Archaeoastronomy and Ancient Technologies 2021, 9(1), 40-61
DOI: 10.24412/2310-2144-2021-9-1-40-61
Venus and the Hittite sack of Babylon
A. Fournet
Independent researcher, Paris V Rene Descartes, France; E-mail: fournet.arnaud@wanadoo.fr
Abstract
The paper surveys the ways of building the absolute chronology of the ancient Near-East, with a special focus on Mesopotamia during the second millennium BC. There are two types of astronomical phenomena used for dating 2nd millennium Mesopotamia: eclipse observations and Venus observations. These phenomena are (to a large extent) cyclical and can therefore be calculated backward into the past. They can then be compared with existing "records" of astronomical observations. Depending on the presumed reliability of available documents and the retrospective calculations, a number of absolute datings can be proposed, for Egypt, for Assyria, for Anatolia, etc. Acceptable chronological schemes must accommodate available documents (King Lists, astronomical records, etc.), historical synchronisms and retrospective calculations of phenomena (Venus, eclipses, Sirius, etc.), as harmoniously as possible. There are several competing schemes: Long, High Middle, Low Middle, Short, not to mention Ultra-Short. On the whole, it would appear that the Low Middle chronology with the Fall of Babylon circa 1587 BC would best fit the whole set of available data.
Keywords: Ancient Near-East, absolute chronology, Venus, Assyria, Babylon, Anatolia
Full Text: Download pdf (English)
References
Bryce, T. The Kingdoms of the Hittites. Oxford University Press, 2005.
De Jong, T.; Foertmeyer, V. A new look at the Venus observations of Ammisaduqa: traces of the santorini eruption in the Atmosphere of Babylon? Jaarbericht "Ex Oriente Lux", 2010, Vol. 42, 143-59.
Gurzadyan, V. G. On the Astronomical Records and Babylonian Chronology. Akkadica. Brussels: Assyriological Center Georges Dossin, 2000, Vol. 119-120, 175-84. arXiv:physics/0311035
Gurzadyan, V. G. The Venus Tablet and refraction. In: Akkadica. Brussels: Assyriological Center Georges Dossin, 2003, Vol. 124, 13-17. arXiv:physics/0311036
Huber, P.J. Astronomy and Ancient Chronology. Akkadica, 2000, 119/120, 159-76.
Langdon S, Fotheringham J.K, Schoch C. The Venus Tablets of Ammizaduga, Oxford University Press, London, 1928.
Manning S.W.; Griggs, C.B.; Lorentzen, B.; Barjamovic, G., Ramsey, C.B.; Kromer, B.; Wild E.M. Integrated Tree-Ring-Radiocarbon High-Resolution Timeframe to Resolve Earlier Second Millennium BCE Mesopotamian Chronology. PLoS ONE, 2016, 11(7): e0157144. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0157144
Reiner, E. and Pingree, D. Babylonian Planetary Omens. Part One. Enuma Anu Enlil Tablet 63: The Venus Tablet of Ammi?aduqa. Undena Publications, 1975.
Weir, J. D. Venus Tablets of Ammizaduga. Leiden and Istanbul, 1972.
Weir, J. D. The Venus Tablets - a Fresh Approach. Journal for the History of Astronomy, 1982, Vol. 13, 23-49.
