ṣal-bat-a-nu'') "(Asterism of) Eridu = Mars" [Mesop.Astrol.<ref name=":6">''Koch-Westenholz U''. Mesopotamian Astrology. Copenhagen, Museum Tusculanum Press. 1995.</ref>, App. B:107].
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|'''''Star List VR 46,'''''
|'''''Star List VR 46,'''''
* '''''1:37'''''. <sup>mul</sup>mu.bu.<keš.da ša<sub>2</sub>> a.ab.ba = <sup>mul</sup>nun<sup>ki</sup> "Yoke of the Sea = Asterism of Eridu" [HBA, 52:37; Wee 2016, 162-3]. '''For the 'Yoke of the Sea' as an asterism as or in the vicinity of the Southern Cross (Crux) see Horowitz 2017.'''
* '''''1:37'''''. <sup>mul</sup>mu.bu.<keš.da ša<sub>2</sub>> a.ab.ba = <sup>mul</sup>nun<sup>ki</sup> "Yoke of the Sea = Asterism of Eridu" [HBA<ref name=":2" />, 52:37; Wee 2016<ref>Wee, J. (2016). Virtual Moons over Babylonia: The Calendar Text System, Its Micro-Zodiac of 13, and the Making of Medical Zodiology. The Circulation of Astronomical Knowledge in the Ancient World, Ed. J. M. Steele, 139–229.</ref>, 162-3]. '''For the 'Yoke of the Sea' as an asterism as or in the vicinity of the Southern Cross (Crux) see Horowitz 2017.'''
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|'''''Temple ritual'''''.
|'''''Temple ritual'''''.


* <sup>múl</sup>ERIDU(NUN)<sup>ki</sup> ''ša<sub>2</sub> er-šu-tu<sub>2</sub> aḫ-zu'' "(Asterism of) Eridu, which possesses wisdom" [RAcc. 137, 153:303; Linssen 2004, 220, 229].
* <sup>múl</sup>ERIDU(NUN)<sup>ki</sup> ''ša<sub>2</sub> er-šu-tu<sub>2</sub> aḫ-zu'' "(Asterism of) Eridu, which possesses wisdom" [RAcc.<ref>''Thureau-Dansin F''. Rittuels accadiens. Paris, 1921.</ref> 137, 153:303; Linssen 2004<ref>''Linssen, Marc J.H.'' The Cults of Uruk and Babylon : The Temple Ritual Texts as Evidence for Hellenistic Cult Practises. Vol. 25. Cuneiform Monographs. Leiden, Boston : Brill, Styx. 2004.</ref>, 220, 229].
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* <sup>múl</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> is the asterism of Antagubba, see (Kurtik a02) [[A.EDIN]].
* <sup>múl</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> is the asterism of Antagubba, see (Kurtik a02) [[A.EDIN]].


See also: <sup>mul</sup>SA<sub>5</sub> ''ana''<sup>?</sup>(DIŠ) <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> [SpTU II, 42 r. 3].
See also: <sup>mul</sup>SA<sub>5</sub> ''ana''<sup>?</sup>(DIŠ) <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> [SpTU II<ref>''Špätbabylonische Texte aus Uruk.'' Teil II / Bearb. von Weiher E. von. Berlin, 1983.</ref>, 42 r. 3].
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[[File:Nunki ident stellarium.jpg|alt=Stellarium map visualizing historical identifications and their mismatch |thumb|historical identifications for Nunki marked in a Stellarium map (Hoffmann 2024). As they mismatch the green vertical line, they are incorrect.]]
[[File:Nunki ident stellarium.jpg|alt=Stellarium map visualizing historical identifications and their mismatch |thumb|historical identifications for Nunki marked in a Stellarium map (Hoffmann 2024). As they mismatch the green vertical line, they are incorrect.]]


==== Identifications. ====
==== Previous Identifications. ====
          = Kiel (Carina) with Canopus (Canopus) + western stars to Eridanus [3. Erg., 335; Gössmann 1950, 306, I].
          = Kiel (Carina) with Canopus (Canopus) + western stars to Eridanus [3. Erg.<ref>''Kugler    F.X.  '' Sternkunde   und   Sterndienst   in    Babel. 3.Ergänzungsheft   zum   ersten  und   zweiten   Buch   von J.Schaumberger. Münster, 1935.</ref>, 335; Gössmann 1950<ref name=":0" />, 306, I].


          = Canopus [Gössmann 1950, 306; Waerden 1949, 21; Weidner 1957-59, 79b].
          = Canopus [Gössmann 1950<ref name=":0" />, 306; Waerden 1949<ref>''Waerden B. L. van der''. Babylonian astronomy. II. The thirty Six Stars // JNES. V. 8. P. 6-26.</ref>, 21; Weidner 1957-59<ref>''Weidner E.'' mul gir<sub>2</sub>.tab = ''zuqaqîpi'' // AfO. 1957-1958. Bd. 18. S. 393-394].</ref>, 79b].


          = ζ+ Stern (Puppis) [BPO 2, 11, 14].
          = ζ+ Stern (Puppis) [BPO 2<ref name=":1" />, 11, 14].


          = α+ Stern (Puppis) [MA, 138]. (remark by Hoffmann: alpha Puppis does not exist)
          = α+ Stern (Puppis) [MA<ref name=":5" />, 138]. (remark by Hoffmann: alpha Puppis does not exist)


          = Canopus [Koch 1989, 106, 111; Mesop.Astrol., 207, App. C].
          = Canopus [Koch 1989<ref>''Koch J.'' Neue Untersuchungen zur Topographie des babylonischen Fixsternhimmels. Wiesbaden, 1989.</ref>, 106, 111; Mesop.Astrol.<ref name=":6" />, 207, App. C].


          = parts of Stern and Sails [Hunger-Pingree 1999, 272].
          = parts of Stern and Sails [Hunger-Pingree 1999<ref>''Pingree D., Walker C.'' A Babylonian Star-Catalogue: BM 78161 / Fs. Sachs, 1988. P. 313-322.</ref>, 272].


          = Stern and Sails [Horowitz 2014, 247].
          = Stern and Sails [Horowitz 2014<ref name=":3" />, 247].


==== Parts of the constellation and individual stars. ====
==== Parts of the constellation and individual stars. ====
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          (1) = Venus; the name of Venus in the month of Ululu, see (Kurtik d06) ''[[Dilbat]]'', "Tablet of Dilbat" (4).
          (1) = Venus; the name of Venus in the month of Ululu, see (Kurtik d06) ''[[Dilbat]]'', "Tablet of Dilbat" (4).


          (2) = Mars; <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> <sup>d</sup>Ṣal-bat-a-nu [...] "Eridu = Mars [...]" [ACh Suppl. 2, 66:33], for a parallel see. [BPO 3, 58, K.148+:37]; see also The Great Star List.
          (2) = Mars; <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> <sup>d</sup>''Ṣal-bat-a-nu'' [...] "Eridu = Mars [...]" [ACh Suppl.<ref name=":7">''Ch. Virolleaud'', L'astrologie chaldéenne S(in); Shamasz; Isht(ar); Adad; S/Supp. = Supplément; SS / 2.Supp. = Second Supplément (Paris 1905 - 1912)</ref> 2, 66:33], for a parallel see. [BPO 3<ref name=":4" />, 58, K.148+:37]; see also The Great Star List.


          (3) = Mercury; DIŠ <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> ''meš-ḫa im-šuḫ'' BURU<sub>14</sub> GAN<sub>2</sub>.ZI KUR SI.SA<sub>2</sub> / <sup>d</sup>GU<sub>4</sub>.UD ''ki-ma'' TUM<sub>3</sub> ''ḫa-an-ṭiš'' IGI-''ma'' "If the asterism of Eridu emits ''mišḫu'': the harvest of the country's fields will be in abundance, (it means): Mercury quickly appears as it quickly disappears." [ACh Ištar, 21:45-46].
          (3) = Mercury; DIŠ <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> ''meš-ḫa im-šuḫ'' BURU<sub>14</sub> GAN<sub>2</sub>.ZI KUR SI.SA<sub>2</sub> / <sup>d</sup>GU<sub>4</sub>.UD ''ki-ma'' TUM<sub>3</sub> ''ḫa-an-ṭiš'' IGI-''ma'' "If the asterism of Eridu emits ''mišḫu'': the harvest of the country's fields will be in abundance, (it means): Mercury quickly appears as it quickly disappears." [ACh Ištar<ref name=":7" />, 21:45-46].


          (4) = Yoke of the Sea; see the list of stars VR 46, 1:37.
          (4) = Yoke of the Sea; see the list of stars VR 46, 1:37.
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===== Predictions: =====
===== Predictions: =====
          (6) Field and the Asterism of Eridu; DIŠ KI.TA <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> IGI KI.MIN KI-''šu''<sub>2</sub> <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> IGI ''šal-pu''<sub>2</sub>-''t''[''i'' KUR GAR] "If it (= Field) is seen below the Asterism of Eridu, var: the Asterism of Eridu is seen with it: [the country will undergo] defilement" [BPO 2, XII 9], for a parallel see. [ibid., IX 22].
          (6) Field and the Asterism of Eridu; DIŠ KI.TA <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> IGI KI.MIN KI-''šu''<sub>2</sub> <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> IGI ''šal-pu''<sub>2</sub>-''t''[''i'' KUR GAR] "If it (= Field) is seen below the Asterism of Eridu, var: the Asterism of Eridu is seen with it: [the country will undergo] defilement" [BPO 2<ref name=":1" />, XII 9], for a parallel see. [ibid.<ref name=":1" />, IX 22].


          (7) Venus with the Pole, or asterism of Eridu, standing in opposition; see (Kurtik a48) [[AŠ.GAN|AŠ.GAN<sub>2</sub>]], VI 9.
          (7) Venus with the Pole, or asterism of Eridu, standing in opposition; see (Kurtik a48) [[AŠ.GAN|AŠ.GAN<sub>2</sub>]], VI 9.
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          (9) The Goat (=Venus) reaches the asterism of Eridu (=Mars or Mercury); see (Kurtik u31) [[UZ3|UZ<sub>3</sub>]], VI 19.
          (9) The Goat (=Venus) reaches the asterism of Eridu (=Mars or Mercury); see (Kurtik u31) [[UZ3|UZ<sub>3</sub>]], VI 19.


         See also: [... ''ana'' <sup>mul</sup>N]UN<sup>ki</sup> TE "[... to the asterism of E]ridu approaches" [BPO 3, 98, K.10688 i 6′].
         See also: [... ''ana'' <sup>mul</sup>N]UN<sup>ki</sup> TE "[... to the asterism of E]ridu approaches" [BPO 3<ref name=":4" />, 98, K.10688 i 6′].


(10) DIŠ KI.TA <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> IGI KI.MIN KI-''šu''<sub>2</sub> <sup>mul</sup>AN.KI IGI ''šal-pu''<sub>2</sub>-''ti'' [...], "If it is seen below the asterism Eridu, var.: star AN.KI is seen with it: desecration [...]". [ACh Ištar, 26:32], see corrected reading in [BPO 2, IX 22, XII 9].
(10) DIŠ KI.TA <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> IGI KI.MIN KI-''šu''<sub>2</sub> <sup>mul</sup>AN.KI IGI ''šal-pu''<sub>2</sub>-''ti'' [...], "If it is seen below the asterism Eridu, var.: star AN.KI is seen with it: desecration [...]". [ACh Ištar<ref name=":7" />, 26:32], see corrected reading in [BPO 2<ref name=":1" />, IX 22, XII 9].


==Historical Dictionaries==
==Historical Dictionaries==

Latest revision as of 17:00, 29 December 2025

Not to be confused with Nunki.
star chart
Nunki and its identification on the modern map.

mulNUN.KI or mulNUNki (𒀯𒉣𒆠) is the Sumerian name of an asterism or star. There is a modern star name "Nunki" which was applied to the star σ Sgr (SIMBAD) because of an early misinterpretation of cuneiform texts in the 19th century.

Sumerian NUN.KI/NUNki is the writing of the name of the city of Eridu, the city of the god Ea/Enki, god of the waters, in southernmost Sumer. Hense the star-name can be read muleriduki.

From the GU-text, it is clear that the Mesopotamian name refers to an area in Vela.

Concordance, Etymology, History[1]

= mulEriduki "(Star of the city of) Eridu";

constellation in Puppis + Vela [Gössmann[2] 306; BPO 2, 14].

Kurtik also has the variant "AN.KI" only occuring in one prediction, but this is corrected by [BPO 2[3], IX 22, XII 9] and reads mulNUNki, too.

Sources Identifications
Lexical texts. (Urra tradition): mulEriduki = E-ri-du4 [Emar VI/4[4] 151:162], [mul]NUNki = ŠU [Cavigneaux 1979[5] 132, 17:12]
  • Urra XXII: Bloch-Horowitz 2015[6], 106:277ʹ], [mul]NUN/Eriduki = ŠU.
"Three Stars Each (Astrolabes).
  • The stars of Ea, Anu, and Enlil. 12 stars of Ea (no. 7): mulNUNki [CT[7] 33, 9 r. 18; HBA[8], 104; MCG[9], 176] (in the tradition of NV 10 see Horowitz 2014[10]: 209).
EAE. See. [BPO 2[3], III 27a, IX 22, XII 9; BPO 3[11], 285; Borger 1973[12], LB 1321 r. 26′].
MUL.APIN.
  • (1) Stars of Ea (no. 3):  mulNUNki dE2-a "Asterism of Eridu, Ea" (I ii 20).
  • (2) Dates of heliacal risings:
    • ina itiKIN UD 10 KAM mulNUNki u mulUGAmušen IGIme
    • "On the 10th day of ulul, the Asterism of Eridu and the Raven become visible" (I ii 45).
  • (3) Simultaneous diurnal risings and settings:
    • a) mulNUNUNki u mulUGAmušen KURmeš-ma mulUD.KA.DUḪ.A ŠU2-bi
    • "The Asterism of Eridu and the Raven rise, and the Demon with the Gaping Mouth sets" (I iii 20),
    • (b) see also [BPO 2[3], III 27-27a], b) (I iii 25), see (Kurtik m35) MUL.MUL.
  • (4) Intervals between dates of heliacal risings:
    • TA KUR ša2 mulKAK.SI.SA2 55 UDmeš ana KUR ša2 mulNUNki
    • "55 days from the rising of the Arrow to the rising of the Asterism of Eridu" (I iii 34).
  • (5) Culminations and simultaneous heliacal rises: The Great Gemini culminates, Shupa and the Asterism of Eridu rises (I iv 24), see (Kurtik m17) MAŠ.TAB.BA.GAL.GAL, see also [Horowitz 1989-90[13], 117, BM 73815: 3'].
  • (6) Observations of heliacal sunrisings and wind directions:
    • a) ina itiKIN UD 10 KAM mulNUNki UD 15 KAM mulŠU.PA IGImeš / MUL. MEŠ-šu2-nu ina u4-mi IGImeš SARmeš-šu2-nu zi-me-šu2-nu / ri-is-ni-šu2-nu u3 IM ša2 DU-ku ŠEŠ ANŠE.KUR.RAmeš / [...] x an-ṣar-ma ina ID2 Ameš NU NAGmeš / ki-i MUL. MEŠ-šu2-nu ul-ta-ta-pu-ni / maḫ-ḫu-ri-šu2-nu tu-maḫ-ḫar ANŠE.KUR. RAmeš / ESIR TAGmeš-ma ina ID2 Ameš NAGmeš "On the 10th day of Ululû, the Asterism of Eridu, on the 15th of (Ululû), Shupa becomes visible; on the day when their stars become visible, (you observe) their risings, their brilliance, their ... and the wind that blows; you watch(?) the horses so that they do not drink water from the river. When the stars become visible, you make sacrifices to them; the horses will touch the bitumen and drink water from the river" (II i 25-27),
    • (b) see (Kurtik k24) KU6 [MA[14], 35, 42, 49, 50, 53, 64, 77-79].

Text BM 77054. See (Kurtik m17) MAŠ.TAB.BA.GAL.GAL.

"Great Star List."
  • List of names for Mars: mulnunki = dmin (= dṣal-bat-a-nu) "(Asterism of) Eridu = Mars" [Mesop.Astrol.[15], App. B:107].
Star List VR 46,
  • 1:37. mulmu.bu.<keš.da ša2> a.ab.ba = mulnunki "Yoke of the Sea = Asterism of Eridu" [HBA[8], 52:37; Wee 2016[16], 162-3]. For the 'Yoke of the Sea' as an asterism as or in the vicinity of the Southern Cross (Crux) see Horowitz 2017.
GU text.
  • (F) šuII mulnunki "Arms of (the constellation) Eridu" (γ Vel):, see (Kurtik k10)KAK.SI.SA2.
  • (G) mulnunki "(Constellation) Eridu" (λ Vel), see (Kurtik u17) UR.A.
Stellarium map
Depiction of asterisms in GU VII of the Babylonian GU-text, Leo, Hydra and "Nunki". Hoffmann (2022) in Hoffmann and Wolfschmidt (eds.), Astronomy in Culture - Cultures of Astronomy (2022).
Temple ritual.
  • múlERIDU(NUN)ki ša2 er-šu-tu2 aḫ-zu "(Asterism of) Eridu, which possesses wisdom" [RAcc.[17] 137, 153:303; Linssen 2004[18], 220, 229].
Text LBAT 1502 obv.
  • múlNUNki is the asterism of Antagubba, see (Kurtik a02) A.EDIN.

See also: mulSA5 ana?(DIŠ) mulNUNki [SpTU II[19], 42 r. 3].

Additional

Deity.

          Reading the name of the constellation 'Eridu' allows for a unique example where the name of an asterism explicitly captures the name of the city that it is associated with. Eridu was the center of worship of Ea (Enki), the god of the subterranean ocean and waters; hence, we find repeated indications in texts that the constellation Eridu was associated with the god Ea. The signs NUN.KI can be understood logographically for Fish-City, i.e. Eridu itself.

Prayers and rituals.

          (1) The ritual of "washing the mouth" (mīs pî) or "revitalizing" the statue-deity, see (Kurtik k24) KU6.

          (2) Temple ritual, see above.

Symbol.

          Judging by the description in the GU-text, the symbol of the constellation was an anthropomorphic figure with "hands".

Stellarium map visualizing historical identifications and their mismatch
historical identifications for Nunki marked in a Stellarium map (Hoffmann 2024). As they mismatch the green vertical line, they are incorrect.

Previous Identifications.

          = Kiel (Carina) with Canopus (Canopus) + western stars to Eridanus [3. Erg.[20], 335; Gössmann 1950[2], 306, I].

          = Canopus [Gössmann 1950[2], 306; Waerden 1949[21], 21; Weidner 1957-59[22], 79b].

          = ζ+ Stern (Puppis) [BPO 2[3], 11, 14].

          = α+ Stern (Puppis) [MA[14], 138]. (remark by Hoffmann: alpha Puppis does not exist)

          = Canopus [Koch 1989[23], 106, 111; Mesop.Astrol.[15], 207, App. C].

          = parts of Stern and Sails [Hunger-Pingree 1999[24], 272].

          = Stern and Sails [Horowitz 2014[10], 247].

Parts of the constellation and individual stars.

          "Arms of (the constellation of) Eridu," see GU-text.

Astrology.

Identifications:

          (1) = Venus; the name of Venus in the month of Ululu, see (Kurtik d06) Dilbat, "Tablet of Dilbat" (4).

          (2) = Mars; mulNUNki dṢal-bat-a-nu [...] "Eridu = Mars [...]" [ACh Suppl.[25] 2, 66:33], for a parallel see. [BPO 3[11], 58, K.148+:37]; see also The Great Star List.

          (3) = Mercury; DIŠ mulNUNki meš-ḫa im-šuḫ BURU14 GAN2.ZI KUR SI.SA2 / dGU4.UD ki-ma TUM3 ḫa-an-ṭiš IGI-ma "If the asterism of Eridu emits mišḫu: the harvest of the country's fields will be in abundance, (it means): Mercury quickly appears as it quickly disappears." [ACh Ištar[25], 21:45-46].

          (4) = Yoke of the Sea; see the list of stars VR 46, 1:37.

          (5) = Yoke of Elam; see (Kurtik sh19) ŠUDUN ša2 A.AB.BA, III 2.

Predictions:

          (6) Field and the Asterism of Eridu; DIŠ KI.TA mulNUNki IGI KI.MIN KI-šu2 mulNUNki IGI šal-pu2-t[i KUR GAR] "If it (= Field) is seen below the Asterism of Eridu, var: the Asterism of Eridu is seen with it: [the country will undergo] defilement" [BPO 2[3], XII 9], for a parallel see. [ibid.[3], IX 22].

          (7) Venus with the Pole, or asterism of Eridu, standing in opposition; see (Kurtik a48) AŠ.GAN2, VI 9.

          (8) The Raven approaches the asterism of Eridu; see (Kurtik u11) UGA, VI 15.

          (9) The Goat (=Venus) reaches the asterism of Eridu (=Mars or Mercury); see (Kurtik u31) UZ3, VI 19.

         See also: [... ana mulN]UNki TE "[... to the asterism of E]ridu approaches" [BPO 3[11], 98, K.10688 i 6′].

(10) DIŠ KI.TA mulNUNki IGI KI.MIN KI-šu2 mulAN.KI IGI šal-pu2-ti [...], "If it is seen below the asterism Eridu, var.: star AN.KI is seen with it: desecration [...]". [ACh Ištar[25], 26:32], see corrected reading in [BPO 2[3], IX 22, XII 9].

Historical Dictionaries

Kurtik (2022, n50 + a31) Gössmann (1950)

(n50) NUN.KI

= mulEriduki «(Звезда города) Эриду»; созвездие в Корме и Парусах (Puppis + Vela) [Gössmann 1950, 306; BPO 2, 14].||Example

I. Источники.

Лексич. тексты. Серия DC XXII: mulEriduki = E-ri-du4 [Emar VI/4 151:162], [mul]NUNki = ŠU [Cavigneaux 1979 132, 17:12; Bloch–Horowitz 2015, 106:277ʹ], [mul]NUN? ki ? = ŠU [SpTU III, 114A v 21]. «Астролябии». Звезды Эа, Ану и Энлиля. 12 звезд Ea (№ 7): mulNUNki [CT 33, 9 r. 18; HBA, 104; MCG, 176]. Текст BM 77054. См. m17MAŠ.TAB.BA.GAL.GAL. ЕАЕ. См. [BPO 2, III 27a, IX 22, XII 9; BPO 3, 285; Borger 1973, LB 1321 r. 26′]. MUL.APIN. (1) Звезды Эа (№ 3):  mulNUNki dE2-a «Звезда Эриду, Эа» (I ii 20). (2) Даты гелиакических восходов: ina itiKIN UD 10 KAM mulNUNki u mulUGAmušen IGIme «10-го улулу звезда Эриду и Ворон становятся видны» (I ii 45). (3) Одновременные суточные восходы и заходы: a) mulNUNki u mulUGAmušen KURmeš-ma mulUD.KA.DUḪ.A ŠU2-bi «Звезда Эриду и Ворон восходят, а Демон с Разинутой Пасть заходит» (I iii 20), см. также [BPO 2, III 27–27a], b) (I iii 25), см. m35MUL.MUL. (4) Интервалы между датами гелиакических восходов: TA KUR ša2 mulKAK.SI.SA2 55 UDmeš ana KUR ša2 mulNUNki «55 дней от восхода Стрелы до восхода звезды Эриду» (I iii 34). (5) Кульминации и одновременные гелиакические восходы: Великие Близнецы кульминируют, Шупа и звезда Эриду восходят (I iv 24), см. m17MAŠ.TAB.BA.GAL.GAL, см. также [Horowitz 1989–90, 117, BM 73815: 3']. (6) Наблюдения гелиакических восходов и направлений ветра: a) ina itiKIN UD 10 KAM mulNUNki UD 15 KAM mulŠU.PA IGImeš / MUL.MEŠ-šu2-nu ina u4-mi IGImeš SARmeš-šu2-nu zi-me-šu2-nu / ri-is-ni-šu2-nu u3 IM ša2 DU-ku ŠEŠ ANŠE.KUR.RAmeš / […] x an-ṣar-ma ina ID2 Ameš NU NAGmeš / ki-i MUL.MEŠ-šu2-nu ul-ta-ta-pu-ni / maḫ-ḫu-ri-šu2-nu tu-maḫ-ḫar ANŠE.KUR.RAmeš / ESIR TAGmeš-ma ina ID2 Ameš NAGmeš «10-го улулу звезда Эриду, 15-го (улулу) Шупа становятся видны; в день, когда их звезды становятся видны, (ты наблюдаешь) их восходы, их блеск, их … и ветер, который дует; ты следишь(?) за лошадьми, чтобы они не пили воду из реки. Когда их звезды станут видны, ты приносишь им жертвоприношения; лошади будут прикасаться к битуму и пить воду из реки» (II i 25–27), b) см. k24KU6 [MA, 35, 42, 49, 50, 53, 64, 77–79]. «Большой список звезд». Список имен Марса: mulnunki = dmin(= dṣal-bat-a-nu) «(Звезда) Эриду = Марс» [Mesop.Astrol., App. B:107]. Список звезд VR 46, 1:37. mulmu.bu.<keš.da ša2> a.ab.ba = mulnunki «Ярмо Моря = Звезда Эриду» [HBA, 52:37; Wee 2016, 162–3]. GU-текст. (F) šuII mulnunki «Руки (созвездия) Эриду» (γ Vel):, см. k10KAK.SI.SA2. (G) mulnunki «(Cозвездие) Эриду» (λ Vel), см. u17UR.A. Храмовый ритуал. múlERIDU(NUN)ki ša2 er-šu-tu2 aḫ-zu «(Звезда) Эриду, которая обладает мудростью» [RAcc. 137, 153:303; Linssen 2004, 220, 229]. Текст LBAT 1502 obv. múlNUNki — звезда Антагубба, см. a02A.EDIN.

См. также: mulSA5  ana?(DIŠ) mulNUNki [SpTU II, 42 r. 3].

II. Божество.

Созвездие Эриду служит уникальным примером, когда в названии светила явным образом запечатлено название города. Эриду был центром поклонения богу подземного океана вод Эа (Энки); отсюда неоднократно повторенные в текстах указания на связь созвездия Эриду с богом Эа. Молитвы и ритуалы. (1) Ритуал «омовения рта» (mīs pî) или «оживления» статуи-божества, см. k24KU6. (2) Храмовый ритуал, см. выше.

III. Символ.

Судя по описанию в GU-тексте, символом созвездия служила антропоморфная фигура, у которой имелись «руки»(?).

IV. Отождествления.

= Киль (Carina) с Канопусом (Canopus) + западные звезды до Эридана [3. Erg., 335; Gössmann 1950, 306, I].

= Canopus [Gössmann 1950, 306; Waerden 1949, 21; Weidner 1957–59, 79b].

= ζ+ Кормы (Puppis) [BPO 2, 11, 14].

= α+ Кормы (Puppis) [MA, 138].

= Canopus [Koch 1989, 106, 111; Mesop.Astrol., 207, App. C].

= части Кормы и Парусов [Hunger-Pingree 1999, 272].

= Корма и Паруса [Horowitz 2014, 247].

V. Части созвездия и отдельные звезды.

«Руки (созвездия) Эриду», см. GU-текст.

VI. Астрология.

Отождествления:

(1)  = Венера; название Венеры в месяце улулу, см. d06Dilbat, «Таблица Дилбат» (4).

(2)  = Марс; mulNUNki dṢal-bat-a-nu […] «Эриду = Марс […]» [ACh Suppl. 2, 66:33], параллель см. [BPO 3, 58, K.148+:37]; см. также «Большой список звезд».

(3)  = Меркурий; DIŠ mulNUNki meš-ḫa im-šuḫ BURU14 GAN2.ZI KUR SI.SA2 / dGU4.UD ki-ma TUM3 ḫa-an-ṭiš IGI-ma «Если звезда Эриду mišḫu испускает: урожай полей страны будет обильным, (это означает): Меркурий, как он быстро исчезает, так же быстро появляется» [ACh Ištar, 21:45–46].

(4)  = Ярмо Моря; см. список звезд VR 46, 1:37.

(5)  = Ярмо Элама; см. sh19ŠUDUN ša2 A.AB.BA, III 2.

Предсказания:

(6) Поле и звезда Эриду; DIŠ KI.TA mulNUNki IGI KI.MIN KI-šu2 mulNUNki IGI šal-pu2-t[i KUR GAR] «Если оно (= Поле) видно ниже звезды Эриду, вар.: звезда Эриду видна с ним: осквернени[е страны произойдет]» [BPO 2, XII 9], параллель см. [ibid., IX 22].

(7) Венера и в оппозиции к ней Поле или звезда Эриду; см. a48AŠ.GAN2, VI 9.

(8) Ворон приближается к звезде Эриду; см. u11UGA, VI 15.

(9) Коза (=Венера) достигает звезды Эриду (= Марс или Меркурий); см. u31UZ3, VI 19.

См. также: [… ana mulN]UNki TE «[… к звезде Э]риду приближается» [BPO 3, 98, K.10688 i 6′].

Example

(a31) AN.KI

[Gössmann 1950, 29]; только в предсказании: DIŠ KI.TA mulNUNki IGI KI.MIN KI-šu2 mulAN.KI IGI šal-pu2-ti […] «Если оно видно ниже звезды Эриду, вар.: звезда AN.KI видна вместе с ним: осквернение […]» [ACh Ištar, 26:32]. mulAN.KI читается как mulNUNki в [BPO 2, IX 22, XII 9].

G: 29

...

IAU Catalog of Star Names

In 2017, the IAU Working Group Star Names (WGSN) registered the star name "Nunki" for σ Sgr as it had already become popular throughout the 20th century. It has been used in books of popular astronomy as well as astrophysics paper (e.g. Oskinova 2012, Dunham 1981)

References

  1. ↑ Planetarium Babylonicum 2.0, All Skies Encyclopaedia.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Gössmann P.F. Planetarium Babylonicum, Rom, 1950 (A. Deimel. Šumerisches Lexikon 4/2).
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Reiner E., Pingree D. Enuma Anu Enlil, Tablets 50-51. Undena Publications, Malibu, 1981 (Babylonian Planetary Omens: Part Two).
  4. ↑ D. Arnaud. Texte de la bibliothèque, transcriptions et traductions, 1987. (= Emar 6/4).
  5. ↑ Cavigneaux A. // Baghdader Mitteilungen. 1979. Bd. X. S. 132-134.
  6. ↑ Bloch Y. and W. Horowitz (2015):  “Urra = hubullu XXII: The Standard Recension,” with Y. Bloch, Journal of Cuneiform Studies 67: 71-125.
  7. ↑ Cuneiform Texts from Babylonian Tablets in the British Museum.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Weidner E. Handbuch der babylonischen Astronomie. Bd. I. Leipzig, 1915.
  9. ↑ Horowitz W. Mesopotamian Cosmic Geography. Winona Lake, 1998 (Mesopotamian Civilisation, 8).
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Horowitz, W. (2014), The three stars each: the Astrolabes and related texts, Archiv für Orientforschung AfO Beiheft, 33.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Reiner E., Pingree D. Babylonian Planetary Omens. Part Three. Groningen, STYX Publications. 1998.
  12. ↑ Borger R. Keilschrifttexte verschiedenen Inhalts / Symbolae Biblicae et Mesopotamicae. Festschrift Th. de Liagre Böhl. Ed. M.A.Beek et al. Leiden, 1973. Р. 38-55.
  13. ↑ Horowitz W. Two Mul-Apin Fragments // AfO. 1989-90. Bd. XXXVI/XXXVII. S. 116-117.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Hunger, H. and Steele, J. M. (2019). The Babylonian Astronomical Compendium MUL.APIN, Routledge, NY
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Koch-Westenholz U. Mesopotamian Astrology. Copenhagen, Museum Tusculanum Press. 1995.
  16. ↑ Wee, J. (2016). Virtual Moons over Babylonia: The Calendar Text System, Its Micro-Zodiac of 13, and the Making of Medical Zodiology. The Circulation of Astronomical Knowledge in the Ancient World, Ed. J. M. Steele, 139–229.
  17. ↑ Thureau-Dansin F. Rittuels accadiens. Paris, 1921.
  18. ↑ Linssen, Marc J.H. The Cults of Uruk and Babylon : The Temple Ritual Texts as Evidence for Hellenistic Cult Practises. Vol. 25. Cuneiform Monographs. Leiden, Boston : Brill, Styx. 2004.
  19. ↑ Špätbabylonische Texte aus Uruk. Teil II / Bearb. von Weiher E. von. Berlin, 1983.
  20. ↑ Kugler    F.X.   Sternkunde   und   Sterndienst   in    Babel. 3.Ergänzungsheft   zum   ersten  und   zweiten   Buch   von J.Schaumberger. Münster, 1935.
  21. ↑ Waerden B. L. van der. Babylonian astronomy. II. The thirty Six Stars // JNES. V. 8. P. 6-26.
  22. ↑ Weidner E. mul gir2.tab = zuqaqîpi // AfO. 1957-1958. Bd. 18. S. 393-394].
  23. ↑ Koch J. Neue Untersuchungen zur Topographie des babylonischen Fixsternhimmels. Wiesbaden, 1989.
  24. ↑ Pingree D., Walker C. A Babylonian Star-Catalogue: BM 78161 / Fs. Sachs, 1988. P. 313-322.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 Ch. Virolleaud, L'astrologie chaldéenne S(in); Shamasz; Isht(ar); Adad; S/Supp. = Supplément; SS / 2.Supp. = Second Supplément (Paris 1905 - 1912)
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