Assyrian eclipse
Encyclopedia
The Assyrian eclipse is also known as Bur-Sagale (Bur-Saggile, Pur-Sagale or Par-Sagale) eclipse. It was recorded in Assyria
n eponym list
s, most likely in the 9th year of king Ashur-dan III
. The actual short entry reads as follows:
The phrase used – shamash ("the sun") akallu ("bent", "twisted", "crooked", "distorted", "obscured") – has been interpreted since the mid-19th century as a reference to a solar eclipse
. In 1867, Henry Rawlinson decided that the most likely match was the nearly total eclipse
of June 15, 763 BC, and this date has been widely accepted ever since. It is regarded to be the most crucial point of reference for providing exact dates of Assyrian chronology before the seventh century BC. (However, the original record does not contain any detail of the observation. It may have been observed anywhere in Assyria, not necessarily in Assur or Nineveh.)
, arguing that the Babylonians never started their new year
before the vernal equinox. Simanu is the third month of the Babylonian year.
The mainstream view is that the beginning of the Babylonian year was not determined by observing the equinox, but by observing the appearance of certain constellations.
In an article published in 2000 Manuel Gerber examines in detail the beginning of the Babylonian New Year in the eighth, seventh, and sixth centuries BC. His analysis of 101 New Year's dates between 748 and 539 BC shows that the dates of the New Year shifted. In the eighth century it often began before the vernal equinox. He says that the "commonly held view" was that "the aimed-for beginning of the Babylonian year in the eighth century fell about two weeks before the equinox." During the reign of Nabopolassar
(625-605 BC) there was a shift to about ten days after the equinox, although there were still years when the New Year began before the equinox. Gerber concludes:
"In summary, the situation in Babylonia before the last third of the eighth century seems to agree with the statement in MUL.APIN (Hunger and Pingree 1989) that the vernal equinox fell on Nisan 15. Probably around 730 the aimed-for beginning of the Babylonian year was shifted some two weeks upwards in relation to the solar year, so the average New Year's Day fell shortly before the vernal equinox. This holds true for the entire seventh century. Only around 600 did a second shift occur, which pushed the average beginning of the year to about two weeks after the vernal equinox (figure 4B)."
That the Eponym Canon solar eclipse is correctly identified with the total solar eclipse that occurred in 763 BC is confirmed by other astronomical observations from the same period. This has been demonstrated by Professor Hermann Hunger, a leading authority on the Babylonian and Assyrian astronomical cuneiform tablets. An English translation of his discussion is available on the web.
Assyria
Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur...
n eponym list
Eponym list
The Eponym dating system was a calendar system for Assyria, for a period of over one thousand years. Every year was associated with the name, an eponym, of the Limmu, the individual holding office....
s, most likely in the 9th year of king Ashur-dan III
Ashur-dan III
Ashur-dan III was King of Assyria from 773 to 755 BC.Ashur-dan III was the son of Adad-nirari III, and succeeded his brother Shalmaneser IV in 773 BC. Ashur-dan's reign was a difficult age for the Assyrian monarchy. The rulership was severely limited by the influence of court dignitaries,...
. The actual short entry reads as follows:
- Bur-Sagale of Guzana, revolt in the city of Assur. In the month Simanu an eclipse of the sun took place.
The phrase used – shamash ("the sun") akallu ("bent", "twisted", "crooked", "distorted", "obscured") – has been interpreted since the mid-19th century as a reference to a solar eclipse
Solar eclipse
As seen from the Earth, a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks the Sun as viewed from a location on Earth. This can happen only during a new moon, when the Sun and the Moon are in conjunction as seen from Earth. At least...
. In 1867, Henry Rawlinson decided that the most likely match was the nearly total eclipse
Total Eclipse
A total eclipse is an eclipse where either the Sun is entirely covered by the Moon, or the Earth's shadow entirely covers the Moon.Total Eclipse may also refer to:-Music:* Total Eclipse , a Goa trance music group...
of June 15, 763 BC, and this date has been widely accepted ever since. It is regarded to be the most crucial point of reference for providing exact dates of Assyrian chronology before the seventh century BC. (However, the original record does not contain any detail of the observation. It may have been observed anywhere in Assyria, not necessarily in Assur or Nineveh.)
Revisionist theories: Inconsistency with the Babylonian calendar
There are claims that the date June 15, 763 BC is inconsistent with the Babylonian calendarBabylonian calendar
The Babylonian calendar was a lunisolar calendar with years consisting of 12 lunar months, each beginning when a new crescent moon was first sighted low on the western horizon at sunset, plus an intercalary month inserted as needed by decree. The calendar is based on a Sumerian precedecessor...
, arguing that the Babylonians never started their new year
New Year
The New Year is the day that marks the time of the beginning of a new calendar year, and is the day on which the year count of the specific calendar used is incremented. For many cultures, the event is celebrated in some manner....
before the vernal equinox. Simanu is the third month of the Babylonian year.
The mainstream view is that the beginning of the Babylonian year was not determined by observing the equinox, but by observing the appearance of certain constellations.
In an article published in 2000 Manuel Gerber examines in detail the beginning of the Babylonian New Year in the eighth, seventh, and sixth centuries BC. His analysis of 101 New Year's dates between 748 and 539 BC shows that the dates of the New Year shifted. In the eighth century it often began before the vernal equinox. He says that the "commonly held view" was that "the aimed-for beginning of the Babylonian year in the eighth century fell about two weeks before the equinox." During the reign of Nabopolassar
Nabopolassar
Nabopolassar was the king of the Babylonia and played a key role in the demise of the Assyrian Empire following the death of the last powerful Assyrian king, Ashurbanipal...
(625-605 BC) there was a shift to about ten days after the equinox, although there were still years when the New Year began before the equinox. Gerber concludes:
"In summary, the situation in Babylonia before the last third of the eighth century seems to agree with the statement in MUL.APIN (Hunger and Pingree 1989) that the vernal equinox fell on Nisan 15. Probably around 730 the aimed-for beginning of the Babylonian year was shifted some two weeks upwards in relation to the solar year, so the average New Year's Day fell shortly before the vernal equinox. This holds true for the entire seventh century. Only around 600 did a second shift occur, which pushed the average beginning of the year to about two weeks after the vernal equinox (figure 4B)."
That the Eponym Canon solar eclipse is correctly identified with the total solar eclipse that occurred in 763 BC is confirmed by other astronomical observations from the same period. This has been demonstrated by Professor Hermann Hunger, a leading authority on the Babylonian and Assyrian astronomical cuneiform tablets. An English translation of his discussion is available on the web.
See also
- Chronology of the ancient Near EastChronology of the ancient Near EastThe chronology of the Ancient Near East provides a framework of dates for various events, rulers and dynasties. Individual inscriptions and texts customarily record events in terms of a succession of officials or rulers, taking forms like "in the year X of king Y". Thus by piecing together many...
- AkituAkituAkitu was a spring festival in ancient Mesopotamia....
- Historical astronomyHistorical astronomyHistorical astronomy is the science of analysing historic astronomical data. The American Astronomical Society , established 1899, states that its Historical Astronomy Division "...shall exist for the purpose of advancing interest in topics relating to the historical nature of astronomy...
- Battle of HalysBattle of HalysThe Battle of Halys, also known as the Battle of the Eclipse, took place at the river Halys on May 28, 585 BC between the Medes and the Lydians...
- Mursili's eclipseMursili's eclipseThe solar eclipse mentioned in a text dating to the reign of Mursili II could be of great importance for the absolute chronology of the Hittite Empire within the chronology of the Ancient Near East....
External links
- Path map of eclipses 780 BCE - 761 BCE (NASA) - Includes total eclipse of June 15, 763 BC (labeled -0762 June 15)
- Path map of eclipses 800 BCE - 781 BCE (NASA) - Includes annular eclipse of June 24, 791 BC (labeled -0790 June 24)
