wards gathering as many observations of phenomena
as possible. They would rest content when they had found a single
connection between the phenomenon and the event. Their success in giving
an answer to a question put to them as to what might happen on a certain
day, fixed for battle or for laying the foundations of an edifice, or
for dedicating a temple, for setting out on an expedition, or for any
undertaking whatsoever, would depend on the completeness of their lists,
and correspondingly the interpretation of a phenomenon occurring on any
day would entail no difficulties if in their consultation lists the
phenomenon would be recorded.

The 22d tablet of the series 'Illumination of Bel' deals with the
important subject of eclipses. It contains 88 lines, and furnishes us
with a good specimen of the class of omens under consideration. It
begins[579] with eclipses that may take place during the first month,
and runs along through the twelve months of the year. The 14th, 15th,
16th, 20th, and 21st days of the month are those set down when eclipses
have been observed. The official character of the omens is indicated by
their repeated references to the nations with which Babylonia--and later
Assyria--came into contact, and to the fate in store for the rulers of
the country. For the third month, the tablet notes:

In the month of Sivan, an eclipse happening on the 14th day,
proceeding from east to west, beginning with the middle
watch,[580] and ending with the morning watch, the shadow being
seen in the east--the side of obscuration--furnishes an
omen[581] for the king of Dilmun.[582] The king of Dilmun is
slain.

An eclipse happening on the 15th day, the king of Dilmun is
slain, and some one seizes the throne.

An eclipse happening on the 16th day, the king is deposed and
slain, and a worthless person seizes the throne.

An eclipse happening on the 20th day, rains descend from heaven,
and the canals are flooded.

An eclipse happening on the 21st day, sorrow and despair in the
land. The land is full of corpses.

The eclipses for the fourth month furnish omens for the king of
Guti--another district with which Babylonia and Assyria had frequent
dealings.

An eclipse happening in the month of Tammuz on the 14th day,
proceeding from the west to the south, beginning with the first
watch and ending with the middle watch, the shadow being seen in
the