The Corpus of Hittite Divinatory Texts (HDivT)

Digital Edition and Cultural Historical Analysis

Andrea Trameri (Hrsg.)

Citatio: Andrea Trameri (Hrsg.), hethiter.net/: CTH 573.21 (TRde 2025-08-07)


CTH 573.21

Bird oracles by ‘Ḫattuš’ and Tarwaški for the safety of the king

translatio



Abschnitt 1ID=1: obv. §1´. First (?) observation

1ID=1 --

[] lengthway[s …]

2ID=2 --

[… birds] came in front from the favorable side.

3ID=3 --

[… it turned its beak] lengthways.

4ID=4 --

[A … bird] seized [a … bird GU]N-lian.

5ID=5 --

It ca[me] in front lengthways from the favorable side.

6ID=6 --

[A … bird ca]me []

7ID=7 --

and it flew away in front.

8ID=8 --

A ‘fo[x-bird’ … ca]me/flew [].

9ID=9 --

Behind the road:

10ID=10 --

we saw a ḫarrani- bird tar(uya)li-,

11ID=11 --

and i[t …].

12ID=12 --

[A … bird] came in front from the unfavorable side

13ID=13 --

and it flew lengthways from the unfavorable side.

14ID=14 --

[]

Abschnitt 2ID=2: obv. §2´. (continuation)

15ID=15 --

[]1 We saw [an eagle and a ‘fox-bird’ G]UN.

16ID=16 --

The eagle [ca]me lengthways from the favorable side,

17ID=17 --

while the ‘fox-bird’ []

18ID=18 --

[Thus (say) Ḫattuš and T]arwaški:

19ID=19 --

“they excluded (it).”

20ID=20 --

“But, that one [] wh[ich …]

21ID=21 --

[… the bi]rds ‘of anguish’,

22ID=22 --

[they predicted] unrest”.

Abschnitt 3ID=3: obv. §3´. Second observation: if the birds “predicted evil for […]”

23ID=23 --

[If … (it)] predicted evil [for …]

24ID=24 --

[let the birds] confirm (it).

25ID=25 --

An eagle [came] in front [from …]

26ID=26 --

Its beak, however [was turned to …].

27ID=27 --

[It took flight]

28ID=28 --

it came in front from the unfav[orable side],

29ID=29 --

and it fl[ew] away in front.

30ID=30 --

[… bird(s) came] in the back down from the un[favorable side]

31ID=31 --

[and it …]

32ID=32 --

[Behin]d the ro[ad:]

33ID=33 --

[an aramna]nt- bird came in front fron the unfavorable side

34ID=34 --

and it [flew away] in front.

35ID=35 --

An eagle [].

36ID=36 --

[A … bird] came in the back up from the favorable side

37ID=37 --

and it [flew] lengthways from the unfav[orable side].

Abschnitt 4ID=4: obv. §4´. (continuation): “in the west”

38ID=38 --

[We stood]2 in the west.

39ID=39 --

We saw [… birds]3 GUN towards the sun

40ID=40 --

The aramnant- bird [came …] towards the su[n].

41ID=41 --

A wine vessel of ZU.NA wood [].

42ID=42 --

[The other bird] came [] from the unfavorable side.

43ID=43 --

An eagle, however, [came/flew] GUN, diagonally4

44ID=44 --

Thus (say) Ḫattuš and [Tarwaški:]

45ID=45 --

[“…”].

Abschnitt 5ID=5: obv. §5´. Third observation: “we observed them again”

46ID=46 --

We watched them (i.e. the birds) again.

47ID=47 --

[A … bird was].

48ID=48 --

Then it took flight

49ID=49 --

and it []

50ID=50 --

it ca[me] lengthways from the unfavorable side

51ID=51 --

[… came/we]nt.

52ID=52 --

A tapašši- bird, however [came …]

53ID=53 --

and it flew away in the middle.

54ID=54 --

[… it per]ched [],

55ID=55 --

and [it turned] its beak [].

Abschnitt 6ID=6: obv. §6´. (continuation; control oracle?) “we watched them again”

56ID=56 --

We watched the[m (i.e. the birds) ag]ain.

57ID=57 --

A ḫašt[api- bird …]

58ID=58 --

[it/a … bird] came in front from the unfavorable side.

59ID=59 --

It [turned] back,

60ID=60 --

[]5

61ID=61 --

[A/the … bird] came in the back up from the favorable side

62ID=62 --

and it []

Abschnitt 7ID=7: obv. §7´. Fourth observation: “concerning … His Majesty and […]”

63ID=63 --

Concerning the fact that [] of His Majesty and of []6

64ID=64 --

[if] you do not see any evil []

65ID=65 --

[Let the birds].

66ID=66 --

[Abird …].

67ID=67 --

A ḫalwašši- bird came in the back down from the unfavorable side.

68ID=68 --

[]

69ID=69 --

and it flew away in the middle.

70ID=70 --

Thus (say) [Ḫattuš and Tarwaški]:

71ID=71 --

[“…”].

72ID=72 --

We stood in the west:

73ID=73 --

an eagle []

Abschnitt 8ID=8: obv. §8´. Fifth observation: “concerning that ḫalwašši- bird, … for the person of His Majesty”

74ID=74 --

As concerns that ḫalwašši- bird, which to the oracular question for His Majest[y (only), for his person …]

75ID=75 --

[] did [not(?)] predict any [anguish]:

76ID=76 --

“let the birds confirm (it).”

77ID=77 --

But the birds (at first) [were not doing … for them]

78ID=78 --

[]

79ID=79 --

(But) then, they were doing it for them.

80ID=80 --

The one in the west7 also gave a sign.

81ID=81 --

[]

82ID=82 --

[If they] predic[ted] some kind of anguish (only) for the person of His Majesty:

83ID=83 --

[let the birds]

84ID=84 --

[Two birds came]

85ID=85 --

One (bird) tried to catch the other,

86ID=86 --

they kept fighting

87ID=87 --

and they flew away in the middle.

88ID=88 --

[]

89ID=89 --

An eagle taru(ya)li- flew away in front.

90ID=90 --

A šalwaya- birdflew GUN diagonally.

91ID=91 --

[A … bird …]

92ID=92 --

it turned its beak away to the middle.

93ID=93 --

Then it took flight

94ID=94 --

and it fle[w] lengthways GUN.

95ID=95 --

[We saw an eagle] and a šalwaya- bird GUN.

96ID=96 --

The eagle flew away in the middle.

97ID=97 --

The šalwaya- bird, however, [came] in the ba[ck …].

98ID=98 --

Behind the road:

99ID=99 --

a ḫarrani- bird came in the back up from the favorable side

100ID=100 --

and it [met] ‘below’ an ālliya- bird tar(uya)li-.

101ID=101 --

[]

Abschnitt 9ID=9: obv. §9´. (continuation): “in the west”

102ID=102 --

We stood in the west.

103ID=103 --

A ḫarrani- bird ca[me] in the back up from the favorable side towards the sun

104ID=104 --

[]

105ID=105 --

it turned around therein8

106ID=106 --

and it came in the back down from the unfavorable side.

107ID=107 --

It turned back.

108ID=108 --

A wine vessel of [ZU.NA] wood []

109ID=109 --

It came in the back down from the unfavorable side

110ID=110 --

then it turned back.

111ID=111 --

A wine vessel of ZU.NA wood []

112ID=112 --

[It] came in the back up from the favorable side

113ID=113 --

and it came all the way towards the sun down(wards).9

114ID=114 --

and [].

Abschnitt 10ID=10: obv. §10´. Sixth observation: “If those birds predicted harm for His Majesty”

115ID=115 --

If those birds predict[ed] harm only for the person of His Majesty

116ID=116 --

[but] they predicted [no harm for]:

117ID=117 --

let the birds exclude (it).

118ID=118 --

An eagle came in front from the favorable side

119ID=119 --

and [it …]

120ID=120 --

Behind the road:

121ID=121 --

an ālliya- bird came diagonally tar(uya)li-.

122ID=122 --

Thus (say) Ḫattuš and Tarwašk[i:]

123ID=123 --

[“…”]

Abschnitt 11ID=11: obv. §11´. Seventh observation: about the birds ‘of concern’ being unfavorable for His Majesty, and an angry deity

124ID=124 --

Concerning the fact that the birds – (namely) the birds ‘of concern’ – kept being unfavorable for His Majesty

125ID=125 --

[]

126ID=126 --

If some deity10 is angry for the matter of the deity

127ID=127 --

and for us, good []

128ID=128 --

[Let the birds].

129ID=129 --

An ālili- bird came in front from the unfavorable side

130ID=130 --

and it flew away in front.

131ID=131 --

An eagle []

132ID=132 --

and it flew away in the middle.

133ID=133 --

Behind the road:

134ID=134 --

a šalwaya- bird came in front from the unfavorable side

135ID=135 --

and it [met a maršanašši- bird]11 ‘below’.

136ID=136 --

[The šalwaya- bird …] flew away in front.

137ID=137 --

The maršanašši- bird, however, came in the back down from the unfavorable side

138ID=138 --

and it [flew away] in the middle.

139ID=139 --

[Thus (say) Ḫattuš and Tarwaški:]

140ID=140 --

[“They excluded it”].12

Abschnitt 12ID=12: obv. §12´. Eighth observation: “His Majesty […] the land”

141ID=141 --

Concerning the fact that the oracular response was confirmed again:

142ID=142 --

if His Majesty [] also of the land []

143ID=143 --

[Let the birds].

144ID=144 --

A šalwaya- bird came in front from the unfavorable side

145ID=145 --

and it flew away in front.

146ID=146 --

Another one, [however, came …]

147ID=147 --

[and] it flew away [].

Abschnitt 13ID=13: (continuation) “we asked the question (again)”

148ID=148 --

We asked the (oracular) question (i.e. again?).

149ID=149 --

An aramnant- bird came in front from the favorable side

150ID=150 --

and i[t …]

151ID=151 --

[A … bird] came [… from …]

152ID=152 --

it perched

153ID=153 --

and it turned its beak lengthways.

154ID=154 --

Then it took flight

155ID=155 --

and [it …].

156ID=156 --

[A … bird …, it perched … (and its beak …)].13

157ID=157 --

Then it took flight,

158ID=158 --

it came in the back up from the favorable side

159ID=159 --

and it [flew] away tar(uya)li- diagonally.

160ID=160 --

[]

161ID=161 --

An eagle came tar(uya)li- diagonally,

162ID=162 --

a maršanašši- bird, however, [came] in front from the favorable side.

163ID=163 --

[Two … birds …].

164ID=164 --

[One (bird) …]

165ID=165 --

and it flew away in the middle.

166ID=166 --

The other, however, came in front from the unfavorable side

167ID=167 --

and it [flew away] in front.

168ID=168 --

[birds]14

169ID=169 --

They turned back15

170ID=170 --

and they came in the back up from the favorable side.

171ID=171 --

[].

172ID=172 --

We stood in the west.

173ID=173 --

An eagle [came] in the bac[k …] towards the sun

174ID=174 --

and it came all the way towards the sun down(wards),

175ID=175 --

and it [].

Abschnitt 14ID=14: lo. edge-rev. §13´. Ninth observation: about the birds and the deity “predicting evil for the safety of His Majesty”

176ID=176 --

Instead, concerning the fact that he [] the birds for the safety of [His Majesty …]

177ID=177 --

[If] the birds kept predicting evil for the safety of His Majesty

178ID=178 --

[(and) you as well, O deity] keep predicting [evil for the safety of His Majesty]:

179ID=179 --

Let the birds confirm (it).

180ID=180 --

An āll[i(ya)- bird …]

181ID=181 --

and it flew diagonally GUN.

182ID=182 --

(Then) it p[erched].

183ID=183 --

[] came [… from …]

184ID=184 --

Another al[ili- bird], however [].

185ID=185 --

An ālli(ya)- bird fl[ew] away in the middle.

186ID=186 --

[]

187ID=187 --

An eagle [came] in the back d[own from the favorable side]

188ID=188 --

[] it flew []

189ID=189 --

but down(wards) from the unfavorable si[de it …]

190ID=190 --

[]

191ID=191 --

[We stood in the west].

192ID=192 --

A maršanašš[i- bird …]

193ID=193 --

[] they came diagonally []

194ID=194 --

[]

195ID=195 --

[] they came [] from the favorable side.

196ID=196 --

[]

Abschnitt 15ID=15: rev. §14´. (lost)

197ID=197 --

and it []

rev. breaks off

Abschnitt 16ID=16: left edge. §15´. Fragmentary text/label on the tablet’s edge

198ID=198 --

[]

It is unclear if another sentence introduced this section (such as e.g. “We stood in the west”; see kola 38, 72, 102, 172).
See obv. 18´, 28´, 48´ (Frg. 2).
According to Sakuma Y. 2009b, II, 41 there were two birds, based on the content of the following sentences.
For pa-ri-an as abbreviation of pariyawan (not pariyan ‘across’) see also obv. 34´ (Frg. 2).
According to Sakuma Y. 2009b, II, 42, we can restore “it came in front from the favorable side” (rule ‘of quadrant change’).
For a tentative restoration see Sakuma Y. 2009b, II, 42: “(Was) dies (betrifft), daß betreffs der Majestät und betreffs d[er … das Übel bestätigt wurde. Wenn ihr, o Götter, nur betreffs der Majestät Übel beobachtet, betreffs … aber] kein Übel beobachtet (…)” (my emphasis).
Here iparwašši- is an ADJ referring to the eagle mentioned in obv. 18´ (Frg. 2), lit. the ‘western (bird)’.
The sentence could also mean “to move in a circle”, other than to “spin (on the spot)”. Note that “turning back” while flying is usually expressed through appa dā-, as in the next sentence, thus this phrase most likely has a different meaning.
Note that arḫa is unusual with the verb uwa- in bird oracles (typically it precedes pai-). It cannot be a mistake, however, since the same use appears in obv. 49´ (Frg. 2).
Differently Sakuma Y. 2009b, II, 47: “Wenn du, o Gott, wegen der Angelegenheit der Gottheit etwas Zornig (bist), und das gute … []” (my emphasis).
See also Sakuma Y. 2009b, II, 47, with few additional restorations.
The negative outcome is almost certain, as the movements “from the unfavorable side” are most likely the majority in this paragraph (at least three times).
One expects a similar sequence, due to the typical order of sentences appearing before the “take off” of a bird (see next line).
Probably: “[came in the back down from the unfavorable side]”, based on the next sentence; also Sakuma Y. 2009b, II, 49-50 (rule ‘of quadrant change’).
Note the use of -šmaš here as reflexive particle in the plural, parallel to sg. -za in the phrase …=za appa dā-.
Editio ultima: Traductionis 2025-08-07