Mišḫu: Difference between revisions

From All Skies Encyclopaedia
Mišḫu
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* 5) particular parts of constellations;
* 5) particular parts of constellations;
* 6) the moon;
* 6) the moon;
* 7) auroras not associated with any luminaries; in the last case, it seems to refer to mirages [AHw<ref>''Soden von W''. Akkadisches Handwörterbuch. Wiesbaden, 1985.</ref>, 660b; CAD<ref name=":0">''The Assyrian Dictionary of the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago.'' Chicago - Glückstadt, 1956 -...</ref> M/2, 120-121; 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>, 19; BPO 3<ref name=":2">''Reiner E., Pingree D''. Babylonian Planetary Omens. Part Three. Groningen, STYX Publications. 1998.</ref>, 14; Bjorkman 1973<ref>''Bjorkman J.'' Meteors and Meteorites in the Ancient Near East // Meteoritics. 1973. Nr. 8.</ref>; Chadwick 1993<ref name=":3">''Chadwick R.'' Identifying Comets and Meteors in Celestial Observation Literature / Die Rolle der Astronomie in der Kulturen Mesopotamiens. Graz, 1993.</ref>].
* 7) auroras not associated with any luminaries; in the last case, it seems to refer to mirages [AHw, 660b; CAD M/2, 120-121; BPO 2, 19; BPO 3, 14; Bjorkman 1973; Chadwick 1993].


In modern literature the word is often transcribed as ''me-šiḫ'', ''meš-ḫu''/''a'', ''me-eš-ḫu'', cf. [CAD M/2, 120-121], as well as numerous articles in the present edition.
In modern literature the word is often transcribed as ''me-šiḫ'', ''meš-ḫu''/''a'', ''me-eš-ḫu'', cf. [CAD<ref name=":0" /> M/2, 120-121], as well as numerous articles in the present edition.
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|'''Lexical texts.'''
|'''Lexical texts.'''
* (1) Sumerian list from Nippur: <sup>mul</sup>''mi-si-iḫ'' <sup>d</sup>pa.bil<sub>2</sub>.sag [MSL XI, 108:408],
* (1) Sumerian list from Nippur: <sup>mul</sup>''mi-si-iḫ'' <sup>d</sup>pa.bil<sub>2</sub>.sag [MSL XI<ref name=":4">''Materials for the Sumerian Lexicon''. Vol. XI. The Series HAR-ra = ''hubullu.'' Tablets XX-XXIV. Ed. by E.Reiner with the coll. of M.Civil. Roma, 1974.</ref>, 108:408],
** Old Babylonian Sumerian list: <sup>mul</sup>''mi-še-eḫ'' <sup>d</sup>pa.bil<sub>2</sub>.sag.ga<sub>2</sub> [MSL XI, 143, Forerunner 8, col. x 24].
** Old Babylonian Sumerian list: <sup>mul</sup>''mi-še-eḫ'' <sup>d</sup>pa.bil<sub>2</sub>.sag.ga<sub>2</sub> [MSL XI<ref name=":4" />, 143, Forerunner 8, col. x 24].
* (2) Urra XXII series: <sup>mul</sup>in.dub.an.na = ''mi-ši-iḫ'' <sup>d</sup>''Pa-bil-sag'' [SpTU III, 114A v 55]; for a parallel see. [Cavigneaux 1979, 134:18]; see also <sup>mul</sup>''in-um an-na'' = ''mi-ši-iḫ'' <sup>d</sup>''Pa-bil-sag'' [Bloch-Horowitz 2015, 110:312ʹ].
* (2) Urra XXII series: <sup>mul</sup>in.dub.an.na = ''mi-ši-iḫ'' <sup>d</sup>''Pa-bil-sag'' [SpTU III<ref>''Špätbabylonische Texte aus Uruk.'' Teil III / Bearb. von Weiher E. von. Berlin, 1988.</ref>, 114A v 55]; for a parallel see. [Cavigneaux 1979<ref>''Cavigneaux A.'' // Baghdader Mitteilungen. 1979. Bd. X. S. 132-134.</ref>, 134:18]; see also <sup>mul</sup>''in-um an-na'' = ''mi-ši-iḫ'' <sup>d</sup>''Pa-bil-sag'' [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>, 110:312ʹ].
|Example
|Example
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|'''EAE.'''
|'''EAE.'''
See. [ABCD<ref name=":5">''Rochberg-Halton F''. Aspect of Babylonian Celestial Divination: The Lunar Eclipse Tablets of Enuma Anu Enlil. Horn, 1988 (AfO, Beiheft 22).</ref>, 92-93, 283; BPO 2<ref name=":1" />, XVIII 10; BPO 3<ref name=":2" />, 14, 284a; Largement 1957<ref name=":6">''Largement R.'' Contribution à l’Etudes des Astres errants dans l’Astrologie chaldéenne // ZA. 1957. Bd. 18. S.235-264. Abbreviated ACh.</ref>, 248:65, 67-68].
See. [ABCD, 92-93, 283; BPO 2, XVIII 10; BPO 3, 14, 284a; Largement 1957, 248:65, 67-68].
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|'''"Letters" and "Reports."'''
|'''"Letters" and "Reports."'''
See. [ARAK<ref name=":7">''Hunger H.'' Astrological Reports to Assyrian Kings. Helsinki, 1992 (State Archives of Assyria, VIII).</ref>, 329a; LABS<ref name=":8">''Parpola S.'' Letters from Assyrian and Babylonian Scholars. Helsinki, 1993 (State Archives of Assyria, Vol. X).</ref>, 348a].
See. [ARAK, 329a; LABS, 348a].
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|'''"Astrolabs"'''
|'''"Astrolabs"'''


LBAT 1499, (Sections 2-4) e.g. obv. ii 14 [Horowitz 2014, 127, with discussion 135-138]
LBAT 1499, (Sections 2-4) e.g. obv. ii 14 [Horowitz 2014<ref>Horowitz, W. (2014), The three stars each: the Astrolabes and related texts, Archiv für Orientforschung AfO Beiheft, 33.</ref>, 127, with discussion 135-138]
* DIŠ ''ina <sup>i</sup>''<sup>tu</sup>GU<sub>4</sub> ''še-rim'' MUL<sub>2</sub>.MUL<sub>2</sub> 3,40 ''meš-hu im-šuh'' GU<sub>7</sub>-''ti'' DINGIR MU.3.KAM 3 ITU <''ina''>KUR GAL<sub>2</sub>
* DIŠ ''ina <sup>i</sup>''<sup>tu</sup>GU<sub>4</sub> ''še-rim'' MUL<sub>2</sub>.MUL<sub>2</sub> 3,40 ''meš-hu im-šuh'' GU<sub>7</sub>-''ti'' DINGIR MU.3.KAM 3 ITU <''ina''> KUR GAL<sub>2</sub>
** If in Iyar during the morning-watch, The Star Cluster - 3,40 - produced a glow; (the disease) 'consumption by a god' for three years and three months will be <in> the land.
** If in Iyar during the morning-watch, The Star Cluster - 3,40 - produced a glow; (the disease) 'consumption by a god' for three years and three months will be <in> the land.
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* (5) diš ul ''ša''<sub>2</sub> ''ina'' igi-''šu''<sub>2</sub> ''ṣip-ru ina'' egir-''šu''<sub>2</sub> kun ''gar-nu'' / igi-''ma'' an''-e'' zalag<sub>2</sub>-''ir ki-ma ṣal-lum-mu-u''<sub>2</sub> / ''ki-ma me-šiḫ'' mul.meš "If a star, which has a mane in front and a tail behind, appears, and lights up the sky like a meteor, (viz. ) like a flash of stars";
* (5) diš ul ''ša''<sub>2</sub> ''ina'' igi-''šu''<sub>2</sub> ''ṣip-ru ina'' egir-''šu''<sub>2</sub> kun ''gar-nu'' / igi-''ma'' an''-e'' zalag<sub>2</sub>-''ir ki-ma ṣal-lum-mu-u''<sub>2</sub> / ''ki-ma me-šiḫ'' mul.meš "If a star, which has a mane in front and a tail behind, appears, and lights up the sky like a meteor, (viz. ) like a flash of stars";
* (6) ''ṣal-lum-mu-u''<sub>2</sub> = ''meš-ḫu ša''<sub>2</sub> mul ''ki-šu''<sub>2</sub> ''ia-aʼ-nu'' "comet = shining without a star";
* (6) ''ṣal-lum-mu-u''<sub>2</sub> = ''meš-ḫu ša''<sub>2</sub> mul ''ki-šu''<sub>2</sub> ''ia-aʼ-nu'' "comet = shining without a star";
* (7) ''ṣal-lum-mu-u''<sub>2</sub> = ''mi-šiḫ'' mul.meš "comet = shining stars" [Mesop.Astrol, App. B:141, 142-144, 174-178], see also [CAD Ṭ, 75a; Chadwick 1993, 171]).
* (7) ''ṣal-lum-mu-u''<sub>2</sub> = ''mi-šiḫ'' mul.meš "comet = shining stars" [Mesop.Astrol.<ref>''Koch-Westenholz U''. Mesopotamian  Astrology. Copenhagen, Museum Tusculanum Press. 1995.</ref>, App. B:141, 142-144, 174-178], see also [CAD<ref name=":0" /> Ṭ, 75a; Chadwick 1993, 171]).
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|'''"Astronomical Diaries and Related Texts."'''
|'''"Astronomical Diaries and Related Texts."'''
See. [AD I-III<ref>''Sachs A., Hunger H''. Astronomical Diaries and Related Texts from Babylonia. Vol. I: Diaries from 652 B.C. to 262 B.C.; Vol. II: from 261 B.C. to 165 B.C.; Vol. III: Diaries from 164 B.C. to 75 B.C. Vienna, 1988, 1989, 1991.</ref>, passim].
See. [AD I-III, passim].
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|'''Anaphora.'''
|'''Anaphora.'''
* (1) A 3427,
* (1) A 3427,
* (2) Sp II 202+, see. [Schaumberger 1955, 238-239, 245-246].
* (2) Sp II 202+, see. [Schaumberger 1955<ref>''Schaumberger J.'' Anaphora und Aufgangskalender in neuen Ziqpu-Texten // ZA. 1955. Bd. 55 (N.F. 17). S. 237-251.</ref>, 238-239, 245-246].
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==== II. Examples. ====
==== II. Examples. ====
          (1) Meteors, bolides; DIŠ ''mi-ši-iḫ'' MUL TA IM.KUR.RA / ''a-na'' IM.MAR.TU ''im-šu-uḫ'' ... "If the trail of a meteor extends from the  east to the west: defeat; the enemy will smite me and take the country." [ARAK, 396 r. 1-4]. [DIŠ] ''mi-ši-iḫ'' MUL ''ana'' <sup>d</sup>UTU.Š[U<sub>2</sub>.A ''im-šuḫ''] ... "[If] the trail of the meteor [extends] towards the west: the king of the western country [will rule the land]" [ARAK, 544 r. 1-2]. See also (Kurtik m32) [[MUL.(d)GAL|MUL.GAL]].
          (1) Meteors, bolides; DIŠ ''mi-ši-iḫ'' MUL TA IM.KUR.RA / ''a-na'' IM.MAR.TU ''im-šu-uḫ'' ... "If the trail of a meteor extends from the  east to the west: defeat; the enemy will smite me and take the country." [ARAK, 396 r. 1-4]. [DIŠ] ''mi-ši-iḫ'' MUL ''ana'' <sup>d</sup>UTU.Š[U<sub>2</sub>.A ''im-šuḫ''] ... "[If] the trail of the meteor [extends] towards the west: the king of the western country [will rule the land]" [ARAK<ref name=":7" />, 544 r. 1-2]. See also (Kurtik m32) [[MUL.(d)GAL|MUL.GAL]].


         (2) Comets; see (Kurtik ts03) [[ṣallummû|''ṣallummû'']].
         (2) Comets; see (Kurtik ts03) [[ṣallummû|''ṣallummû'']].


         (3) Planets; DIŠ MUL <sup>d</sup>AMAR.UTU ''me-eš-ḫu im-šu-uḫ'' ... "If the star of Marduk (in this case = Mercury) gives rise to mišḫu: the country will eat abundant bread" [ARAK, 93 r. 1-2]. DIŠ <sup>mul</sup>''Dil-bat ina'' IGI-''ša''<sub>2</sub> ... ''meš-ḫ''[''u''] TA ŠA<sub>3</sub>-''ša''<sub>2</sub> SUR-''ma'' ... "If Venus at its appearance ... mišḫu radiates from its middle ... " [BPO 3, 56, K.148+:8]. DIŠ ''ina'' AN-''e mi-i''[''š-ḫu ša'' <sup>mul</sup>''Ṣal-bat-a-nu'' IGI] ... "If miš[ḫu of Mars is visible in the sky]: there will be an epidemic, variant: [an epidemic among the cattle in the country]" [LABS, 104 r. 12-13]; for parallels see. [ACh Ištar, 20:85, Suppl. 64 i 10]. DIŠ ''ina'' AN-''e mi-iš-ḫu'' <sup>mul</sup>UDU.IDIM [...] "If the mišḫu of a planet [appears] in the sky...[ACh Suppl. 2, 76:19; CAD M/2, 120b], see also [Langement 1957, 248:67-68]. DIŠ ''ina'' AN-''e meš-ḫa ša''<sub>2</sub> <sup>mul</sup>''Ṣal-bat-a-nu'' IGI ... <sup>mul</sup>''Ṣal-bat-a-nu i-ba-il-ma'' "If a mišḫu is observed in the sky at Mars ... (it means that) Mars has great brilliance" [ACh Suppl. 2, 64:10f; CAD M/2, 121a].
         (3) Planets; DIŠ MUL <sup>d</sup>AMAR.UTU ''me-eš-ḫu im-šu-uḫ'' ... "If the star of Marduk (in this case = Mercury) gives rise to mišḫu: the country will eat abundant bread" [ARAK<ref name=":7" />, 93 r. 1-2]. DIŠ <sup>mul</sup>''Dil-bat ina'' IGI-''ša''<sub>2</sub> ... ''meš-ḫ''[''u''] TA ŠA<sub>3</sub>-''ša''<sub>2</sub> SUR-''ma'' ... "If Venus at its appearance ... mišḫu radiates from its middle ... " [BPO 3<ref name=":2" />, 56, K.148+:8]. DIŠ ''ina'' AN-''e mi-i''[''š-ḫu ša'' <sup>mul</sup>''Ṣal-bat-a-nu'' IGI] ... "If miš[ḫu of Mars is visible in the sky]: there will be an epidemic, variant: [an epidemic among the cattle in the country]" [LABS<ref name=":8" />, 104 r. 12-13]; for parallels see. [ACh Ištar<ref name=":9">''Ch. Virolleaud'', L'astrologie chaldéenne S(in); Shamasz; Isht(ar); Adad; S/Supp. = Supplément; SS / 2.Supp. = Second Supplément (Paris 1905 - 1912)</ref>, 20:85, Suppl. 64 i 10]. DIŠ ''ina'' AN-''e mi-iš-ḫu'' <sup>mul</sup>UDU.IDIM [...] "If the mišḫu of a planet [appears] in the sky...[ACh Suppl.<ref name=":9" /> 2, 76:19; CAD<ref name=":0" /> M/2, 120b], see also [Langement <ref name=":6" />1957, 248:67-68]. DIŠ ''ina'' AN-''e meš-ḫa ša''<sub>2</sub> <sup>mul</sup>''Ṣal-bat-a-nu'' IGI ... <sup>mul</sup>''Ṣal-bat-a-nu i-ba-il-ma'' "If a mišḫu is observed in the sky at Mars ... (it means that) Mars has great brilliance" [ACh Suppl.<ref name=":9" /> 2, 64:10f; CAD<ref name=":0" /> M/2, 121a].


         (4) Meteors and constellations; DIŠ <sup>mul</sup>SIPA.ZI.AN.NA ''meš-ḫa im-šu-uḫ'' ... "If the True Shepherd of Anu gives rise to mišḫu: the king, the lord of the dynasty, because of his misdeeds, will be covered with boils and die" [BPO Suppl., XVIII 10:10f; CAD M/2, 121a] [BPO 2, XVIII 10 + Parallels]. DIŠ <sup>mul</sup>UZ<sub>3</sub> ''meš-ḫa im-šu''[''ḫ''] (glossa: ''mu-ul u''<sub>2</sub>-''za im-šu-''[''uḫ'']) ... "If the Goat emi[ts] mišḫu: the gods will forgive the country, [they will be] favorable to the country" [ARAK, 74:1-3]. DIŠ <sup>mul</sup>SIM.MAḪ [xxxx] (glossa: ''mu-ul ši-im-ma-a''[''ḫ''] ) / ''meš-ḫa'' [''im-šu-uḫ''] ... "If the Swallow [emits] mišḫu: an attack by troops..." [ARAK, 77:1-3]. For other examples concerning mišḫu and MUL.MUL, <sup>mul</sup>A<sub>2</sub><sup>mušen</sup>, <sup>mul</sup>ŠU.PA, see. [CAD M/2, 120b; Chadwik 1993, 167-167], see also (Kurtik z10) ''[[Zibānītum]]'', VI 7, (Kurtik m08) [[MAR.GID2.DA|MAR.GID<sub>2</sub>.DA]], VI 16. It is generally unclear whether such predictions refer to meteors appearing within the constellations in question or to some other luminary phenomena observed within them.
         (4) Meteors and constellations; DIŠ <sup>mul</sup>SIPA.ZI.AN.NA ''meš-ḫa im-šu-uḫ'' ... "If the True Shepherd of Anu gives rise to mišḫu: the king, the lord of the dynasty, because of his misdeeds, will be covered with boils and die" [BPO Suppl., XVIII 10:10f; CAD<ref name=":0" /> M/2, 121a] [BPO 2<ref name=":1" />, XVIII 10 + Parallels]. DIŠ <sup>mul</sup>UZ<sub>3</sub> ''meš-ḫa im-šu''[''ḫ''] (glossa: ''mu-ul u''<sub>2</sub>-''za im-šu-''[''uḫ'']) ... "If the Goat emi[ts] mišḫu: the gods will forgive the country, [they will be] favorable to the country" [ARAK<ref name=":7" />, 74:1-3]. DIŠ <sup>mul</sup>SIM.MAḪ [xxxx] (glossa: ''mu-ul ši-im-ma-a''[''ḫ''] ) / ''meš-ḫa'' [''im-šu-uḫ''] ... "If the Swallow [emits] mišḫu: an attack by troops..." [ARAK<ref name=":7" />, 77:1-3]. For other examples concerning mišḫu and MUL.MUL, <sup>mul</sup>A<sub>2</sub><sup>mušen</sup>, <sup>mul</sup>ŠU.PA, see. [CAD<ref name=":0" /> M/2, 120b; Chadwick 1993<ref name=":3" />, 167-167], see also (Kurtik z10) ''[[Zibānītum]]'', VI 7, (Kurtik m08) [[MAR.GID2.DA|MAR.GID<sub>2</sub>.DA]], VI 16. It is generally unclear whether such predictions refer to meteors appearing within the constellations in question or to some other luminary phenomena observed within them.


         (5) Mišḫu Pabilsaga, see (Kurtik m26) [[Mišiḫ dPA.BIL.SAG|mišiḫ <sup>d</sup>PA.BIL.SAG]].
         (5) Mišḫu Pabilsaga, see (Kurtik m26) [[Mišiḫ dPA.BIL.SAG|''mišiḫ'' <sup>d</sup>PA.BIL.SAG]].


         (6) The moon; DIŠ ''ina'' <sup>iti</sup>SIG<sub>4</sub> UD.15.KAM AN.MI GAR-''ma mi-šiḫ-šu''<sub>2</sub> BABBAR ... "If on the 15th day of siman, there is an eclipse (of the moon) and its mišḫu is white: the king will send to another king messages of reconciliation"  [ABCD, 92:19 + note 6, 283]. DIŠ MUL.AN.NA ''meš-ḫa im-šuḫ'' ... "If the Heavenly Star (=Moon) gives rise to mišḫu...", see (Kurtik m31) [[MUL.AN.NA]].
         (6) The moon; DIŠ ''ina'' <sup>iti</sup>SIG<sub>4</sub> UD.15.KAM AN.MI GAR-''ma mi-šiḫ-šu''<sub>2</sub> BABBAR ... "If on the 15th day of siman, there is an eclipse (of the moon) and its mišḫu is white: the king will send to another king messages of reconciliation"  [ABCD<ref name=":5" />, 92:19 + note 6, 283]. DIŠ MUL.AN.NA ''meš-ḫa im-šuḫ'' ... "If the Heavenly Star (=Moon) gives rise to mišḫu...", see (Kurtik m31) [[MUL.AN.NA]].


         (7) Mišḫu, not connected with the luminaries; [DIŠ <sup>mul</sup>''Dil-bat ina'' GUB<sub>3</sub><sup>?</sup>-''ša''<sub>2</sub>] ''meš''-˹Ca˺ KI.MIN. ''ša''<sub>2</sub>-''bi-ḫu'' DU ... "[If to the left(?) of Venus] stands mišḫu, var.: šabiḫu: the country that has undergone evil will experience abundance" [BPO 3, 48, VAT 10218:84]. DIŠ <sup>mul</sup>''Dil-bat'' MIN-''m''[''a''] ''meš-ḫu'' BI SA<sub>5</sub> (in the two immediately following predictions: BI BABBAR, BI SIG<sub>7</sub> respectively)... "If Venus is ditto (= to her left is mišḫu) and mišḫu is red (var.: white, green)..." [BPO 3, 48, VAT 10218:85-87]. [DIŠ <sup>mul</sup>''Dil-bat ina'' MU]RUB<sub>4</sub>-''ša''<sub>2</sub> KI.MIN ''ina'' EGIR-''ša''<sub>2</sub> ''meš-ḫu'' GIL... "[If Venus, in its cen]ter ditto (= contains mišḫu), var.: mišḫu lies across and behind Venus: the country that has experienced evil will enjoy abundant bread" [BPO 3, 48, VAT 10218:88]; for a parallel see. [ibid., 72, BM 40111:9-13]. DIŠ ''mi-iš''<sup>!</sup> ''ḫu'' IM.U<sub>18</sub>. LU ''iš-kun iš-kun-ma'' / ''im-ṣur im-ṣur-ma'' GUB-''iz'' GUB-''iz-ma'' / ''ip-ru-uṭ ip-ru-uṭ-ma'' UD ''sa-pi-iḫ'' ... "If mišḫu appears in the south repeatedly, forming a circle again and again, and stands there again and again, and flickers again and again, and then dissipates: The ruler shall seize property and possessions during his expedition." [LABS, 111:5-8]; apparently a mirage is involved here. For other examples see. [CAD M/2, 120].
         (7) Mišḫu, not connected with the luminaries; [DIŠ <sup>mul</sup>''Dil-bat ina'' GUB<sub>3</sub><sup>?</sup>-''ša''<sub>2</sub>] ''meš''-˹Ca˺ KI.MIN. ''ša''<sub>2</sub>-''bi-ḫu'' DU ... "[If to the left(?) of Venus] stands mišḫu, var.: šabiḫu: the country that has undergone evil will experience abundance" [BPO 3<ref name=":2" />, 48, VAT 10218:84]. DIŠ <sup>mul</sup>''Dil-bat'' MIN-''m''[''a''] ''meš-ḫu'' BI SA<sub>5</sub> (in the two immediately following predictions: BI BABBAR, BI SIG<sub>7</sub> respectively)... "If Venus is ditto (= to her left is mišḫu) and mišḫu is red (var.: white, green)..." [BPO 3<ref name=":2" />, 48, VAT 10218:85-87]. [DIŠ <sup>mul</sup>''Dil-bat ina'' MU]RUB<sub>4</sub>-''ša''<sub>2</sub> KI.MIN ''ina'' EGIR-''ša''<sub>2</sub> ''meš-ḫu'' GIL... "[If Venus, in its cen]ter ditto (= contains ''mišḫu''), var.: mišḫu lies across and behind Venus: the country that has experienced evil will enjoy abundant bread" [BPO 3<ref name=":2" />, 48, VAT 10218:88]; for a parallel see. [ibid.<ref name=":2" />, 72, BM 40111:9-13]. DIŠ ''mi-iš''<sup>!</sup> ''ḫu'' IM.U<sub>18</sub>. LU ''iš-kun iš-kun-ma'' / ''im-ṣur im-ṣur-ma'' GUB-''iz'' GUB-''iz-ma'' / ''ip-ru-uṭ ip-ru-uṭ-ma'' UD ''sa-pi-iḫ'' ... "If mišḫu appears in the south repeatedly, forming a circle again and again, and stands there again and again, and flickers again and again, and then dissipates: The ruler shall seize property and possessions during his expedition." [LABS<ref name=":8" />, 111:5-8]; apparently a mirage is involved here. For other examples see. [CAD<ref name=":0" /> M/2, 120].


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

Latest revision as of 08:43, 29 September 2025

Mišḫu (𒈨𒋚) is an Akkadian term for a variety of notably bright luminaries in the sky. Individual observed objects can be mišḫu such as metors and comets, but asterisms, including planets, constellations, and constellation parts can have or emit a mišḫu when particularly bright.

Concordance, Etymology, History

Kurtik with Hilder, Hoffmann, Horowitz, Kim

Lit. "radiance, luminosity"; a term used for a phenomena associated with the peculiar glow of various kinds of celestial objects.  These included:

  • 1) meteors, meteorites, bolides;
  • 2) comets; sometimes more specifically mišḫu is a meteor or comet trail;
  • 3) planets;
  • 4) constellations;
  • 5) particular parts of constellations;
  • 6) the moon;
  • 7) auroras not associated with any luminaries; in the last case, it seems to refer to mirages [AHw[1], 660b; CAD[2] M/2, 120-121; BPO 2[3], 19; BPO 3[4], 14; Bjorkman 1973[5]; Chadwick 1993[6]].

In modern literature the word is often transcribed as me-šiḫ, meš-ḫu/a, me-eš-ḫu, cf. [CAD[2] M/2, 120-121], as well as numerous articles in the present edition.

Sources Identifications
Lexical texts.
  • (1) Sumerian list from Nippur: mulmi-si-iḫ dpa.bil2.sag [MSL XI[7], 108:408],
    • Old Babylonian Sumerian list: mulmi-še-eḫ dpa.bil2.sag.ga2 [MSL XI[7], 143, Forerunner 8, col. x 24].
  • (2) Urra XXII series: mulin.dub.an.na = mi-ši-iḫ dPa-bil-sag [SpTU III[8], 114A v 55]; for a parallel see. [Cavigneaux 1979[9], 134:18]; see also mulin-um an-na = mi-ši-iḫ dPa-bil-sag [Bloch-Horowitz 2015[10], 110:312ʹ].
 Example
EAE.

See. [ABCD[11], 92-93, 283; BPO 2[3], XVIII 10; BPO 3[4], 14, 284a; Largement 1957[12], 248:65, 67-68].

"Letters" and "Reports."

See. [ARAK[13], 329a; LABS[14], 348a].

"Astrolabs"

LBAT 1499, (Sections 2-4) e.g. obv. ii 14 [Horowitz 2014[15], 127, with discussion 135-138]

  • DIŠ ina ituGU4 še-rim MUL2.MUL2 3,40 meš-hu im-šuh GU7-ti DINGIR MU.3.KAM 3 ITU <ina> KUR GAL2
    • If in Iyar during the morning-watch, The Star Cluster - 3,40 - produced a glow; (the disease) 'consumption by a god' for three years and three months will be <in> the land.
"Great Star List and Miscellenia."
  • (1) mulan.ta.sur.ra = me-šiḫ mul "Antasurra = shining star";
  • (2) mulan.ta.sur.ra = me-šiḫ dpa.bil.sag "Antasurra = Shining Pabilsag";
  • (3) mulur-um an. na = dmin (=me-šiḫ dpa.bil.sag);
  • (4) mulbur-ru-um an.na = dmin (=me-šiḫ dpa.bil. sag);
  • (5) diš ul ša2 ina igi-šu2 ṣip-ru ina egir-šu2 kun gar-nu / igi-ma an-e zalag2-ir ki-ma ṣal-lum-mu-u2 / ki-ma me-šiḫ mul.meš "If a star, which has a mane in front and a tail behind, appears, and lights up the sky like a meteor, (viz. ) like a flash of stars";
  • (6) ṣal-lum-mu-u2 = meš-ḫu ša2 mul ki-šu2 ia-aʼ-nu "comet = shining without a star";
  • (7) ṣal-lum-mu-u2 = mi-šiḫ mul.meš "comet = shining stars" [Mesop.Astrol.[16], App. B:141, 142-144, 174-178], see also [CAD[2] Ṭ, 75a; Chadwick 1993, 171]).
"Astronomical Diaries and Related Texts."

See. [AD I-III[17], passim].

Anaphora.
  • (1) A 3427,
  • (2) Sp II 202+, see. [Schaumberger 1955[18], 238-239, 245-246].

Additional

II. Examples.

          (1) Meteors, bolides; DIŠ mi-ši-iḫ MUL TA IM.KUR.RA / a-na IM.MAR.TU im-šu-uḫ ... "If the trail of a meteor extends from the  east to the west: defeat; the enemy will smite me and take the country." [ARAK, 396 r. 1-4]. [DIŠ] mi-ši-iḫ MUL ana dUTU.Š[U2.A im-šuḫ] ... "[If] the trail of the meteor [extends] towards the west: the king of the western country [will rule the land]" [ARAK[13], 544 r. 1-2]. See also (Kurtik m32) MUL.GAL.

         (2) Comets; see (Kurtik ts03) ṣallummû.

         (3) Planets; DIŠ MUL dAMAR.UTU me-eš-ḫu im-šu-uḫ ... "If the star of Marduk (in this case = Mercury) gives rise to mišḫu: the country will eat abundant bread" [ARAK[13], 93 r. 1-2]. DIŠ mulDil-bat ina IGI-ša2 ... meš-ḫ[u] TA ŠA3-ša2 SUR-ma ... "If Venus at its appearance ... mišḫu radiates from its middle ... " [BPO 3[4], 56, K.148+:8]. DIŠ ina AN-e mi-i[š-ḫu ša mulṢal-bat-a-nu IGI] ... "If miš[ḫu of Mars is visible in the sky]: there will be an epidemic, variant: [an epidemic among the cattle in the country]" [LABS[14], 104 r. 12-13]; for parallels see. [ACh Ištar[19], 20:85, Suppl. 64 i 10]. DIŠ ina AN-e mi-iš-ḫu mulUDU.IDIM [...] "If the mišḫu of a planet [appears] in the sky...[ACh Suppl.[19] 2, 76:19; CAD[2] M/2, 120b], see also [Langement [12]1957, 248:67-68]. DIŠ ina AN-e meš-ḫa ša2 mulṢal-bat-a-nu IGI ... mulṢal-bat-a-nu i-ba-il-ma "If a mišḫu is observed in the sky at Mars ... (it means that) Mars has great brilliance" [ACh Suppl.[19] 2, 64:10f; CAD[2] M/2, 121a].

         (4) Meteors and constellations; DIŠ mulSIPA.ZI.AN.NA meš-ḫa im-šu-uḫ ... "If the True Shepherd of Anu gives rise to mišḫu: the king, the lord of the dynasty, because of his misdeeds, will be covered with boils and die" [BPO Suppl., XVIII 10:10f; CAD[2] M/2, 121a] [BPO 2[3], XVIII 10 + Parallels]. DIŠ mulUZ3 meš-ḫa im-šu[ḫ] (glossa: mu-ul u2-za im-šu-[uḫ]) ... "If the Goat emi[ts] mišḫu: the gods will forgive the country, [they will be] favorable to the country" [ARAK[13], 74:1-3]. DIŠ mulSIM.MAḪ [xxxx] (glossa: mu-ul ši-im-ma-a[ḫ] ) / meš-ḫa [im-šu-uḫ] ... "If the Swallow [emits] mišḫu: an attack by troops..." [ARAK[13], 77:1-3]. For other examples concerning mišḫu and MUL.MUL, mulA2mušen, mulŠU.PA, see. [CAD[2] M/2, 120b; Chadwick 1993[6], 167-167], see also (Kurtik z10) Zibānītum, VI 7, (Kurtik m08) MAR.GID2.DA, VI 16. It is generally unclear whether such predictions refer to meteors appearing within the constellations in question or to some other luminary phenomena observed within them.

         (5) Mišḫu Pabilsaga, see (Kurtik m26) mišiḫ dPA.BIL.SAG.

         (6) The moon; DIŠ ina itiSIG4 UD.15.KAM AN.MI GAR-ma mi-šiḫ-šu2 BABBAR ... "If on the 15th day of siman, there is an eclipse (of the moon) and its mišḫu is white: the king will send to another king messages of reconciliation"  [ABCD[11], 92:19 + note 6, 283]. DIŠ MUL.AN.NA meš-ḫa im-šuḫ ... "If the Heavenly Star (=Moon) gives rise to mišḫu...", see (Kurtik m31) MUL.AN.NA.

         (7) Mišḫu, not connected with the luminaries; [DIŠ mulDil-bat ina GUB3?-ša2] meš-˹Ca˺ KI.MIN. ša2-bi-ḫu DU ... "[If to the left(?) of Venus] stands mišḫu, var.: šabiḫu: the country that has undergone evil will experience abundance" [BPO 3[4], 48, VAT 10218:84]. DIŠ mulDil-bat MIN-m[a] meš-ḫu BI SA5 (in the two immediately following predictions: BI BABBAR, BI SIG7 respectively)... "If Venus is ditto (= to her left is mišḫu) and mišḫu is red (var.: white, green)..." [BPO 3[4], 48, VAT 10218:85-87]. [DIŠ mulDil-bat ina MU]RUB4-ša2 KI.MIN ina EGIR-ša2 meš-ḫu GIL... "[If Venus, in its cen]ter ditto (= contains mišḫu), var.: mišḫu lies across and behind Venus: the country that has experienced evil will enjoy abundant bread" [BPO 3[4], 48, VAT 10218:88]; for a parallel see. [ibid.[4], 72, BM 40111:9-13]. DIŠ mi-iš! ḫu IM.U18. LU iš-kun iš-kun-ma / im-ṣur im-ṣur-ma GUB-iz GUB-iz-ma / ip-ru-uṭ ip-ru-uṭ-ma UD sa-pi-iḫ ... "If mišḫu appears in the south repeatedly, forming a circle again and again, and stands there again and again, and flickers again and again, and then dissipates: The ruler shall seize property and possessions during his expedition." [LABS[14], 111:5-8]; apparently a mirage is involved here. For other examples see. [CAD[2] M/2, 120].

Historical Dictionaries

Kurtik (2022, m25) Gössmann (1950)
букв. «сияние, свечение»; термин, употреблявшийся для обозначения явлений, связанных с особым свечением различного рода небесных объектов.  В том числе: 1) метеоров, метеоритов, болидов; 2) комет; иногда более конкретно mišḫu — это метеорный или кометный след; 3) планет; 4) созвездий; 5) отдельных частей созвездий; 6) Луны; 7) сияний, не связанных с какими-либо светилами; в последнем случае речь идет, по-видимому, о миражах [AHw, 660b; CAD M/2, 120–121; BPO 2, 19; BPO 3, 14; Bjorkman 1973; Chadwick 1993]. В современной литературе слово нередко транскрибируется как me-šiḫ, meš-ḫu/a, me-eš-ḫu, см. [CAD M/2, 120–121], а также многочисленные статьи настоящего издания.

I. Источники.

Лексич. тексты. (1) Шумерский список из Ниппура: mulmi-si-iḫ dpa.bil2.sag [MSL XI, 108:408], старовавилонский шумерский список: mulmi-še-eḫ dpa.bil2.sag.ga2 [MSL XI, 143, Forerunner 8, col. x 24]. (2) Серия Urra XXII: mulin.dub.an.na = mi-ši-iḫ dPa-bil-sag [SpTU III, 114A v 55]; параллель см. [Cavigneaux 1979, 134:18]; см. также mulin-um an-na = mi-ši-iḫ dPa-bil-sag [Bloch–Horowitz 2015, 110:312ʹ]. EAE. Cм. [ABCD, 92–93, 283; BPO 2, XVIII 10; BPO 3, 14, 284a; Largement 1957, 248:65, 67–68]. «Письма» и «Рапорты». См. [ARAK, 329a; LABS, 348a]. «Большой список звезд». (1) mulan.ta.sur.ra = me-šiḫ mul «Антасурра = сияние звезды»; (2) mulan.ta.sur.ra = me-šiḫ dpa.bil.sag «Антасурра = Сияние Пабилсага»; (3) mulur-um an.na = dmin (=me-šiḫ dpa.bil.sag); (4) mulbur-ru-um an.na = dmin (=me-šiḫ dpa.bil.sag); (5) diš ul ša2 ina igi-šu2 ṣip-ru ina egir-šu2 kun gar-nu / igi-ma an-e zalag2-ir ki-ma ṣal-lum-mu-u2 / ki-ma me-šiḫ mul.meš «Если звезда, у которой грива впереди и хвост позади, появляется, и освещает небо подобно метеору, (т.е.) подобно вспышке звезд»; (6) ṣal-lum-mu-u2 = meš-ḫu ša2 mul ki-šu2 ia-aʼ-nu «комета = сияние без звезды»; (7) ṣal-lum-mu-u2 = mi-šiḫ mul.meš «комета = сияние звезд» [Mesop.Astrol., App. B:141, 142–144, 174–178], см. также [CAD Ṭ, 75a; Chadwick 1993, 171]). «Дневники наблюдений». См. [AD I–III, passim]. Анафора. (1) A 3427, (2) Sp II 202+, см. [Schaumberger 1955, 238–239, 245–246].

II. Примеры.

(1) Метеоры, болиды; DIŠ mi-ši-iḫ MUL TA IM.KUR.RA / a-na IM.MAR.TU im-šu-uḫ … «Если след метеора от востока к западу протянется: поражение;  враг поразит меня и возьмет страну» [ARAK, 396 r. 1–4]. [DIŠ] mi-ši-iḫ MUL ana dUTU.Š[U2.A im-šuḫ] … «[Если] след метеора [протянется] к за[паду]: царь западной страны [будет править землей]» [ARAK, 544 r. 1–2]. См. также m32MUL.GAL.

(2) Кометы; см. ts03ṣallummû.

(3) Планеты; DIŠ MUL dAMAR.UTU me-eš-ḫu im-šu-uḫ … «Если звезда Мардука (в данном случае = Меркурий) порождает mišḫu: страна будет есть обильный хлеб» [ARAK, 93 r. 1–2]. DIŠ mulDil-bat ina IGI-ša2… meš-ḫ[u] TA ŠA3-ša2 SUR-ma … «Если Венера при своем появлении … mišḫu излучает из своей середины… « [BPO 3, 56, K.148+:8]. DIŠ ina AN-e mi-i[š-ḫu ša mulṢal-bat-a-nu IGI] … «Если на небе miš[ḫu Марса видно]: будет эпидемия, вариант: [эпидемия среди скота в стране]» [LABS, 104 r. 12–13]; параллели см. [ACh Ištar, 20:85, Suppl. 64 i 10]. DIŠ ina AN-e mi-iš-ḫu mulUDU.IDIM […] «Если в небе mišḫu планеты [появляется]…[ACh Suppl. 2, 76:19; CAD M/2, 120b], см. также [Langement 1957, 248:67–68]. DIŠ ina AN-e meš-ḫa ša2 mulṢal-bat-a-nu IGI … mulṢal-bat-a-nu i-ba-il-ma «Если на небе у Марса mišḫu наблюдается … (это означает, что)  Марс имеет большой блеск» [ACh Suppl. 2, 64:10f; CAD M/2, 121a].

(4) Метеоры и созвездия; DIŠ mulSIPA.ZI.AN.NA meš-ḫa im-šu-uḫ… «Если Праведный Пастух Ану порождает mišḫu: царь, господин династии, из-за своих злодеяний покроется нарывами и умрет» [BPO 2, XVIII 10 + Parallels]. DIŠ mulUZ3 meš-ḫa im-šu[ḫ] (глосса: mu-ul u2-za im-šu-[uḫ]) … «Если Коза порожда[ет] mišḫu: боги про[стят] страну, [они будут] благосклонны к стране» [ARAK, 74:1–3]. DIŠ mulSIM.MAḪ [xxxx] (глосса: mu-ul ši-im-ma-a[ḫ] ) / meš-ḫa [im-šu-uḫ] … «Если Ласточка [порождает] mišḫu: нападение войск…» [ARAK, 77:1–3]. Другие примеры, касающиеся mišḫu и MUL.MUL, mulA2mušen, mulŠU.PA,  см. [CAD M/2, 120b; Chadwik 1993, 167–167], см. также z10Zibānītum, VI 7, m08MAR.GID2.DA, VI 16. Как правило, неясно, идет ли речь в подобных предсказаниях о метеорах, появляющихся в пределах указанных созвездий, или о каких-то других световых явлениях, наблюдаемых в них.

(5) Mišḫu Пабилсага, см. m26.

(6) Луна; DIŠ ina itiSIG4 UD.15.KAM AN.MI GAR-ma mi-šiḫ-šu2 BABBAR … «Если 15-го симану происходит затмение (Луны) и его mišḫu белое: царь к царю отправит послания о примирении»  [ABCD, 92:19 + note 6, 283]. DIŠ MUL.AN.NA  meš-ḫa im-šuḫ … «Если Небесная звезда (=Луна) порождает mišḫu…», см. m31MUL.AN.NA.

(7) Mišḫu, не связанное со светилами; [DIŠ mulDil-bat ina GUB3?-ša2] meš-˹Ca˺ KI.MIN. ša2-bi-ḫu DU … «[Если слева(?) от Венеры] стоит mišḫu, вар.: šabiḫu: страна, которая претерпела зло, ощутит изобилие» [BPO 3, 48, VAT 10218:84]. DIŠ mulDil-bat MIN-m[a] meš-ḫu BI SA5 (в двух идущих непосредственно за этим предсказаниях: BI BABBAR, BI SIG7 соответственно)…  «Если Венера ditto (= слева от нее стоит mišḫu) и mišḫu это красное (вар.: белое, зеленое)…» [BPO 3, 48, VAT 10218:85–87]. [DIŠ mulDil-bat  ina MU]RUB4-ša2 KI.MIN ina EGIR-ša2 meš-ḫu GIL… «[Если Венера в сере]дине своей ditto (= содержит mišḫu), вар.: позади нее mišḫu поперек лежит: страна, которая испытала зло, насладится изобильным хлебом» [BPO 3, 48, VAT 10218:88]; параллель см. [ibid., 72, BM 40111:9–13]. DIŠ mi-iš!-ḫu IM.U18.LU iš-kun iš-kun-ma / im-ṣur im-ṣur-ma GUB-iz GUB-iz-ma / ip-ru-uṭ ip-ru-uṭ-ma UD sa-pi-iḫ … «Если mišḫu появляется и опять появляется на юге, образует круг и опять образует круг, стоит там и опять стоит там, мерцает и опять мерцает, и рассеялось: правитель захватит имущество и владения во время своей  экспедиции» [LABS, 111:5–8]; по-видимому, здесь речь идет о мираже. Другие примеры см. [CAD M/2, 120].

Example

References

  1. ↑ Soden von W. Akkadisches Handwörterbuch. Wiesbaden, 1985.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 The Assyrian Dictionary of the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. Chicago - Glückstadt, 1956 -...
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Reiner E., Pingree D. Enuma Anu Enlil, Tablets 50-51. Undena Publications, Malibu, 1981 (Babylonian Planetary Omens: Part Two).
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Reiner E., Pingree D. Babylonian Planetary Omens. Part Three. Groningen, STYX Publications. 1998.
  5. ↑ Bjorkman J. Meteors and Meteorites in the Ancient Near East // Meteoritics. 1973. Nr. 8.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Chadwick R. Identifying Comets and Meteors in Celestial Observation Literature / Die Rolle der Astronomie in der Kulturen Mesopotamiens. Graz, 1993.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Materials for the Sumerian Lexicon. Vol. XI. The Series HAR-ra = hubullu. Tablets XX-XXIV. Ed. by E.Reiner with the coll. of M.Civil. Roma, 1974.
  8. ↑ Špätbabylonische Texte aus Uruk. Teil III / Bearb. von Weiher E. von. Berlin, 1988.
  9. ↑ Cavigneaux A. // Baghdader Mitteilungen. 1979. Bd. X. S. 132-134.
  10. ↑ Bloch Y. and W. Horowitz (2015):  “Urra = hubullu XXII: The Standard Recension,” with Y. Bloch, Journal of Cuneiform Studies 67: 71-125.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Rochberg-Halton F. Aspect of Babylonian Celestial Divination: The Lunar Eclipse Tablets of Enuma Anu Enlil. Horn, 1988 (AfO, Beiheft 22).
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Largement R. Contribution à l’Etudes des Astres errants dans l’Astrologie chaldéenne // ZA. 1957. Bd. 18. S.235-264. Abbreviated ACh.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 Hunger H. Astrological Reports to Assyrian Kings. Helsinki, 1992 (State Archives of Assyria, VIII).
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Parpola S. Letters from Assyrian and Babylonian Scholars. Helsinki, 1993 (State Archives of Assyria, Vol. X).
  15. ↑ Horowitz, W. (2014), The three stars each: the Astrolabes and related texts, Archiv für Orientforschung AfO Beiheft, 33.
  16. ↑ Koch-Westenholz U. Mesopotamian  Astrology. Copenhagen, Museum Tusculanum Press. 1995.
  17. ↑ Sachs A., Hunger H. Astronomical Diaries and Related Texts from Babylonia. Vol. I: Diaries from 652 B.C. to 262 B.C.; Vol. II: from 261 B.C. to 165 B.C.; Vol. III: Diaries from 164 B.C. to 75 B.C. Vienna, 1988, 1989, 1991.
  18. ↑ Schaumberger J. Anaphora und Aufgangskalender in neuen Ziqpu-Texten // ZA. 1955. Bd. 55 (N.F. 17). S. 237-251.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 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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