Research Article

If Jupiter becomes steady: Some comments on celestial omens concerning Jupiter/Marduk according to cuneiform tablets

Volume: 8 Number: 1 June 30, 2026
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If Jupiter becomes steady: Some comments on celestial omens concerning Jupiter/Marduk according to cuneiform tablets

Abstract

This work is a reasearch article that highlights the importance of planet Jupiter in ancient Mesopotamian astronomy and astrology and provides an in-depth interpretation of omens related to this planet. Studies have generally approached the omen series from the point of view of astronomical science and have not focused much on what the omens actually meant. The omens sampled in this study are analyzed in detail and different information about ancient Mesopotamia is obtained. Jupiter is regarded as the largest planet by the ancient Mesopotamians and referred to as King Star, associated with the god Marduk, a figure of central importance in Mesopotamian belief systems. The movements of Jupiter were carefully observed by diviners, and omens were formulated accordingly. While the steady position of Jupiter was interpreted as favorable, its appearance in the same omen as a malefic planet was generally considered unfavorable. In addition to these interpretations, Jupiter’s movements were also used in relation to issues such as participation in military campaigns, regulation of market commodities, weather forecasting, and omens based on the planet’s color. These interpretations were recorded in a comprehensive series of celestial omens known as Enūma Anu Enlil. Comprising more than seven thousand omens, this series made a substantial contribution to the development of astronomical knowledge and has survived to the present day. Although the fragmented condition of the cuneiform tablets and the complex nature of the omen texts posed certain challenges, familiarity with ancient Mesopotamian history, culture, and religion, alongside basic astronomical knowledge, facilitated a clearer understanding of the material.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

General Turkish History (Other), Islamic Studies (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

July 26, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 14, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 1

APA
Duman, H. (2026). If Jupiter becomes steady: Some comments on celestial omens concerning Jupiter/Marduk according to cuneiform tablets. Kayseri Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 8(1), 63-83. https://doi.org/10.51177/kayusosder.1751457
AMA
1.Duman H. If Jupiter becomes steady: Some comments on celestial omens concerning Jupiter/Marduk according to cuneiform tablets. Kayseri Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi. 2026;8(1):63-83. doi:10.51177/kayusosder.1751457
Chicago
Duman, Harun. 2026. “If Jupiter Becomes Steady: Some Comments on Celestial Omens Concerning Jupiter Marduk According to Cuneiform Tablets”. Kayseri Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 8 (1): 63-83. https://doi.org/10.51177/kayusosder.1751457.
EndNote
Duman H (June 1, 2026) If Jupiter becomes steady: Some comments on celestial omens concerning Jupiter/Marduk according to cuneiform tablets. Kayseri Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 8 1 63–83.
IEEE
[1]H. Duman, “If Jupiter becomes steady: Some comments on celestial omens concerning Jupiter/Marduk according to cuneiform tablets”, Kayseri Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 63–83, June 2026, doi: 10.51177/kayusosder.1751457.
ISNAD
Duman, Harun. “If Jupiter Becomes Steady: Some Comments on Celestial Omens Concerning Jupiter Marduk According to Cuneiform Tablets”. Kayseri Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 8/1 (June 1, 2026): 63-83. https://doi.org/10.51177/kayusosder.1751457.
JAMA
1.Duman H. If Jupiter becomes steady: Some comments on celestial omens concerning Jupiter/Marduk according to cuneiform tablets. Kayseri Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi. 2026;8:63–83.
MLA
Duman, Harun. “If Jupiter Becomes Steady: Some Comments on Celestial Omens Concerning Jupiter Marduk According to Cuneiform Tablets”. Kayseri Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, vol. 8, no. 1, June 2026, pp. 63-83, doi:10.51177/kayusosder.1751457.
Vancouver
1.Harun Duman. If Jupiter becomes steady: Some comments on celestial omens concerning Jupiter/Marduk according to cuneiform tablets. Kayseri Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi. 2026 Jun. 1;8(1):63-8. doi:10.51177/kayusosder.1751457

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