SAR.A
Authors: Gennady E. Kurtik, David Hilder, Wayne Horowitz, Susanne M Hoffmann, Jan Safford, Euin Choung Kim
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 NI 265-268), cf. SAR = niphu (CAD NII 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.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[1]
[Gössman 1950[2], 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.[3], 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]. | Example |
References
- ↑ Planetarium Babylonicum 2.0, All Skies Encyclopaedia.
- ↑ Gössmann P.F. Planetarium Babylonicum, Rom, 1950 (A. Deimel. Šumerisches Lexikon 4/2).
- ↑ Ch. Virolleaud, L'astrologie chaldéenne S(in); Shamasz; Isht(ar); Adad; S/Supp. = Supplément; SS / 2.Supp. = Second Supplément (Paris 1905 - 1912)
