s prescribed.

A curious feature of this calendar was that, since it was the hope to
make every day 'favorable,' each day was called so, even when it is
evident that it was not.

For the 1st day of Elul the second,[609] sacred to Anu and Bel,
a favorable day. When the moon makes its appearance in this
month, the king of many peoples brings his gift, a gazelle
together with fruit, ... his gift to Shamash, lord of the
countries, and to Sin, the great god, he gives. Sacrifices he
offers, and his prayer to his god[610] is acceptable.

On the 2d day sacred to goddesses, a favorable day. The king
brings his gift to Shamash, the lord[611] of countries. To Sin,
the great god, he offers sacrifices. His prayer to the god is
acceptable.

On the 3d day, a day of supplication to Marduk and Sarpanitum, a
favorable day. At night, in the presence of Marduk and
Ishtar,[612] the king brings his gift. Sacrifices he is to offer
so that his prayer may be acceptable.

On the 6th day, sacred to Ramman and Belit,[613] a favorable
day. The king, with prayer and supplication (?), at night in the
presence of Ramman, offers his gift. Sacrifices he is to bring
so that his prayer may be acceptable.

On the 7th day, supplication to Marduk and Sarpanitum, a
favorable day (_sc._ may it be). An evil day. The shepherd of
many nations is not to eat meat roasted by the fire, or any food
prepared by the fire. The clothes of his body he is not to
change, fine dress (?) he is not to put on. Sacrifices he is not
to bring, nor is the king to ride in his chariot. He is not to
hold court nor is the priest to seek an oracle for him in the
holy of holies.[614] The physician is not to be brought to the
sick room.[615] The day is not suitable for invoking
curses.[616] At night, in the presence of Marduk and Ishtar, the
king is to bring his gift. Then he is to offer sacrifices so
that his prayer may be acceptable.

This 7th day, it will be observed, is expressly called an evil day. It
is evident, therefore, that the phrase 'favorable day' in the first line
expresses a hope and not a fact, or is added to indicate the manner in
which the day can be converted into a favorable one. Just as the 7th
day, so the 14th, 21st, and 28th are called evil days, and the same
ceremonies are prescribed for the king on these days. These days were
evidently c