Abstract
Ancient societies, in order to record natural phenomena and social events, observed the motions of the celestial bodies. The Anatolian Hittites followed this tradition which they inherited from Mesopotamian culture. They developed certain ideas to explain the natural phenomena they could not fully comprehend. They observed the various natural phenomena including celestial bodies which they believed to reflect the ‘opinions’ of the Gods.
The primary sources providing information on the Hittite astrology are the texts on fortune telling and the feast rituals inscribed on the clay tablets excavated at Hattusha, the capital city of the Hittites in Asia Minor. These cuneiform tablets contain astrological omens of Mesopotamian origin regarding the Moon, the Sun and the stars. Celestial observations were important for the Hittites, and they regarded their celestial observations as messages sent by the Gods. The astrological tablets witness that Hittites studied solar and lunar eclipses and interpreted these celestial events as connected to the future of their land and society. Despite the lack of sufficient information on the Hittite calendar, it has been established that it is generally in compliance with those used in Mesopotamia. The Hittite lunar calendar was closely related with seasonal changes and the agricultural life.
References
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Abstract
Ancient societies, in order to record natural phenomena and social events,
observed the motions of the celestial bodies. The Anatolian Hittites followed this
tradition which they inherited from Mesopotamian culture. They developed
certain ideas to explain the natural phenomena they could not fully comprehend.
They observed the various natural phenomena including celestial bodies which
they believed to reflect the ‘opinions’ of the Gods.
The primary sources providing information on the Hittite astrology are the texts
on fortune telling and the feast rituals inscribed on the clay tablets excavated at
Hattusha, the capital city of the Hittites in Asia Minor. These cuneiform tablets
contain astrological omens of Mesopotamian origin regarding the Moon, the Sun
and the stars. Celestial observations were important for the Hittites, and they
regarded their celestial observations as messages sent by the Gods. The
astrological tablets witness that Hittites studied solar and lunar eclipses and
interpreted these celestial events as connected to the future of their land and
society. Despite the lack of sufficient information on the Hittite calendar, it has
been established that it is generally in compliance with those used in
Mesopotamia. The Hittite lunar calendar was closely related with seasonal
changes and the agricultural life.
References
- -
Details
| Primary Language | Turkish |
|---|---|
| Journal Section | Research Articles |
| Authors | |
| Publication Date | June 1, 2008 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2008 Atilla Bir Armağanı Cilt: 9 Sayı: 1-2 |
