ÇİVİ YAZILI METİNLERE GÖRE MEZOPOTAMYA’DA HAYVANLAR ARASINDA GÖRÜLEN SALGINLAR

Abstract

Bu makale, Mezopotamya kaynaklarında hayvanlar arasında görülen salgın hastalıkların algılanışını ve tanımlanışını incelemektedir. Eskiçağda salgınlar tanrısal bir ceza olarak görülmüş; astrolojik gözlemler (Mars-Nergal ilişkisi) ve karaciğer falları bu felaketleri öngörmek için temel araçlar olarak kullanılmıştır. Salgınların etkisini bertaraf etmek amacıyla kâhinler tarafından namburbû gibi dini ritüeller düzenlenmiştir. Hukuki düzlemde ise Hammurabi Kanunları, salgınları tanrısal kaynaklı kabul ederek çobanları sorumluluktan muaf tutmuştur. Çivi yazılı belgeler ayrıca hasta hayvanların tecridine dayanan erken bir karantina anlayışına, hastalıklı etlerin tüketilmemesi gerektiğine ve bitkisel tedavi yöntemlerine işaret etmektedir. Sonuç olarak çalışma, Mezopotamya toplumlarının hayvanlarda görülen salgınlarla mücadelede dini, hukuki ve pratik yöntemleri bütünleşik bir modelle uyguladığını ortaya koymaktadır.

Keywords

• Mezopotamya
• Hayvanlardaki Salgınlar
• Hastalıklar
• Kehanetler

Epidemics among Animals in Mesopotamia According to Cuneiform Texts

Abstract

This article examines the perception and definition of epidemic diseases among animals in Mesopotamian sources. In antiquity, epidemics were regarded as manifestations of divine wrath; thus, astrological observations (specifically the Mars-Nergal relationship) and liver omens (hepatoscopy) were utilized as primary tools to predict these calamities. To avert or mitigate the impact of such diseases, religious rituals, most notably the namburbû, were performed by diviners. On a legal level, the Code of Hammurabi categorized epidemics as being of divine origin, thereby exempting herdsmen from liability for related animal losses. Furthermore, cuneiform documents point to an early understanding of quarantine based on the isolation of sick animals, warnings against the consumption of diseased meat, and the application of various herbal treatment methods. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that Mesopotamian societies used a combination of religious, legal, and practical methods to fight animal diseases.

Keywords

• Mesopotamia
• Animal Epidemics
• Diseases
• Prophecies

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