One God Was Seen With The Other
Content last updated: 11th December 2023 16:59 (UTC)What does this mean?
The expression "one god was seen with the other" is only found in VAT 4956 and one other diary dated to 652 BC.
Abraham Sachs suggests the expression "refers to sun and moon in opposition" - Astronomical Diaries and related texts from Babylonia. Volume 1. completed and edited by Hermann Hunger (1988).
Mathieu Ossendrijver suggests similarly that it's a "technical term for Full Moon, i.e. opposition of Moon and Sun". - Translating Babylonian Astronomical Diaries and
Procedure Texts (2016).
Below are images of the two examples from -651
Month I day 14 - "The 14th, one god was seen with the other."
Actual full moon BC 652 Apr 5 19:37
Month XII day 15 - "The 15th, one god was seen with the other."
Actual full moon BC 651 Feb 24 18:46
On both occasions in 652 BC both the sun and moon could be viewed at the same time from a good vantage point. To the observer they would appear opposite each other. This would happen near the end of the day before sunset.
What happened in 588BC
Much has changed in Babylon since 652 BC, Nebuchadnezzar is credited with fortifying the city with impressive walls. The images below support the view that these walls affected astronomical observations.
Month I day 14 - "On the 14th, one god was seen with the other;"
Actual full moon BC 588 May 17 16:00(UTC+3)
Month I day 14
Month III day 15 - "The 15th, one god was seen with the other; "
Actual full moon BC 588 Jul 15 08:40(UTC+3)
Month III day 14
Month III day 15
Month XII day 12 - "The 12th, one god was seen with the other,"
Actual full moon BC 587 Apr 7 09:50(UTC+3)
Month XII day 12
What happened in 568BC
Month I day 14 - "On the 14th, one god was seen with the other;"
Actual full moon BC 568 May 6 08:12(UTC+3)
Month I day 14
Month III day 15 - "The 15th, one god was seen with the other; "
Actual full moon BC 568 Jul 4 13:54(UTC+3)
Month III day 13
Month III day 14 - Moons geometric altitude: -02°55'44.1"
Month III day 15 - Moons geometric altitude: -12°55'21.7"
Month XII day 12 - "The 12th, one god was seen with the other,"
Actual full moon BC 567 Mar 26 21:23(UTC+3)
Month XII day 12
In "The Reports of the Magicians and Astrologers of Nineveh and Babylon" - R Campbell Thompson (1900) There are nearly 50 omens associated with the moon and sun being visible together from the 12th - 16th day. Other than the two astronomical diaries considered here, all the other diaries are from the Persian period and later, none of them include any references to the sun and moon being seen together. Are these two diaries examples of a mix between astrological and astronomical?
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