Ancient Mesopotamian Animal Omens

Abstract

The article addresses a Babylonian collection of omens regarding animals and their behavior. These omens are part of a large series of terrestrial omens that is known as Šumma ālu (ina mēlê šakin) “If a city (is set on a height).” The main argument of this article is that these animal omens should not be seen as straightforward reflections of actual animal behavior, but are conceived as a culturally constructed bestiarium, that is, as a mirror of human society. This will be demonstrated through a series of case studies.