A New OB Collection of Padānum and Related Omens in Los Angeles

Abstract

The following presents an edition of a heretofore-unpublished OB omen collection concerning the padanum, or "Path." As may be expected, this text, larger than most of the known padanum collections, enhances our understanding of the zone in Mesopotamian extispicy known by that name, typically the second according to the standardized inspection sequence. An examination of the text, however, reveals an interweaving of omens concerning other zones bearing the label of "Path." This interweaving raises questions about the development of extispicy literature in this period and challenges conceptions concerning its standardization -from a new perspective.1 We thank J. Berman for inviting us, twice, to the California Museum of Ancient Art, to study the tablet and for allowing its publication. Warm thanks are also extended to Bruce Zuckerman and staff of the USC West Semitic Research Project, who photographed the tablet in 2010 and also made its photos -including those accompanying this paper -available via its Inscriptifact project. It is also a pleasure to thank Andrew George, who kindly read the manuscript in a penultimate form and made invaluable suggestions. Naturally any remaining faults are ours alone. Abbreviations used herein, including those for text references, follow those of the Chicago Assyrian Dictionary (= CAD), but note also the citation of several omen collections according to their museum numbers, in keeping with the practice in secondary literature on OB extispicy.2 The tablet appears in Christie's online searchable database as well; see: http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot/a-large-old-babyloniancuneiform-clay-omen-2034605details.aspx?from=searchresults&int-ObjectID=2034605&sid=ebd15991-4d6a-4a4e-9d36-b900044a3652. b Physical Description and MeasurementsCMAA030-C0001 is flat on the front side and convex on the back, and measures 23.2 × 15.9 cm. The tablet is comprised of several fragments, some glued together previous to our first encounter with it; these pieces, it is clear, are correct in their placement, and thus it seems safe to assume that this reconstruction effort took place at or near Museum NumberPublication