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Journals / Kayseri Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 8 Sayı: 1

If Jupiter becomes steady: Some comments on celestial omens concerning Jupiter/Marduk according to cuneiform tablets

Eğer Jüpiter sabit durursa: Çivi yazılı tabletlere göre Jüpiter/Marduk ile ilgili göksel kehanetler üzerine bazı yorumlar

Harun Duman(Kayseri Üniversitesi)0000-0002-9477-8248
Pages
63–83
Publication Date
2026-06-30
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Although the fragmented condition of the cuneiform tablets and the complex nature of the omen texts posed certain challenges, familiarity with ancient Mesopotamian history, culture, and religion, alongside basic astronomical knowledge, facilitated a clearer understanding of the material.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This work is a reasearch article that highlights the importance of planet Jupiter in ancient Mesopotamian astronomy and astrology and provides an in-depth interpretation of omens related to this planet.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Studies have generally approached the omen series from the point of view of astronomical science and have not focused much on what the omens actually meant.
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Conclusion & Impact:Although the fragmented condition of the cuneiform tablets and the complex nature of the omen texts posed certain challenges, familiarity with ancient Mesopotamian history, culture, and religion, alongside basic astronomical knowledge, facilitated a clearer understanding of the material.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Jüpiter · Marduk · Kehanet

Abstract

This work is a reasearch article that highlights the importance of planet Jupiter in ancient Mesopotamian astronomy and astrology and provides an in-depth interpretation of omens related to this planet. Studies have generally approached the omen series from the point of view of astronomical science and have not focused much on what the omens actually meant. The omens sampled in this study are analyzed in detail and different information about ancient Mesopotamia is obtained. Jupiter is regarded as the largest planet by the ancient Mesopotamians and referred to as King Star, associated with the god Marduk, a figure of central importance in Mesopotamian belief systems. The movements of Jupiter were carefully observed by diviners, and omens were formulated accordingly. While the steady position of Jupiter was interpreted as favorable, its appearance in the same omen as a malefic planet was generally considered unfavorable. In addition to these interpretations, Jupiter’s movements were also used in relation to issues such as participation in military campaigns, regulation of market commodities, weather forecasting, and omens based on the planet’s color. These interpretations were recorded in a comprehensive series of celestial omens known as Enūma Anu Enlil. Comprising more than seven thousand omens, this series made a substantial contribution to the development of astronomical knowledge and has survived to the present day. Although the fragmented condition of the cuneiform tablets and the complex nature of the omen texts posed certain challenges, familiarity with ancient Mesopotamian history, culture, and religion, alongside basic astronomical knowledge, facilitated a clearer understanding of the material.

Özet

Bu çalışma, antik Mezopotamya astronomisinde ve astrolojisinde Jüpiter gezegeninin önemini ortaya çıkaran ve bu gezegen ile ilgili kehanetlere derinlemesine yorum getiren bir araştırma makalesidir. Yapılan çalışmalarda genellikle kehanet serilerine astronomi bilimi açısından yaklaşılmış ve kehanetlerde aslında ne denmek istendiği üzerinde çok durulmamıştır. Bu çalışmada örnek alınan kehanetler detaylı şekilde incelenmiş ve antik Mezopotamya hakkında farklı bilgilere ulaşılmıştır. Antik Mezopotamyalıların gözünde en büyük gezegen olarak görülen ve kral yıldızı olarak isimlendirilen Jüpiter, dönemin insanı için büyük önem teşkil eden tanrı Marduk ile özdeşleştirilmiştir. Jüpiter’in hareketleri kâhinler tarafından gözlemlenmiş ve buna göre kehanette bulunulmuştur. Buna göre Jüpiter’in sabit durması iyi sonuçlar doğururken, kötücül bir gezegen ile aynı kehanette olması da kötü olarak yorumlanmıştır. Buna ek olarak bir sefere daha fazla katılım sağlamak, piyasa malları üzerinde kontrol sağlamak, hava durumu tahminleri yapmak ve Jüpiter’in rengine göre kehanette bulunmak gibi kullanımlar da mevcuttur. Antik Mezopotamyalılar, bu kehanetleri Enūma Anu Enlil adlı göksel kehanet serisine kaydetmişlerdir. Bu seri yedi binden fazla kehanet içermekle birlikte astronominin gelişimine önemli katkılarda bulunmuş ve günümüze kadar ulaşmıştır. Kehanetlerin karmaşık yapısı ve çivi yazılı tabletlerin kırık bölümleri bu çalışmayı zorlaştırsa da astronomi bilgisine ek olarak antik Mezopotamya tarihine, kültürüne ve dinine hâkim olmak biraz da olsa çalışmayı daha anlaşılır hale getirmiştir.

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Cite This Article

Duman, H. (2026). If Jupiter becomes steady: Some comments on celestial omens concerning Jupiter/Marduk according to cuneiform tablets. Kayseri Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, Cilt: 8 Sayı: 1, 63–83. https://doi.org/10.51177/kayusosder.1751457

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