A group of archaeologists has successfully deciphered a 4,000 -year -old cuneiform tablets collection that reveal sinister warnings, including one that prophesies “,”A king will die. ”
According to a recent article published in the Journal of Cuneiform StudiesThese old inscriptions, linked to lunar eclipsesProvide valuable information about how Babylonians understood the cosmos and used divination to predict natural and political disasters.
Inform ancient predictions
The cuneiform tablets An enigma remained Until recent translations were completed. These ancient texts enrolled with omens, many of which predicted misfortunes such as famine, pests, invasions and, in particular, the death of a king. Written in Akkadian, the Language of ancient MesopotamiaThese texts were used by Babylonian rulers to interpret heavenly events as signs of future calamities.
Lunar eclipses, in particular, were seen as heirs of fatality. Babylonian astronomers, with their advanced knowledge of heaven, pointed out that eclipses often coincided with significant interruptions. These celestial events were seen as messages from the gods, warning about the potential disaster.
Lunar eclipses in Babylonian society
In ancient Babylon, lunar eclipses were not simply rare astronomical events, but powerful omens. The Babylonians observed that eclipses often coincided with large interruptions, from crop failures to political disturbances.
Lunar eclipses were considered messages from the gods that predicted imminent misfortunes. These omens played a vital role in maintaining the stability of the kingdom and the well -being of their rulers.
According to Andrew GeorgeOne of the researchers who directed the translation, the Babylonians would react to these warnings with rituals and investigations to the gods. If an omen suggested a great threat, the royal advisors would seek more signs through divination practices, such as Remarking—A ritual that involves the examination of the entrails of sacrificed animals to measure the severity of the threat.
The role of rituals in divination
When a sinister prediction, like the death of a king, seemed imminent, Babylonian officials would act quickly. To verify the omen, they would perform rituals such as Remarkinginterpreting the entrails of sacrificed animals.
If the reading indicated danger, special rituals were performed to avoid the planned misfortune. These practices were essential for the political stability and the safety of the king, which was seen as a key figure in Babylonian society.
The Babylonians believed that the divine favor was necessary for a successful reign, and the interpretation of omens was considered crucial to ensure that favor. If it was thought that the life of a king was at risk, these rituals were made not only to protect the ruler but also to safeguard the future of the kingdom.
Decoding the old tablet
Although cuneiform tablets were acquired by the British museum in the late 19 and Principles of the early twentieth centuryIts importance happened largely unnoticed for decades. With a vast collection of cuneiform tablets in the museum, translating these specific omens was a slow process.
It was not until the 1970s that a scholar recognized its importance, and recent investigations have finally unlocked the meaning behind these ancient predictions.
The translation process was meticulous, which involved detailed readings, drawings and comparisons with other cuneiform texts. Scholars like George and Junko Taniguchi, Those who worked to decode the tablets have discovered a lot of information on the Babylonian divination and the culture of Ancient Mesopotamia.
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