The Heavenly Writing
Divination, Horoscopy, and Astronomy in Mesopotamian Culture

This book, first published in 2004, examines the various ways the heavens were studied and understood in ancient Mesopotamia.

Francesca Rochberg (Author)

9780521830102, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 27 September 2004

360 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.4 cm, 0.7 kg

'This is a fascinating read with much to offer and challenge, an erudite and skilful exploration and justification of Assyrian and Babylonian expertise and influence in this area. … I enjoyed this immensely … It is a truly exciting book, with true passion and secure appreciation and knowledge of this intriguing subject.' The London Association of Classical Teachers Newsletter

In antiquity, the expertise of the Babylonians in matters of the heavens was legendary and the roots of both western astronomy and astrology are traceable in cuneiform tablets going back to the second and first millennia BC. The Heavenly Writing, first publsiehd in 2004, discusses the place of Babylonian celestial divination, horoscopy, and astronomy in Mesopotamian intellectual culture. Focusing chiefly on celestial divination and horoscopes, it traces the emergence of personal astrology from the tradition of celestial divination and the use of astronomical methods in horoscopes. It further takes up the historiographical and philosophical issue of the nature of these Mesopotamian 'celestial sciences' by examining elements traditionally of concern to the philosophy of science, without sacrificing the ancient methods, goals, and interests to a modern image of science. This book will be of particular interest to those concerned with the early history of science.

1. The historiography of Mesopotamian science
2. Celestial divination in context
3. Mesopotamian genethlialogy: the Babylonian horoscopes
4. Sources for horoscopes in Babylonian astronomical texts
5. Sources for horoscopes in the early astrological tradition
6. The scribes and scholars of Mesopotamian celestial science
7. The classification of Mesopotamian celestial inquiry as science.

Subject Areas: Religion & beliefs [HR], Archaeology [HD], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA]