SAR.A

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

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^mulSAR.A (𒀯𒊬𒀀) occurs in only one source, the commentary cited below, here always with the sign SAR resumed by vowel 'A.' This suggests that the reading of SAR should end with a vowel, allowing for the relatively common reading of the sign as mu₂ which has the sense of the Akkadian napāhu, 'to light up, to shine' in astronomical contexts (CAD N_I 265-268), cf. SAR = niphu (CAD N_II 243).

Yet, in the commentary, the opposite seems to be the case:

• ^mulSAR.A = unnutu, 'weak, faint, dim.'

Given the commentary's interest in Jupiter, we suggest that ^mulSAR.A (= unnutu) is understood here as Jupiter when it is dim, as is the case with numerous examples of Jupiter and other asterisms as a 'faint, dim' (unnutu in CAD U/W 166). This understanding seems to offer contrast to Jupiter as a 'MUL.^(d)GAL,' big-star, i.e. luminous asterism in this same citation. This apparent contradiction mu₂ for brightness and unnutu for dimness, is most likely what prompted the need for the commentary in the first place. Hence an argument can be made that ^mulSAR.A should be read MUL MÚ-a, 'a/the dim/faint star,' i.e. noun plus adjective and should not be considered to be a name of any specific celestial object, but a category of possible objects defined by greater or lesser luminosity.

Concordance, Etymology, History

[Gössman 1950, 339].

The name occurs only in the text of astrological commentaries:

• MUL.GAL: ^mulSAG.ME.GAR ina ^mulSAR.A: ^dBAD ^dSAG.ME.GAR-ma / [x] ša₂ KA ummiāni(UM.MI₃.A) MIN e-ma-a MUL.GAL: MUL.GAL u ^mulSAR.A: MUL un-nu-tu₂ / ˹u₃˺-lu TA ŠA₃ MUL Ra-be₂-e lu TA ŠA₃ <MUL> TUR SUR-ma
• "Big star = Jupiter (located) in ^mulSAR. A = Enlil(?) (and) Jupiter / (Comment) [x] from an expert: when (specified) Big Star, (it should be understood as) Big Star and ^mulSAR.A, which is equivalent to a dim star erupting from a Big Star or from a Small (star)" [ACh Suppl., 54:16-18].

Historical Dictionaries

Kurtik (2022, s13)

Gössmann (1950)

[Gössman 1950, 339]. Название встречается только в тексте астрологических комментариев: MUL.GAL : mulSAG.ME.GAR ina mulSAR.A : dBAD dSAG.ME.GAR-ma / [x] ša2 KA ummiāni(UM.MI3.A) MIN e-ma-a MUL.GAL : MUL.GAL u mulSAR.A : MUL  un-nu-tu2 / ˹u3˺-lu TA ŠA3 MUL Ra-be2-e lu TA ŠA3 <MUL> TUR SUR-ma «Большая звезда = Юпитер (находящийся) в mulSAR.A = Энлиль(?) (и) Юпитер / (Комментарий) [x] из уст эксперта: когда (указана) Большая звезда, (это следует понимать как) Большая звезда и mulSAR.A, что равносильно тусклой звезде, вспыхивающей из Большой звезды или из Малой (звезды)» [ACh Suppl., 54:16–18].

References

• Kurtik's references