AB.SIN: Difference between revisions

From All Skies Encyclopaedia
AB.SIN
WayneHorowitz (talk | contribs)
No edit summary
 
(5 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 45: Line 45:
|why do we list the refs. here when we quote them anyway below under astrology?
|why do we list the refs. here when we quote them anyway below under astrology?
|-
|-
|'''"Three Stars Each” (astrolabes)'''
|'''"Three Stars Each” (Astrolabe Group)'''
* Text Nv. 10:
CT 33, Nv. 10, and parallels
** <sup>mul</sup>AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> as an asterism of Anu in the months Kislimu and Ṭebetu (Obv. 6, 10), and as the asterism AN.TA.ŠU<sub>2</sub>.UR.RA in the month Simanu (Rev. 31) [Donbaz and Koch 65-66].


* CT 33, 9:
Horowitz 2014: 245
** A list of the 12 asterisms of Anu (no. 9): <sup>[mul]</sup>AB.SIN<sub>2</sub>  [CT 33, 9 r. 12; Horowitz 1998 176]
* CT 33, 9: A list of the 12 asterisms of Anu (no. 9): <sup>[mul]</sup>AB.SIN<sub>2</sub>  [CT 33, 9 r. 12; Horowitz 1998 176]
** Text Nv. 10: <sup>mul</sup>AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> as an asterism of Anu in the months Kislimu and Ṭebetu (Obv. 6, 10), and as the asterism AN.TA.ŠU<sub>2</sub>.UR.RA in the month Simanu (Rev. 31) Fincke 2025: 67-68,
** See previously [Horowitz 2014: 215-216, Donbaz and Koch 65-66].
** Parallels: Fincke 2025: 70: 10', 72: 5'.
** ,
|
|
|-
|-
Line 99: Line 102:
|-
|-
|'''Dalbanna-text.'''  
|'''Dalbanna-text.'''  
* §a. <sup>mul</sup>ab.sin<sub>2</sub> "the Furrow" (α Vir), see (Kurtik z07) [[ZI.BA.AN.NA]].
* §a. <sup>mul</sup>AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> "the Furrow" (α Vir), see (Kurtik z07) [[ZI.BA.AN.NA]].
* §v. <sup>mul</sup>SUḪUŠ AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> "The base of the Furrow" (α Vir), see (Kurtik L07) [[LI9.SI4|<sup>d</sup>LI<sub>9</sub>.SI<sub>4</sub>]].
* §v. <sup>mul</sup>SUḪUŠ AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> "The base of the Furrow" (α Vir), see (Kurtik L07) [[LI9.SI4|<sup>d</sup>LI<sub>9</sub>.SI<sub>4</sub>]].
[Walker 1995 40; Koch 1995 50; ASM 110; Sachs and Hunger Diaries 54].
[Walker 1995 40; Koch 1995 50; ASM 110; Sachs and Hunger Diaries 54].
Line 105: Line 108:
|-
|-
|'''Zodiac and Microzodiac'''
|'''Zodiac and Microzodiac'''
* Related Drawings: [Beaulieu et al.  99 Bottom]  AO 6448 ''bīt niṣirti'' of <sup>d</sup>gu<sub>4</sub>-utu: /<sup>mul</sup>ab/-s[in<sub>2</sub>] to the right of Mercury, see [Thureau-Dangin 1922 no. 12]
* Related Drawings: [Beaulieu et al.  99 Bottom]  AO 6448 ''bīt niṣirti'' of <sup>d</sup>GU<sub>4</sub>-UTU: /<sup>mul</sup>AB/-S[IN<sub>2</sub>] to the right of Mercury, see [Thureau-Dangin 1922 no. 12]
|[[File:Vir Tontafel thureauDangin1922.jpg|alt=Drawing of the tablet AO 6448 by Thureau Dangin 1922.|thumb|Drawing of the tablet AO 6448 by Thureau Dangin 1922.]]
|[[File:Vir Tontafel thureauDangin1922.jpg|alt=Drawing of the tablet AO 6448 by Thureau Dangin 1922.|thumb|Drawing of the tablet AO 6448 by Thureau Dangin 1922.]]
|-
|-
Line 123: Line 126:
|'''"Astronomical Diaries and Related Texts."'''  
|'''"Astronomical Diaries and Related Texts."'''  
* (1) The standard designation of the 6th sign of the zodiac; for the earliest example see [Sachs and Hunger Diaries, No.-463:6-7], but it was undoubtedly used earlier, because the abbreviation ABSIN<sub>0</sub>(KI) appears in the lunar tables dated to the year – 474 [Aaboe and Sachs 1969 11; Britton 1989 29-31].
* (1) The standard designation of the 6th sign of the zodiac; for the earliest example see [Sachs and Hunger Diaries, No.-463:6-7], but it was undoubtedly used earlier, because the abbreviation ABSIN<sub>0</sub>(KI) appears in the lunar tables dated to the year – 474 [Aaboe and Sachs 1969 11; Britton 1989 29-31].
* (2) Included in the name of two "normal stars":  
* (2) Included in the names of two "normal stars":  
** a) DELE ''ša<sub>2</sub>'' IGI ABSIN "Single (star) in front of the Furrow" (γ Vir),
** a) DELE ''ša<sub>2</sub>'' IGI ABSIN "Single (star) in front of the Furrow" (γ Vir),
** b) SA<sub>4</sub> ''ša''<sub>2</sub> ABSIN "Bright (star) of the Furrow" (α Vir) [Sachs and Hunger Diaries 18 and passim].
** b) SA<sub>4</sub> ''ša''<sub>2</sub> ABSIN "Bright (star) of the Furrow" (α Vir) [Sachs and Hunger Diaries 18 and passim].
Line 129: Line 132:
|-
|-
|'''Normal Stars'''
|'''Normal Stars'''
* Hunger and Pingree (1999, 22-23) included in the name of two "normal stars" (see (Kurtik m39) MUL<sub>2</sub>.ŠID.MEŠ)
* Hunger and Pingree (1999, 22-23): included in the names of two "normal stars" (see (Kurtik m39) MUL<sub>2</sub>.ŠID.MEŠ)
** a) DELE ''ša''<sub>2</sub> IGI ABSIN "Single (star) in front of the Furrow" (γ Vir), var.: ''e-du ša''<sub>2</sub> IGI ABSIN [Sachs and Hunger Diaries No. -463 Obv. 6].
** a) DELE ''ša''<sub>2</sub> IGI ABSIN "Single (star) in front of the Furrow" (γ Vir), var.: ''e-du ša''<sub>2</sub> IGI ABSIN [Sachs and Hunger Diaries No. -463 Obv. 6].
** b) SA<sub>4</sub> ''ša''<sub>2</sub> ABSIN "Bright (star) of the Furrow" (α Vir) [Sachs and Hunger Diaries 18 and passim]. 
** b) SA<sub>4</sub> ''ša''<sub>2</sub> ABSIN "Bright (star) of the Furrow" (α Vir) [Sachs and Hunger Diaries 18 and passim]. 
Line 140: Line 143:
|'''Late Babylonian catalog BM 46083.'''  
|'''Late Babylonian catalog BM 46083.'''  
* (a) DELE ''ša'' IGI ABSIN 16 ""Single (star) in front of the Furrow" (γ Virginis).
* (a) DELE ''ša'' IGI ABSIN 16 ""Single (star) in front of the Furrow" (γ Virginis).
* (b) s[a<sub>4</sub>] ''ša''<sub>2</sub><sup>(?)</sup> ABSIN<sup>(?)</sup> 28<sup>(?)</sup> "Bright (star) of the Furrow (corresponding to) 28<sup>(?)</sup> (Virgo)" (α Virginis) [Sachs 1952a 146:3'; [[References (Babylonian)|ASM]] 150].
* (b) S[A<sub>4</sub>] ''ša''<sub>2</sub><sup>(?)</sup> ABSIN<sup>(?)</sup> 28<sup>(?)</sup> "Bright (star) of the Furrow (corresponding to) 28<sup>(?)</sup> (Virgo)" (α Virginis) [Sachs 1952a 146:3'; [[References (Babylonian)|ASM]] 150].
|
|
|}
|}
Line 334: Line 337:


===== Late astrology, magic and the calendar.  =====
===== Late astrology, magic and the calendar.  =====
* (1) Lunaria [Reiner 1995 108-110]. BRM IV, 20: ki <sup>mul</sup>ab.sin<sub>2</sub> "in the area of the Furrow" [Ungnad 1941-44 258-259: 3, 18], see also (Kurtik a07) AB.SIN.
* (1) Lunaria [Reiner 1995 108-110]. BRM IV, 20: KI <sup>mul</sup>AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> "in the area of the Furrow" [Ungnad 1941-44 258-259: 3, 18], see also (Kurtik a07) AB.SIN.
* (2) "Microzodiac.” The division of the zodiacal sign Leo into 12 parts in VAT 7847: the 2nd part is <sup>mul</sup>ab.sin<sub>2</sub>  [Weidner 1967, Taf. 6], see also (Kurtik a07) ABSIN.
* (2) "Microzodiac.” The division of the zodiacal sign Leo into 12 parts in VAT 7847: the 2nd part is <sup>mul</sup>AB.SIN<sub>2</sub>  [Weidner 1967, Taf. 6], see also (Kurtik a07) ABSIN.
* (3) Zodiacal astrology. KI AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> NI<sub>3</sub>.TUK ''ni-ziq-tu''<sub>4</sub>  "in the area of the Furrow (= Virgo): wealth, grief" [SpTU II, 43:23];  parallel:  KI ABSIN NI<sub>3</sub>.TUK ''ni-ziq-ti''  "in the area of the Furrow: wealth, grief"  [TU, 14: 23; Sachs 1952 66, 68], see also [Emelyanov 1999 192].  
* (3) Zodiacal astrology. KI AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> NI<sub>3</sub>.TUK ''ni-ziq-tu''<sub>4</sub>  "in the area of the Furrow (= Virgo): wealth, grief" [SpTU II, 43:23];  parallel:  KI ABSIN NI<sub>3</sub>.TUK ''ni-ziq-ti''  "in the area of the Furrow: wealth, grief"  [TU, 14: 23; Sachs 1952 66, 68], see also [Emelyanov 1999 192].  
* (4) Hypsomata. The Furrow (= Virgo) – Mercury's hypsoma, see (Kurtik g34) [[GU4.UD|GU<sub>4</sub>.UD]].  
* (4) Hypsomata. The Furrow (= Virgo) – Mercury's hypsoma, see (Kurtik g34) [[GU4.UD|GU<sub>4</sub>.UD]].  
* (5) Predicting prices for grain based on the positions of planets relative to zodiacal constellations and other phenomena (AB.SIN<sub>2</sub>) [SpTU I, 94:31].  
* (5) Predicting prices for grain based on the positions of planets relative to zodiacal constellations and other phenomena (AB.SIN<sub>2</sub>) [SpTU I, 94:31].  
* (6) Predictions based on lunar eclipses and the positions of the moon and planets in relation to the signs of the zodiac. DIŠ 30 ''ina'' <sup>mul</sup>AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> AN.MI [GAR-''ma''...]  "If the Moon makes an eclipse in the Furrow (= in Virgo) ..."  [Rochberg-Halton 1984 134:10′, 136: rev. 20], see (Kurtik s20) [[Sîn|''Sîn'']].
* (6) Predictions based on lunar eclipses and the positions of the moon and planets in relation to the signs of the zodiac: DIŠ 30 ''ina'' <sup>mul</sup>AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> AN.MI [GAR-''ma''...]  "If the Moon makes an eclipse in the Furrow (= in Virgo) ..."  [Rochberg-Halton 1984 134:10′, 136 rev. 20], see (Kurtik s20) [[Sîn|''Sîn'']].


See also [TCL 6 13: col. ii 21; SpTU II, 42 r. 4].
See also [TCL 6 13 col. ii 21; SpTU II, 42 r. 4].


===== Spelling variant (ABSIN, ABSIN<sub>0</sub>) =====
===== Spelling variant (ABSIN, ABSIN<sub>0</sub>) =====
Line 351: Line 354:
** (a) AO 6483: 6-''i-tum'' ḪA.LA ABSIN ''šum''<sub>3</sub>-''šu''<sub>2</sub> "6th part, its name is the Furrow." [TU, 14:16; Sachs 1952 66],
** (a) AO 6483: 6-''i-tum'' ḪA.LA ABSIN ''šum''<sub>3</sub>-''šu''<sub>2</sub> "6th part, its name is the Furrow." [TU, 14:16; Sachs 1952 66],
** (b) BM 34713: 6-''tu''<sub>2</sub> ḪA.LA ''ša''<sub>2</sub> mul<sub>2</sub>.LU mul<sub>2</sub>.ABSIN / ''ša''<sub>2</sub> mul<sub>2</sub>.LU "the 6th part of Aries - Furrow of Aries" [Steele Rising Time Schemes 2017, 49 BM 34713:14-15; formerly Schaumberger 1955 245:14-15].
** (b) BM 34713: 6-''tu''<sub>2</sub> ḪA.LA ''ša''<sub>2</sub> mul<sub>2</sub>.LU mul<sub>2</sub>.ABSIN / ''ša''<sub>2</sub> mul<sub>2</sub>.LU "the 6th part of Aries - Furrow of Aries" [Steele Rising Time Schemes 2017, 49 BM 34713:14-15; formerly Schaumberger 1955 245:14-15].
* (4) Calendar and ritual texts. W 22704 (recipe for making ointments + "dodecatemoria"):  MIN(= ŠU) 12 // ABSIN 24 // ''ši-gu-šu''<sub>2</sub> ''qaqqad''(SAG.DU) ''a-ri-bi u kappi''(PA) ''a-ri-bi'' MIN(= ''tapaššaš'')  "Du'uzu 12 // Virgo 24 // Flour from ''šigūšu''-barley, raven’s head and raven’s wing – you anoint (the patient)"  [SpTU III, 104: 12, also 104:25]; parallel for the month of Arahsamnu see W 22619/9+ [SpTU III, 105:5, 18].
* (4) Calendar and ritual texts. W 22704 (recipe for making ointments + "dodecatemoria"):  MIN(= ŠU) 12 // ABSIN 24 // ''ši-gu-šu''<sub>2</sub> ''qaqqad''(SAG.DU) ''a-ri-bi u kappi''(PA) ''a-ri-bi'' MIN(= ''tapaššaš'')  "Du'uzu 12 // Virgo 24 // Flour from ''šigūšu''-barley, raven’s head and raven’s wing – you anoint (the patient)"  [SpTU III, 104: 12, also 104:25]; parallel for the month Arahsamnu see W 22619/9+ [SpTU III, 105:5, 18].
* (5) Zodiacal astrology. KI ABSIN ''a-lid'' ... "In the area of the Furrow (the child) was born..." [LBAT, 1593 rev. 5′; Reiner 2000]. See also [SpTU I, 96:6; SpTU III, 102:13-14]. In the new edition of BM 46083: DELE ''ša''<sub>2</sub> IGI ABSIN 15 SA<sub>4</sub> ''ša''<sub>2</sub> ABSIN 24 + [x...] "Single (star) in front of the Furrow 15. Bright Star of the Furrow 24 [+x]." [Roughton, Steele, and Walker 563-564]
* (5) Zodiacal astrology. KI ABSIN ''a-lid'' ... "In the area of the Furrow (the child) was born..." [LBAT, 1593 rev. 5′; Reiner 2000]. See also [SpTU I, 96:6; SpTU III, 102:13-14]. In the new edition of BM 46083: DELE ''ša''<sub>2</sub> IGI ABSIN 15 SA<sub>4</sub> ''ša''<sub>2</sub> ABSIN 24 + [x...] "Single (star) in front of the Furrow 15. Bright Star of the Furrow 24 [+x]." [Roughton, Steele, and Walker 563-564]


Line 363: Line 366:


* In MUL.APIN I ii 10 is given the identity: "Furrow, goddess Šala, ear".
* In MUL.APIN I ii 10 is given the identity: "Furrow, goddess Šala, ear".
* On the Seleucid tablet AO 6448 is depicted a standing female figure in a long garment, draped at the waist, with an ear in her hand, and next to her are symbolic images of Mercury, the Raven and Snake [Weidner 1924, Taf. 5; 1967, Taf. 10] (fig. 12). This is probably the figure of the constellation <sup>mul</sup>AB.SIN<sub>2</sub>. A similar figure is presented on one poorly preserved Seleucid seal impression [Wallenfels 1994 19, No. 107] (Fig. 31).
* On the Seleucid tablet AO 6448 is depicted a standing female figure in a long garment, draped at the waist, with an ear in her hand, and next to her are symbolic images of Mercury, the Raven and the Snake [Weidner 1924, Taf. 5; 1967, Taf. 10] (fig. 12). This is probably the figure of the constellation <sup>mul</sup>AB.SIN<sub>2</sub>. A similar figure is presented on one poorly preserved Seleucid seal impression [Wallenfels 1994 19, No. 107] (Fig. 31).
* The image of the ear is also found on Seleucid seals from Uruk in combination with other astral symbols (Capricornus, bull, month) [Wallenfels 1994 19, No. 697-704, 861, 866; App. I 155] (fig. 38). The standing female figure with an ear in her hand – just like the symbol of the Virgin found on Egyptian monuments of the late Hellenistic times – is probably of Mesopotamian origin [Kurtik 2002, ill. 5, 7].
* The image of the ear is also found on Seleucid seals from Uruk in combination with other astral symbols (Capricornus, bull) [Wallenfels 1994 19, No. 697-704, 861, 866; App. I 155] (fig. 38). The standing female figure with an ear in her hand – just like the symbol of the Virgin found on Egyptian monuments of late Hellenistic times – is probably of Mesopotamian origin [Kurtik 2002, ill. 5, 7].
* On the "Planisphere" K 8538, according to Koch's interpretation, the schematic picture of <sup>mul</sup>AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> is given in the 5th sector in the form of a triangle, in which is the inscription BAD BAD. [Koch 1989 80-85] (ill. 9).  
* On the "Planisphere" K 8538, according to Koch's interpretation, the schematic picture of <sup>mul</sup>AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> is given in the 5th sector in the form of a triangle, in which is the inscription BAD BAD [Koch 1989 80-85] (ill. 9).
* According to D. Foxvog, the text W 22646 contains a list of zodiacal constellation symbols; in it AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> (sign of the zodiacal sign Virgo) is put in correspondence with ŠE.BAR "grain" [Foxvog 1993 107; SpTU II, 43:6, 23].
* According to D. Foxvog, the text W 22646 contains a list of zodiacal constellation symbols; in it AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> (sign of the zodiacal sign Virgo) is put in correspondence with ŠE.BAR "grain" [Foxvog 1993 107; SpTU II, 43:6, 23].


Line 372: Line 375:
===== Identifications: =====
===== Identifications: =====


* (1) = Bow; /DIŠ <sup>mul</sup>KU<sub>6</sub>/ ''ana'' <sup>mul</sup>BAN TE ... <sup>d</sup>GU<sub>4</sub>.UD ''ana'' <sup>mul</sup>A[B.SIN<sub>2</sub>] "If the Fish comes close to the Bow ... (it means:) Mercury (approaches) the Furrow" [BPO 2, XVI 17, + Parallels; SAA 8, 325:4-7].
* (1) = Bow: /DIŠ <sup>mul</sup>KU<sub>6</sub>/ ''ana'' <sup>mul</sup>BAN TE ... <sup>d</sup>GU<sub>4</sub>.UD ''ana'' <sup>mul</sup>A[B.SIN<sub>2</sub>] "If the Fish comes close to the Bow ... (it means:) Mercury (approaches) the Furrow" [BPO 2, XVI 17, + Parallels; SAA 8, 325:4-7].


* (2) = Arrow; DIŠ <sup>mul</sup>BAN ''ana'' <sup>mul</sup>KAK.SI.SA<sub>2</sub> KUR-''ud'' ... <sup>d</sup>GU<sub>4</sub>.UD ''ina'' ŠA<sub>3</sub> <sup>mul</sup>AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> DU-''ma'' "If the Bow reaches the Arrow ... (it means:) Mercury stands inside the Furrow" [BPO 2, XVI 18 + Parallels].
* (2) = Arrow: DIŠ <sup>mul</sup>BAN ''ana'' <sup>mul</sup>KAK.SI.SA<sub>2</sub> KUR-''ud'' ... <sup>d</sup>GU<sub>4</sub>.UD ''ina'' ŠA<sub>3</sub> <sup>mul</sup>AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> DU-''ma'' "If the Bow reaches the Arrow ... (it means:) Mercury stands inside the Furrow" [BPO 2, XVI 18 + Parallels].


* (3) = The Field; cf. [SAA 8, 82 r. 8].
* (3) = The Field[SAA 8, 82 r. 8].


See also “The Great Star List”
See also “The Great Star List”
Line 383: Line 386:


* (4) A lunar eclipse within the Furrow:  
* (4) A lunar eclipse within the Furrow:  
** DIŠ ''ina'' <sup>iti</sup>ŠE UD.14.KAM AN.MI 30 GAR-''ma'' ... ''taš-nin-tu''<sub>4</sub> ''ina'' KUR GAL<sub>2</sub>-''ši ina'' KI MUL<sub>x</sub>(AB<sub>2</sub>) AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> ''u'' GENNA BAD.MEŠ "If on the 14th of Adar a lunar eclipse occurs, ... there will be conflict in the country. (If it occurs) in the area of the Furrow and Saturn, (there will be) a plague." [Rochberg-Halton 1988 285: 28-29];
** DIŠ ''ina'' <sup>iti</sup>ŠE UD.14.KAM AN.MI 30 GAR-''ma'' ... ''taš-nin-tu''<sub>4</sub> ''ina'' KUR GAL<sub>2</sub>-''ši ina'' KI MUL<sub>x</sub>(AB<sub>2</sub>) AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> ''u'' GENNA BAD.MEŠ "If on the 14th of Adar a lunar eclipse occurs, ... there will be conflict in the country. (If it occurs) in the area of the Furrow and Saturn, (there will be) deaths." [Rochberg-Halton 1988 285: 28-29];
** [...<sup>mul</sup>A]B.SIN<sub>2</sub> ''a-dir'' EŠ.BAR AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> GUN-''ša''<sub>2</sub> ''i-ḫar-ra-ar'' SU.KU<sub>2</sub> ŠE ''u'' IN.NU "[If the Moon] is eclipsed in the Furrow: decision for the furrow; income from the furrows will decrease, there will be hunger for barley and straw" [Verderame 2002, Table IIa: 3′; Weidner 1963 118, MNB 1849:46].
** [...<sup>mul</sup>A]B.SIN<sub>2</sub> ''a-dir'' EŠ.BAR AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> GUN-''ša''<sub>2</sub> ''i-ḫar-ra-ar'' SU.KU<sub>2</sub> /ŠE ''u'' IN.NU/ "[If the Moon] is eclipsed in the Furrow: decision for the furrow; income from the furrows will decrease, there will be hunger for barley and straw" [Verderame 2002, Table IIa: 3′; Weidner 1963 118, MNB 1849:46].


* (5) Venus and the Furrow;  
* (5) Venus and the Furrow;  
Line 391: Line 394:
** [DIŠ <sup>mul</sup>''Dil-bat ana'' <sup>mul</sup>A]B.SIN<sub>2</sub> TE-''ma'' IM.SI.SA<sub>2</sub> DU SAL.UŠ.DAM [...] "[If Venus] comes close to the [Fu]rrow and the northern wind blows: the main wife ..." [ibid., rev 28]; for a parallel see [ibid., ND 4362: 18-20].
** [DIŠ <sup>mul</sup>''Dil-bat ana'' <sup>mul</sup>A]B.SIN<sub>2</sub> TE-''ma'' IM.SI.SA<sub>2</sub> DU SAL.UŠ.DAM [...] "[If Venus] comes close to the [Fu]rrow and the northern wind blows: the main wife ..." [ibid., rev 28]; for a parallel see [ibid., ND 4362: 18-20].


* (6) Uriri and the Furrow: DIŠ U.RI.RI ''ana'' AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> KU.NU-''ma'' ŠU.BI.AŠ.AM<sub>3</sub> "If the star Uriri (= comet?) approaches the Furrow: the same will happen (= horse pestilence)" (MUL.APIN II iii 24) [Hunger and Steele 2019, 102].
* (6) Uriri and the Furrow: DIŠ U.RI.RI ''ana'' AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> KU.NU-''ma'' ŠU.BI.AŠ.AM<sub>3</sub> "If (the star) Uriri (= comet?) approaches the Furrow: the same will happen (= horse pestilence)" (MUL.APIN II iii 24) [Hunger and Steele 2019, 102].


* (7) Mercury in the Furrow has great brilliance; see (Kurtik u11) [[UGA]], VI 3.
* (7) Mercury in the Furrow has great brilliance; see (Kurtik u11) [[UGA]], VI 3.
Line 397: Line 400:
* (8) Observations for astrological purposes;  
* (8) Observations for astrological purposes;  
** ''mu-ši a-ga-a'' <sup>d</sup>30 TUR<sub>3</sub> ''il-ta-mi'' / <sup>mul</sup>AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> ''u'' <sup>mul</sup>A.EDIN ''ina'' ŠA<sub>3</sub>-''bi u''<sub>2</sub>-''šu-uz-zu'' "This night a halo surrounded the moon, the Furrow and Erua stood in it" [SAA 8, 295 r. 1-2];
** ''mu-ši a-ga-a'' <sup>d</sup>30 TUR<sub>3</sub> ''il-ta-mi'' / <sup>mul</sup>AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> ''u'' <sup>mul</sup>A.EDIN ''ina'' ŠA<sub>3</sub>-''bi u''<sub>2</sub>-''šu-uz-zu'' "This night a halo surrounded the moon, the Furrow and Erua stood in it" [SAA 8, 295 r. 1-2];
** <sup>mul</sup>UDU.IDIM.GUD.UD ''ina'' <sup>d</sup>UTU.E<sub>3</sub> 0<sup>!</sup> / ''ina qaq-qar'' <sup>mul</sup>AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> ''it-tan-mar'' "Mercury became visible in the east in the area of the Furrow" [SAA 8, 325: 1-2];
** <sup>mul</sup>UDU.IDIM.GU<sub>4</sub>.UD ''ina'' <sup>d</sup>UTU.E<sub>3</sub> 0<sup>!</sup> / ''ina qaq-qar'' <sup>mul</sup>AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> ''it-tan-mar'' "Mercury became visible in the east in the area of the Furrow" [SAA 8, 325: 1-2];
** TUR<sub>3</sub> ''ša''<sub>2</sub> <sup>mul</sup>AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> / ''a-na'' A.AN ''u'' A.KAL / ''ina'' EN.TE.NA ''i-lap-pat'' "The halo of the Furrow foretells rain and flood in the winter season"  [SAA 8, 378: 4-r.1];
** TUR<sub>3</sub> ''ša''<sub>2</sub> <sup>mul</sup>AB.SIN<sub>2</sub> / ''a-na'' A.AN ''u'' A.KAL / ''ina'' EN.TE.NA ''i-lap-pat'' "A halo of the Furrow foretells rain and flood in the winter season"  [SAA 8, 378: 4-r.1];
** <sup>mul</sup>''Dil-bat a-na'' <sup>mul</sup>AB<sup>!</sup>.SIN<sub>2</sub> / ''i-kaš-šad'' "Venus will reach the Furrow" [SAA 10 224: 10]; for observations of Mars and its approach to the Furrow, see [ibid. 206: 4-9].
** <sup>mul</sup>''Dil-bat a-na'' <sup>mul</sup>AB<sup>!</sup>.SIN<sub>2</sub> / ''i-kaš-šad'' "Venus will reach the Furrow" [SAA 10 224: 10]; for observations of Mars and its approach to the Furrow, see [ibid. 206: 4-9].


Line 515: Line 518:
[[Category:Sumerian]]
[[Category:Sumerian]]
[[Category:Vir]]
[[Category:Vir]]
<references />

Latest revision as of 03:28, 12 April 2026

Authors: Susanne M Hoffmann, Wayne Horowitz, Hermann Hunger, Gennady E. Kurtik, Euin Choung Kim, David Hilder, Jan Safford, Youla Azkarrula


Drawing of the tablet AO 6448 by Thureau Dangin 1922.

AB.SÍN2/ABSIN = šerʾu, 'The Furrow.' We give together 𒀊𒉆 AB.SIN2 (Kurtik a06) and 𒆠𒀸𒀸 ABSIN (Kurtik a07), the latter being a diri-compound whose reading is proved by Diri IV 276-277: ab-si-in KI.AŠ.AŠ = abšennu, šer'u. The constellation includes stars in classical Virgo for which an illustration is available in the set of drawings related to the Uranology Group (see the drawing on AO 6448 below). It is not certain how much of the drawing corresponds to Mesopotamian perceptions of the constellation over time, but it is clear that the Mesopotamian asterism certainly included the barley stalk that the goddess is holding.

Concordance, Etymology, History[1]

Variants

  • mulAB.SIN2 (137)
    • = šir'u,
    • = šerʾu,
  • ABSIN is a later writing of the name.
    • mulKI.AŠ.AŠ,
    • mulKI.DILI.DILI,
    • mulKI.DIDLI,
    • mulKI.ḪAL

"The Furrow" [AHw 7; CAD Š/2 330; Gössmann 1950, 4].

Hoffmann and Krebernik (2023)[2] point out that AHw. 7 refers to CT 33, 1: 11 in favour of a reading absinnu, but the correct restoration there is [sis]-sin-nu. In MUL.APIN's explanatory list, the term mulAB.SÍN occurs in the Anu-path, 15th entry (explanandum). It is associated with the goddess Šala:[2]

Šala. Goddess, wife of the NAAM god Iškur/Adad, associated with rain:

  • dŠa-la šu-bu-ul-tu4 (AN 15r),
  • Šala, the stalk/ ear/ spike of grain.

Var. designations:

  • ABSIN0(KI); = šer'u "Furrow" [AHw 7; CAD Š/2 330; Ungnad 1941-44 257; Gössmann 1950, 4].
  • On the probable translation of ABSIN "Barley Stalk" see [Sachs 1952a 146, note 3].
  • Constellation and zodiacal sign mulAB.SIN2 "Furrow" (= Virgo) in later astronomical and astrological texts.

Sources and Identification(s)

Sources Identifications

AB.SIN2

Lexical texts.
  • Urra 22: 302: mulAB.SIN2 = ši-ir-'u "Furrow" (Horowitz and Bloch 2015: 109)
EAE.

See [Rochberg-Halton 1988 285, BM 47447 r. 29; BPO 2, XVI 17-18; BPO 3 B K.35:10, K.3601+: rev. 26-28, K.6021+:6, ND 4362 ii 18-20; Verderame 2002 249; SpTU I, 90 r. 6'; 91:3; 93:7; 94:31; 96:6; SpTU III, 102:12-14]

why do we list the refs. here when we quote them anyway below under astrology?
"Three Stars Each” (Astrolabe Group)

CT 33, Nv. 10, and parallels

Horowitz 2014: 245

  • CT 33, 9: A list of the 12 asterisms of Anu (no. 9): [mul]AB.SIN2 [CT 33, 9 r. 12; Horowitz 1998 176]
    • Text Nv. 10: mulAB.SIN2 as an asterism of Anu in the months Kislimu and Ṭebetu (Obv. 6, 10), and as the asterism AN.TA.ŠU2.UR.RA in the month Simanu (Rev. 31) Fincke 2025: 67-68,
    • See previously [Horowitz 2014: 215-216, Donbaz and Koch 65-66].
    • Parallels: Fincke 2025: 70: 10', 72: 5'.
    • ,
MUL.APIN.
  • (1) The stars of Anu (no. 15):
    • mulAB.SIN2 dŠa-la šu-bu-ul-tu4
    • "The furrow, the goddess Šala, the ear of grain" (I ii 10).
  • (2) Dates of heliacal risings:
    • ina itiKIN UD 25 KAM mulAB.SIN2 IGI
    • "On the 25th day of the month Ululu the Furrow becomes visible" ( I ii 47).
  • (3) Simultaneous daily risings and settings:
    • mulKU6 u mulŠU.GI KURmeš-ma mulAB.SIN2 u mulUR.IDIM ŠU2meš
    • "The Fish and the Old Man rise and the Furrow and the Mad Dog set" (I iii 33).
  • (4) Intervals between dates of heliacal risings:
    • TA KUR ša2 mulŠU.PA 10 UDmeš ana KUR mulAB.SIN2 / TA KUR ša2 mulAB.SIN2 20 UDmeš ana KUR ša2 mulzi-ba-ni-tu4
    • "10 days from the rising of ŠU.PA to the rising of the Furrow, 20 days from the rising of the Furrow to the rising of the Scales" (I iii 36-37).
  • (5) Asterisms "in the path of the Moon": mulAB.SIN2, after mulUR.GU.LA, before mulZi-ba-ni-tu4 (I iv 35), see (Kurtik s20) Sîn.
  • (6) Astrological predictions: star U.RI.RI and AB.SIN2 (II iii 24), see (Kurtik u01)U.RI.RI [Hunger and Steele 2019, 126, 223].
AB.SIN2 as painted by Jessica Gullberg for Stellarium 2021.
AB.SIN2 as painted by Jessica Gullberg for Stellarium 2021.
Letters and Reports: 
  • SAA 8 295 rev. 1-2:
    • AB.SIN2 and E4.RU6 in halo of the Moon.
  • [SAA 8 82 r. 8, 325:2, 378:5].
  • SAA 10 "Letters" and "Reports." See [SAA 10 224:10, 206:9]
"The Great Star List" (SAG.ME.GAR = ŠUL.PA.E3)
  • Astrological association:
    • mulBAN / mulAB.SIN2,
    • mulGILIM / mulMIN,
    • mulTIR.AN.NA / mulMIN,
    • mula-ri-tum / mulMIN,
    • mulMAR.GID2.DA / mul[MIN], [...], where mulMIN apparently = mulAB.SIN2 [Mesop.Astrol., App. B:41ff.]
this does not affect the identification, it's just an association
GU-text.
  • (K) or GU XI
    • mulE4-ru6 (A.EDIN) KI.MIN mulAB.SIN2 dŠullat(PA) u Ḫaniš(LUGAL) mulUDU.IDIM.GU4.UD / ša2 ana(ŠE3) mu[l]AB.SIN2 ina IGI mulUGA GUB-zu GU
    • translation: "Erua, or the Furrow, Šullat and Ḫaniš (ε Cen), Mercury, who stands towards the Furrow before the Raven – a string" [Pingree and Walker 1988 (Fs. Sachs) 315 BM 78161:17-18];
  • Identifications:
    • ziqpu XXV (Erua): γ Com
    • the Furrow is the area around α, γ, and ε Vir
    • Šullat and Ḫaniš: (ε Cen according to Kurtik, according to [Koch 1992 58] it is β, α Cen); see also [ASM 92].
the constellation as visualized in Stellarium
Furrow with Ear of Grain next to the Lion and the Mušḫuššu Dragon with Raven
Stellarium map with the GU XI
GU XI star chart (Hoffmann 2022)
Dalbanna-text.
  • §a. mulAB.SIN2 "the Furrow" (α Vir), see (Kurtik z07) ZI.BA.AN.NA.
  • §v. mulSUḪUŠ AB.SIN2 "The base of the Furrow" (α Vir), see (Kurtik L07) dLI9.SI4.

[Walker 1995 40; Koch 1995 50; ASM 110; Sachs and Hunger Diaries 54].

star chart
Dalbana "a" (Susanne M Hoffmann 2024)
star chart
Dalbana "v"... sorry: cut-off (Hoffmann 2024)
Zodiac and Microzodiac
  • Related Drawings: [Beaulieu et al. 99 Bottom] AO 6448 bīt niṣirti of dGU4-UTU: /mulAB/-S[IN2] to the right of Mercury, see [Thureau-Dangin 1922 no. 12]
Drawing of the tablet AO 6448 by Thureau Dangin 1922.
Drawing of the tablet AO 6448 by Thureau Dangin 1922.
Zodiac and Microzodiac
The Goddess with the Ear of Grain on AO 6448.
The Goddess with the Ear of Grain on AO 6448.

ABSIN, ABSIN0 (spelling variants)

Mathematical Astronomy.
  • ABSIN = KI.AŠ.AŠ = KI.DILI.DILI = KI.DIDLI = KI.ḪAL
  • ABSIN0 = KI

All these are designations of the 6th sign of the zodiac in the ephemerides [ACT 38, 467], for the earliest example see [Sachs and Hunger Diaries, No.-463:6-7]. However, the term was undoubtedly used earlier, because the abbreviation KI (ABSIN0) appears in lunar tables dated to the year –474 [Aaboe and Sachs 1969 11; Britton 1989 29-31].

"Astronomical Diaries and Related Texts."
  • (1) The standard designation of the 6th sign of the zodiac; for the earliest example see [Sachs and Hunger Diaries, No.-463:6-7], but it was undoubtedly used earlier, because the abbreviation ABSIN0(KI) appears in the lunar tables dated to the year – 474 [Aaboe and Sachs 1969 11; Britton 1989 29-31].
  • (2) Included in the names of two "normal stars":
    • a) DELE ša2 IGI ABSIN "Single (star) in front of the Furrow" (γ Vir),
    • b) SA4 ša2 ABSIN "Bright (star) of the Furrow" (α Vir) [Sachs and Hunger Diaries 18 and passim].
Normal Stars
  • Hunger and Pingree (1999, 22-23): included in the names of two "normal stars" (see (Kurtik m39) MUL2.ŠID.MEŠ)
    • a) DELE ša2 IGI ABSIN "Single (star) in front of the Furrow" (γ Vir), var.: e-du ša2 IGI ABSIN [Sachs and Hunger Diaries No. -463 Obv. 6].
    • b) SA4 ša2 ABSIN "Bright (star) of the Furrow" (α Vir) [Sachs and Hunger Diaries 18 and passim]. 
why is this repeated?
Anaphora.
  • BM 36609+: ... KI ša2 ABSIN [Roughton, Steele, and Walker 543, Section 4: obv. ii 19-20].
Late Babylonian catalog BM 46083.
  • (a) DELE ša IGI ABSIN 16 ""Single (star) in front of the Furrow" (γ Virginis).
  • (b) S[A4] ša2(?) ABSIN(?) 28(?) "Bright (star) of the Furrow (corresponding to) 28(?) (Virgo)" (α Virginis) [Sachs 1952a 146:3'; ASM 150].
Convex Hull for the stars inside AB.SIN (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).
AB.SIN2 as painted by Jessica Gullberg for Stellarium 2021.
AB.SIN2 as painted by Jessica Gullberg for Stellarium 2021.

Stars within the Constellation Area

id Label IAU design. description Vmag
1 Spica HIP 65474 Constellation lines (Vertex) 0.97
2 Porrima HIP 61941 Constellation lines 2.74
3 Vindemiatrix HIP 63608 Constellation lines (Vertex) 2.79
4 Minelauva HIP 63090 Constellation lines 3.38
5 * gam Vir B HR 4826 Inside the Hull 3.49
6 ν Virginis HIP 57380 Constellation lines (Vertex) 4.04
7 θ Virginis HIP 64238 Inside the Hull 4.397
8 π Virginis HIP 58590 Inside the Hull 4.642
9 16 Vir HIP 60172 Inside the Hull 4.96
10 d2 Vir HIP 62267 Inside the Hull 5.207
11 31 Vir HIP 61968 Inside the Hull 5.573
12 - HIP 62325 Inside the Hull 5.65
13 FW Vir HIP 61658 Inside the Hull 5.71
14 - HIP 59309 Inside the Hull 5.72
15 44 Vir HIP 63414 Inside the Hull 5.791
16 79 G. Vir HIP 62103 Inside the Hull 5.918
17 37 Vir HIP 62757 Inside the Hull 6.003
18 56 G. Vir HIP 61103 Inside the Hull 6.034
19 * 46 Vir A HIP 63494 Inside the Hull 6.07
20 38 Vir HIP 62875 Inside the Hull 6.11
21 68 G. Vir HIP 61637 Inside the Hull 6.334
22 EP Vir HIP 62376 Inside the Hull 6.34
23 51 G. Vir HIP 60804 Inside the Hull 6.342
24 - HIP 58809 Inside the Hull 6.38
25 35 Vir HIP 62443 Inside the Hull 6.41
26 91 G. Vir HIP 62915 Inside the Hull 6.439
27 17 Vir HIP 60353 Inside the Hull 6.47

Additional

Previous Identifications:

  • = the eastern section of the constellation Virgo (without β Vir) [Gössmann 1950, 4];
  • = Virgo [Weidner 1957-1959 76];
  • = α + other stars of Vir [BPO 2 10; ASM 272];
  • = 74, 82, α Vir [Koch 1989 79].
  • = Virgo [Mesop.Astrol. 207, App. C].
Late astrology, magic and the calendar. 
  • (1) Lunaria [Reiner 1995 108-110]. BRM IV, 20: KI mulAB.SIN2 "in the area of the Furrow" [Ungnad 1941-44 258-259: 3, 18], see also (Kurtik a07) AB.SIN.
  • (2) "Microzodiac.” The division of the zodiacal sign Leo into 12 parts in VAT 7847: the 2nd part is mulAB.SIN2 [Weidner 1967, Taf. 6], see also (Kurtik a07) ABSIN.
  • (3) Zodiacal astrology. KI AB.SIN2 NI3.TUK ni-ziq-tu4 "in the area of the Furrow (= Virgo): wealth, grief" [SpTU II, 43:23]; parallel: KI ABSIN NI3.TUK ni-ziq-ti "in the area of the Furrow: wealth, grief" [TU, 14: 23; Sachs 1952 66, 68], see also [Emelyanov 1999 192].
  • (4) Hypsomata. The Furrow (= Virgo) – Mercury's hypsoma, see (Kurtik g34) GU4.UD.
  • (5) Predicting prices for grain based on the positions of planets relative to zodiacal constellations and other phenomena (AB.SIN2) [SpTU I, 94:31].
  • (6) Predictions based on lunar eclipses and the positions of the moon and planets in relation to the signs of the zodiac: DIŠ 30 ina mulAB.SIN2 AN.MI [GAR-ma...] "If the Moon makes an eclipse in the Furrow (= in Virgo) ..." [Rochberg-Halton 1984 134:10′, 136 rev. 20], see (Kurtik s20) Sîn.

See also [TCL 6 13 col. ii 21; SpTU II, 42 r. 4].

Spelling variant (ABSIN, ABSIN0)
  • (1) Horoscopes: ABSIN is the designation of the 6th sign of the zodiac [BH, passim].
  • (2) “Lunaria”.
    • a) BRM IV, 20, see (Kurtik a06) AB.SIN2,
    • b) BRM IV, 19: ABSIN is the designation of the zodiacal sign Furrow (= Virgo) in the zodiacal scheme known as "dodecatemoria" or "calendar texts" [Ungnad 1941-44 274-275: c, l, m, 6, 25, 27; Neugebauer and Sachs 1952-53; Van der Waerden, in Weidner 1967 50-52; Hunger 1996 WZKM 86 191-196; Brack-Bernsen and Steele 2004 Fs. Pingree 95-125].
  • (3) "Microzodiac.” The division of the zodiacal sign Hired Man (=Aries) into 12 parts:
    • (a) AO 6483: 6-i-tum ḪA.LA ABSIN šum3-šu2 "6th part, its name is the Furrow." [TU, 14:16; Sachs 1952 66],
    • (b) BM 34713: 6-tu2 ḪA.LA ša2 mul2.LU mul2.ABSIN / ša2 mul2.LU "the 6th part of Aries - Furrow of Aries" [Steele Rising Time Schemes 2017, 49 BM 34713:14-15; formerly Schaumberger 1955 245:14-15].
  • (4) Calendar and ritual texts. W 22704 (recipe for making ointments + "dodecatemoria"): MIN(= ŠU) 12 // ABSIN 24 // ši-gu-šu2 qaqqad(SAG.DU) a-ri-bi u kappi(PA) a-ri-bi MIN(= tapaššaš) "Du'uzu 12 // Virgo 24 // Flour from šigūšu-barley, raven’s head and raven’s wing – you anoint (the patient)" [SpTU III, 104: 12, also 104:25]; parallel for the month Arahsamnu see W 22619/9+ [SpTU III, 105:5, 18].
  • (5) Zodiacal astrology. KI ABSIN a-lid ... "In the area of the Furrow (the child) was born..." [LBAT, 1593 rev. 5′; Reiner 2000]. See also [SpTU I, 96:6; SpTU III, 102:13-14]. In the new edition of BM 46083: DELE ša2 IGI ABSIN 15 SA4 ša2 ABSIN 24 + [x...] "Single (star) in front of the Furrow 15. Bright Star of the Furrow 24 [+x]." [Roughton, Steele, and Walker 563-564]

Deity.

The goddess Šala, probably of Hurrian origin, was considered the consort of Adad, the god of thunder (in other versions – Dagan). She is mentioned in texts dating to Old Babylonian times. Among the known epithets, not a single one indicates an astral meaning [Tallqvist 453]. The symbol on the kudurru – an ear, sometimes next to the symbol of Adad [Seidl 1968 138], or a ram on a plinth with an ear [ibid. 74, 147] (Fig. 48).

Prayers and rituals.
  • The ritual of the "washing of the mouth" (mīs pî) or the "revival" of the statue-deity, see Reiner 1995, 141; Walker and Dick 2001 (= SAALT 1) 72:34; see also (Kurtik a48) AŠ.GAN2.

Symbol.

  • In MUL.APIN I ii 10 is given the identity: "Furrow, goddess Šala, ear".
  • On the Seleucid tablet AO 6448 is depicted a standing female figure in a long garment, draped at the waist, with an ear in her hand, and next to her are symbolic images of Mercury, the Raven and the Snake [Weidner 1924, Taf. 5; 1967, Taf. 10] (fig. 12). This is probably the figure of the constellation mulAB.SIN2. A similar figure is presented on one poorly preserved Seleucid seal impression [Wallenfels 1994 19, No. 107] (Fig. 31).
  • The image of the ear is also found on Seleucid seals from Uruk in combination with other astral symbols (Capricornus, bull) [Wallenfels 1994 19, No. 697-704, 861, 866; App. I 155] (fig. 38). The standing female figure with an ear in her hand – just like the symbol of the Virgin found on Egyptian monuments of late Hellenistic times – is probably of Mesopotamian origin [Kurtik 2002, ill. 5, 7].
  • On the "Planisphere" K 8538, according to Koch's interpretation, the schematic picture of mulAB.SIN2 is given in the 5th sector in the form of a triangle, in which is the inscription BAD BAD [Koch 1989 80-85] (ill. 9).
  • According to D. Foxvog, the text W 22646 contains a list of zodiacal constellation symbols; in it AB.SIN2 (sign of the zodiacal sign Virgo) is put in correspondence with ŠE.BAR "grain" [Foxvog 1993 107; SpTU II, 43:6, 23].

Astrology.

Identifications:
  • (1) = Bow: /DIŠ mulKU6/ ana mulBAN TE ... dGU4.UD ana mulA[B.SIN2] "If the Fish comes close to the Bow ... (it means:) Mercury (approaches) the Furrow" [BPO 2, XVI 17, + Parallels; SAA 8, 325:4-7].
  • (2) = Arrow: DIŠ mulBAN ana mulKAK.SI.SA2 KUR-ud ... dGU4.UD ina ŠA3 mulAB.SIN2 DU-ma "If the Bow reaches the Arrow ... (it means:) Mercury stands inside the Furrow" [BPO 2, XVI 18 + Parallels].
  • (3) = The Field: [SAA 8, 82 r. 8].

See also “The Great Star List”

Predictions:
  • (4) A lunar eclipse within the Furrow:
    • DIŠ ina itiŠE UD.14.KAM AN.MI 30 GAR-ma ... taš-nin-tu4 ina KUR GAL2-ši ina KI MULx(AB2) AB.SIN2 u GENNA BAD.MEŠ "If on the 14th of Adar a lunar eclipse occurs, ... there will be conflict in the country. (If it occurs) in the area of the Furrow and Saturn, (there will be) deaths." [Rochberg-Halton 1988 285: 28-29];
    • [...mulA]B.SIN2 a-dir EŠ.BAR AB.SIN2 AB.SIN2 GUN-ša2 i-ḫar-ra-ar SU.KU2 /ŠE u IN.NU/ "[If the Moon] is eclipsed in the Furrow: decision for the furrow; income from the furrows will decrease, there will be hunger for barley and straw" [Verderame 2002, Table IIa: 3′; Weidner 1963 118, MNB 1849:46].
  • (5) Venus and the Furrow;
    • [DIŠ mulDil-bat ana mulA]B.SIN2 TE-ma me-ḫu-u2 ZI-a na-ram-ti LUGAL [...] "[If Venus] comes close to the [Fu]rrow and a hurricane wind rises: the king's beloved woman ..." [BPO 3 218, K.3601 rev. 26],
    • [DIŠ mulDil-bat ana mulA]B.SIN2 TE-ma IM.Ux.LU DU ŠUB-ti Gu-ti-[i...] "[If Venus] comes close to the [Fu]rrow and the southern wind blows: fall of the Guti..." [ibid., rev. 27],
    • [DIŠ mulDil-bat ana mulA]B.SIN2 TE-ma IM.SI.SA2 DU SAL.UŠ.DAM [...] "[If Venus] comes close to the [Fu]rrow and the northern wind blows: the main wife ..." [ibid., rev 28]; for a parallel see [ibid., ND 4362: 18-20].
  • (6) Uriri and the Furrow: DIŠ U.RI.RI ana AB.SIN2 KU.NU-ma ŠU.BI.AŠ.AM3 "If (the star) Uriri (= comet?) approaches the Furrow: the same will happen (= horse pestilence)" (MUL.APIN II iii 24) [Hunger and Steele 2019, 102].
  • (7) Mercury in the Furrow has great brilliance; see (Kurtik u11) UGA, VI 3.
  • (8) Observations for astrological purposes;
    • mu-ši a-ga-a d30 TUR3 il-ta-mi / mulAB.SIN2 u mulA.EDIN ina ŠA3-bi u2-šu-uz-zu "This night a halo surrounded the moon, the Furrow and Erua stood in it" [SAA 8, 295 r. 1-2];
    • mulUDU.IDIM.GU4.UD ina dUTU.E3 0! / ina qaq-qar mulAB.SIN2 it-tan-mar "Mercury became visible in the east in the area of the Furrow" [SAA 8, 325: 1-2];
    • TUR3 ša2 mulAB.SIN2 / a-na A.AN u A.KAL / ina EN.TE.NA i-lap-pat "A halo of the Furrow foretells rain and flood in the winter season" [SAA 8, 378: 4-r.1];
    • mulDil-bat a-na mulAB!.SIN2 / i-kaš-šad "Venus will reach the Furrow" [SAA 10 224: 10]; for observations of Mars and its approach to the Furrow, see [ibid. 206: 4-9].

Historical Dictionaries

Kurtik (2022, a06+a07) Gössmann (1950, 4)

a07. mulABSIN (353),

вар. чтения: mulKI.AŠ.AŠ, mulKI.DILI.DILI, mulKI.DIDLI, mulKI.DAL; вар. обозначения: ABSIN0(KI); = šersu "Борозда" [AHw 7; CAD Š/2 330; Ungnad 257; Gössmann 1950, 4]. O вероятном переводе ABSIN "Ячменный Стебель" см. [Sachs 1952а 146, note 3]. Созвездие и знак зодиака mulAB.SIN2 "Борозда" (= Дева, Virgo) в поздних астрономических и астрологических текстах. См. также  a06AB.SIN2.

I. Источники.

"Дневники наблюдений". (1) Стандартное обозначение 6-го знака зодиака; самый ранний пример см. [Sachs-Hunger Diaries, No.-463:6-7], но несомненно употреблялось и раньше, поскольку сокращение от ABSIN ― ABSIN0(KI) встречается уже в лунных таблицах, датируемых –474 годом [Aaboe-Sachs 11; Britton 1989 29-31]. (2) Входило в название двух "нормальных звезд": a) DELE ša2 IGI ABSIN "Отдельная (звезда) впереди Борозды" (γ Vir), b) SA4  ša2  ABSIN "(Звезда) с большим блеском Борозды" (α Vir) [Sachs-Hunger Diaries 18 and passim]. Математическая астрономия. ABSIN, ABSIN0 ― обозначения 6-го знака зодиака в эфемеридах [ACT 38, 467]. "Анафора". BM 36609+: … KI ša2 ABSIN [Roughton-Steele-Walker 543, Section 4: obv. ii 19-20]. Поздняя астрология, магия и календарь. (1) Гороскопы: ABSIN — обозначение 6-го знака зодиака [BH, passim]. (2) "Лунарии". а) BRM IV, 20, см. a06AB.SIN2, b) BRM IV, 19: ABSIN — обозначение знака зодиака Борозда (=Дева) в зодиакальной схеме, известной под названием "додекатемория" [Ungnad 274-275: c, l, m, 6, 25, 27; Neugeb.-Sachs 1952-53]. (3) "Микрозодиак". Деление знака зодиака Наемник (=Овен) на 12 частей: a) АО 6483: 6-i-tum Ca.la absin šum3-šu2 "6-я часть, ее имя Борозда" [TU, 14:16; Sachs 1952 66], b) Sp II 202+: 6-tu2 Ca.la ša2 lu absin / ša2 lu "6-я часть  Овна — Борозда Овна" [Schaumberger 1955 245:14-15]. (4) Календарно-ритуальные тексты. W 22704 (рецепт изготовления мази + "додекатемория"): MIN(= ŠU) 12 // KIdidli 24 // ši-gu-šu2 qaqqad(SAG.DU) a-ri-bi u kappi(PA) a-ri-bi MIN(= tapaššaš) "Дуузу 12 // Дева 240 // Муку из šigūšu-ячменя, голову ворона и крыло ворона — ты намазываешь" [SpTU III, 104: 12, а также 104:25]; параллель для месяца арахсамну см. W 22619/9+ [SpTU III, 105:5, 18]. (5) Зодиакальная астрология. KI KI.DAL a-lid … "В области Борозды родился…" [LBAT, 1593 rev. 5′; Reiner 2000]. См. также [SpTU I, 96:6; SpTU III, 102:13-14]. Поздневавилонский каталог BM 46083. a) šur-ši absin 16 "Корень Ячменого Стебля(?):16 (Девы)" (γ Virginis). b) s[a4] ša2(?) absin(?) 28(?) "Блестящая (звезда) Ячменного Стебля (соответствует) 28(?) (Девы)" (α Virginis)  [Sachs 1952a 146:3'; ASM 150]. В новом издании BM 46083: šur-ši PABSINR 15 PSA4 ša2 ABSIN 24R + [x…] "Корень Борозды 15. Блестящая звезда Борозды 24 [+x]" [Roughton-Steele-Walker 563-564].

In den rein astron. Texten der S.Ä. wird zumeist Ki ·AS·AS ( = ABSIN), zuweilen auch bloss Ki (93 (81-7-6) Vs.7.9.; RmIV 397, 10; Epp.Astrono. S.149) geschrieben, und zwar ohne Determinativ {Sp 129, 38; Sp 128, 22; SH 272 ll 7; dagegen AO 6483 Vs16: rnul2Ki ·AŠ·AŠ).

In den früheren astron. sowie in den astrol. Texten wird AB•SiN2 (=ABSIN) geschrieben.

a06. mul AB.SIN2 (137)

= še/irsu "Борозда" [AHw 7; CAD Š/2 330; Gössmann 1950, 4]; созвездие, соответствующее современной Деве (Virgo). См. также a07ABSIN.


I. Источники.

Лексич. тексты. Серия DC XXII: mulab.sin2 = ši-ir-su "Борозда" [SpTU III, 114A v 109]. EAE. См. [Rochberg-Halton 1988 285, BM 47447 r. 29; BPO 2, XVI 17-18; BPO 3, K.35:10, K.3601+: rev. 26-28, K.6021+:6, ND 4362 ii 18-20; Verderame 2002 249; SpTU I, 90 r. 6'; 91:3; 93:7; 94:31; 96:6; SpTU III, 102:12-14]. "Астролябии". Звезды Эа, Ану и Энлиля. Список 12 звезд Ану (№ 9): [mul]ab.sin2 [CT 33, 9 r. 12; Horowitz 1998 176]. "Письма" и "Рапорты". См. [SAA 10, 224:10, 206:9; SAA 8, 82 r. 8, 295 r. 2, 6].325:2, 378:5]. MUL.APIN. (1) Звезды Ану (№ 15): mulAB.SIN2 dŠa-la šu-bu-ul-tu4  "Борозда, богиня Шала, колос" (I ii 10). (2) Даты гелиакических восходов: ina itiKIN UD 25 KAM mulAB.SIN2 IGI "25-го улулу Борозда становится видна" ( I ii 47). (3) Одновременные суточные восходы и заходы: mulKU6 u mulŠU.GI KURmeš-ma  mulAB.SIN2 u mulUR.IDIM ŠU2meš "Рыба и Старик восходят, а Борозда и Бешеный Пес заходят" (I iii 33). (4) Интервалы между датами гелиакических восходов: TA KUR ša2 mulŠU.PA 10 UDmeš ana KUR mulAB.SIN2 / TA KUR ša2 mulAB.SIN2 20 UDmeš ana KUR ša2 mulzi-ba-ni-tu4 "10 дней от восхода Шупы до восхода Борозды. 20 дней от восхода Борозды до восхода Весов" (I iii 36-37). (5) Звезды "на пути Луны": mulAB.SIN2, после mulUR.GU.LA, перед mulZi-ba-ni-tu4 (I iv 35), см. s20Sîn. (6) Астрологические предсказания: звезда U.RI.RI и AB.SIN2 (II iii 24), см. u01U.RI.RI [Hunger and Steele 2019, 33, 43, 52-54, 68, 110]. "Большой список звезд". Соответствия: mulban = mulab.sin2, mulgilim = mulmin, multir.an.na = mulmin, mula-ri-tum = mulmin, mulmar.gid2.da = mul[min], […], где mulmin, по-видимому, = mulab.sin2 [Mesop.Astrol., App. B:41ff.]. GU-текст. (K) mulE4-Pru6R(A.EDIN) kimin mulab.sin2 dŠullat(PA) u Daniš(LUGAL) muludu.idim.gu4.ud / ša2 ana(ŠE3) mu[l]ab.sin2 ina igi muluga gub-zu gu "Эруа (ziqpu XXV: γ Com) или Борозда (α Vir), Шуллат и Ханиш (ε Cen), Меркурий, который с Бороздой перед Вороном стоит, ― веревка" [Pingree-Walker, BM 78161:17-18]; согласно [Koch 1992 58], dŠullat(PA) u Daniš (LUGAL) — β, α Cen; см. также [ASM 92]. Dalbanna-текст. §a. mulab.sin2 "Борозда" (α Vir), см. z07ZI.BA.AN.NA. §v. mulsuCuš ab.sin2 "Основание Борозды" (α Vir), см. L07dLI9.SI4. Текст Nv. 10. mulAB.SIN2 как звезда Ану в месяцы кислиму и тебету (Obv. 6, 10), и как звезда AN.TA.ŠU2.UR.RA в месяце симану (Rev. 31) [Donbaz-Koch 65-66]. Поздняя астрология, магия и календарь.  (1) "Лунарии". BRM IV, 20: ki mulab.sin2, ki muSAA 10[in] "Область Борозды" [Ungnad 258-259: 3, 18], см. также a07ABSIN. (2) "Микрозодиак". Деление знака зодиака Лев на 12 частей в VAT 7847: 2-я часть — mulab.sin2 [Weidner 1967, Taf. 6],  см. также a07ABSIN. (3) "Гипсома". Борозда (=Дева) — гипсома Меркурия, см. g34GU4.UD. (4) Зодиакальная астрология. KI AB.SIN2 ša2 edi(SIG) ni-ziq-tu4 "Область Борозды (= Дева): одиночество, гнев" [SpTU II, 43:23]; параллель: KI ABSIN NI3.TUK ni-ziq-ti "Область Борозды: богатство, гнев" [TU, 14: 23; Sachs 1952 66, 68], см. также [Емельянов 1999 192]. (5) Предсказание цен на злаки на основе наблюдений положений планет относительно зодиакальных созвездий и других явлений (AB.SIN2) [SpTU I, 94:31]. (6) Предсказания, основанные на наблюдениях затмений Луны и положений Луны и планет относительно знаков зодиака. DIŠ 30 ina mulAB.SIN2 AN.MI [GAR-ma…] "Если Луна затмилась в Борозде (= в Деве)…" [Rochberg-Halton 1984 134:10′, 136: rev. 20], см. s20Sîn.

См. также [TCL 6 13: col. ii 21; SpTU II, 42 r. 4].

II. Божество.

Богиня Шала, имеющая, вероятно, хурритское происхождение, считалась супругой бога грозы Адада (по другой версии ― Дагана). Упоминается в текстах со старовавилонского времени. Среди известных эпитетов ни один не указывает на ее астральное значение [Tallqvist 453]. Символ на кудурру ― колос, расположенный иногда рядом с символом Адада [Seidl 1968 138], или баран на цоколе с колосом [ibid.  74, 147] (илл. 48). Молитвы и ритуалы. Ритуал "омовения рта" (mīs pî) или "оживления" статуи-божества, см. a48AŠ.GAN2.

        III. Символ.

В MUL.APIN I ii 10 приведено тождество: "Борозда, богиня Шала, колос". На селевкидской табличке AO 6448 изображена стоящая женская фигура в длинном одеянии, перетянутая в талии, с колосом в руках, рядом ― символические изображения Меркурия, Ворона и Змеи [Weidner 1924, Taf. 5; 1967, Taf. 10] (илл. 12). Вероятно, это и есть фигура созвездия mulAB.SIN2. Похожая фигура представлена на одном плохо сохранившемся селевкидском оттиске геммы [Wallenfels1994 19, No. 107] (илл. 31). Изображение колоса встречается также на селевкидских печатях из Урука в сочетании с другими астральными символами (козерог, бык, месяц) [Wallenfels1994 19, No. 697-704, 861, 866; App. I 155] (илл. 38). Стоящая женская фигура с колосом в руке, как символ Девы встречается на египетских памятниках позднеэллинистического времени и имеет, по-видимому, месопотамское происхождение [Куртик 2002, илл. 5, 7]. На "Планисфере" К 8538, согласно интерпретации Коха, схематическое изображение mulAB.SIN2 приводится в 5-м секторе в виде треугольника, внутри которого надпись BAD BAD [Koch 1989 80-85] (илл. 9). Согласно Д. Фоксвогу, текст W 22646 содержит список символов зодиакальных созвездий; в нем AB.SIN2 (обозначение знака зодиака Дева) поставлено в соответствие ŠE.BAR "зерно" [Foxvog 1993 107; SpTU II, 43:6, 23].

         IV. Отождествление:

= восточная часть созвездия Virgo (без β Vir) [Gössmann 1950, 4];

= Virgo [Weidner 1957-1959 76];

= α + другие звезды Vir [BPO 2 10; МА 138; ASM 272];

= 74, 82, α Vir [Koch 1989 79].

= Virgo [Mesop.Astrol. 207, App. C].

V. Части созвездия и отдельные звезды:

(1) SA4 ša2 ABSIN "Блестящая (звезда) Борозды" (α Vir, Спика);

(2) DELE ša2 IGI ABSIN "Отдельная звезда впереди Борозды" (γ Vir); вар.: e-du ša2 IGI ABSIN [Sachs-Hunger Diaries 54, No. -463 Obv. 6].

Звезды (1) и (2) входили в число "нормальных звезд", см. m39MUL2.ŠID.MEŠ.

(3) mulSUDUŠ AB.SIN "Основание Борозды" (α Vir, Спика), см. Dbn-text (§v) [Walker 1995 40; Koch 1995 50; ASM 110; Sachs-Hunger Diaries 54].

(4) šur-ši absin "Корень Ячменного стебля" (γ Virginis), см. [Sachs 1952a 146; ASM 150].

VI. Астрология.

Отождествления:

(1) = Лук; PDIŠ mulKU6R ana mulBAN TE … dGU4.UD ana mulA[B.SIN2] "Если Рыба приближается к Луку … (это означает:) Меркурий (подходит) к Борозде" [BPO 2, XVI 17, + Parallels; SAA 8 325:4-7].

(2) = Стрела; DIŠ mulBAN ana mulKAK.SI.SA2 KUR-ud … dGU4.UD  ina ŠA3 mulAB.SIN2 DU-ma "Если Лук достигает Стрелы … (это означает:) Меркурий стоит в пределах Борозды" [BPO 2, XVI 18 + Parallels].

(3) = Поле; см. [SAA 8 82 r. 8].

См. также "Большой список звезд".

Предсказания:

(4) Лунное затмение в Борозде; DIŠ ina itiŠE UD.14.KAM AN.MI 30 GAR-ma …taš-nin-tu4 ina KUR GAL2-ši ina KI AB.SIN2 u GENNA BAD.MEŠ "Если 14-го аддару происходит лунное затмение, … в стране будет конфликт. (Если оно происходит) в пределах Борозды и Сатурна, (будет) чума" [Rochberg-Halton 1988 285: 28-29]; […mulA]B.SIN2 a-dir EŠ.BAR AB.SIN2 AB.SIN2 GUN-ša2 i-Car-ra-ar SU.KU2 ŠE u PIN.NUR "[Если Луна] затмилась в Борозде: решение для борозды; доход от борозды уменьшится, голод на ячмень и солому" [Verderame 2002, Table IIa: 3′; Weidner 1963 118, MNB 1849:46].

(5) Венера и Борозда; [DIŠ mulDil-bat ana mulA]B.SIN2 TE-ma me-Cu-u2 ZI-a na-ram-ti LUGAL […] "[Если Венера] близко подходит к [Бо]розде и ураганный ветер поднимается: любимая женщина царя …" [BPO 3 218, K.3601 rev. 26], [DIŠ mulDil-bat ana mulA]B.SIN2 TE-ma IM.Ux.LU DU ŠUB-ti Gu-ti-[i…] "[Если Венера] близко подходит к [Бо]розде и южный ветер дует: падение гутиев…" [ibid., rev. 27], [DIŠ mulDil-bat ana mulA]B.SIN2 TE-ma IM.SI.SA2 DU SAL.UŠ.DAM […] "[Если Венера] близко подходит к [Бо]розде и северный ветер дует: главная жена …" [ibid., rev 28]; параллель см. [ibid., ND4362: 18-20].

(6) Урири и Борозда; DIŠ U.RI.RI ana AB.SIN2 KU.NU-ma ŠU.BI.AŠ.AM3 "Если звезда Урири (= комета?) приближается к Борозде: (произойдет) то же самое (= лошадиный мор)" (MUL.APIN II iii 24) [Hunger and Steele 2019, 110].

(7) Меркурий в Борозде имеет большой блеск; см. u11UGA, VI 3.

(8) Наблюдения в астрологических целях; mu-ši a-ga-a d30 TUR3 il-ta-mi / mulAB.SIN2  u mulA.EDIN ina ŠA3-bi u2-šu-uz-zu "Этой ночью гало окружало Луну, Борозда и Эруа стояли в нем" [SAA 8, 295 r. 1-2]; mulUDU.IDIM.GUD.UD ina dUTU.E3 0! / ina qaq-qar mulAB.SIN2 it-tan-mar "Меркурий стал виден на востоке в пределах Борозды" [SAA 8, 325: 1-2]; TUR3 ša2 mulAB.SIN2 / a-na A.AN u A.KAL / ina EN.TE.NA i-lap-pat "Гало (вокруг Луны в пределах) Борозды предвещает дождь и наводнение зимой" [SAA 8, 378: 4-r.1]; mulDil-bat a-na mulAB!.SIN2 / i-kaš-šad "Венера достигнет (пределов) Борозды" [SAA 10 224: 10]; наблюдение Марса, приближающегося к Борозде, см. [ibid. 206: 4-9].

Example

Transformation of the Constellations

References

  1. Planetarium Babylonicum 2.0, All Skies Encyclopaedia.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Hoffmann, S. M. and Krebernik, M. (2023). What do deities tell us about the celestial positioning system, in: R. Rollinger, I. Madreiter, M. Lang, C. Pappi (eds.). The Intellectual Heritage of the Ancient Near East, Papers held at the 64th Rencontre Assyriologique International and 12th Melammu Symposium July 16-20 2018, Innsbruck. Austrian Academy of Sciences Press, 539-579