Šumma ālu

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Šumma ālu ina mēlê šakin is the title for a series of a collected number of cuneiform texts of ancient Mesopotamia amounting to one hundred and twenty clay tablets.[1]

The title translates as If a City is Situated on a Height, and it lists over ten thousand omens.[1]

Many of the omens listed in this group begin with the words "Šumma ina āli ma'du (kind of people)," as in, "if there are too many kinds of people," and the omens in this group then proceed with a description of misfortune or negative occurrence.[2]

Similarities are recognised within the nature of the series and in other types of works that are concerned with hemerology and menology.[3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Nils P. Heeßel (1999–2015). "Šumma ālu". The Encyclopedia of Ancient History. John Wiley & Sons. doi:10.1002/9781444338386.wbeah21308. ISBN 9781444338386.
  2. ^ Jonathan Stökl - Prophecy in the Ancient Near East: A Philological and Sociological Comparison BRILL, 18 Apr 2012, 297 pages, ISBN 9004229922 Volume 56 of Culture and History of the Ancient Near East [Retrieved 2015-06-10]
  3. ^ Erlend Gehlken (editor) - Weather Omens of Enūma Anu Enlil: Thunderstorms, Wind and Rain (Tablets 44–49) (p.5) BRILL, 3 Aug 2012, 338 pages, ISBN 9004225889 Volume 43 of Cuneiform Monographs [Retrieved 2015-06-10]

External links[edit]