Book Review of Mesopotamian Astrology (2009) by Gary D. Thompson
Copyright © 2011 by Gary D. Thompson
Book Review: Mesopotamian Astrology (Journal of the Royal Society of Canada, February, 2011, Volume 105, Number 1 [746], Pages 40-42)
(By mistake the second last draft rather than the final draft was printed in the journal. The final draft intended for publication appears below)
Mesopotamian Astrology: The Mother of Modern Astronomy, by Swapan Kumar Adhikari, pages 56 + v, 21 cm x 28 cm, Dipali Publication: Howrah, West Bengal, 2009. Price $10 US, paperback (ISBN-10: 81-901643-5-X).
The book’s author, now retired, was Head of the Institution and Department of Mathematics, Ghusuri Uchcha Madhyamik Vidyalaya, West Bengal, India. Besides a Ph.D. in mathematics the author also has a B.Sc., M.Sc., and B.Ed. It is stated on the covers of the book that the author had previously published 3 books and 53 papers, with 3 papers currently accepted for publication. Amongst the author’s publications is a 1998 paper on Babylonian mathematics in the Indian Journal of History of Science.
Another book dealing with Mesopotamian astral sciences and the development of mathematical astronomy in Mesopotamia is usually a welcome event even if the research is not original. However, this particular addition to the subject is disappointing due to its lack of balanced overview and considerable number of errors it contains.
There is nothing in this book that can be deemed new. It seems the author’s intention is to present succinct mathematical examples of key aspects of Babylonian mathematical astronomy. The author offers little explanation for the particular contents of the book. In a title page The author states “This book has been published for the remembrance of YEAR OF ASTRONOMY, 2009” and in the preface “On the theme of IYA to identify our sky I have considered Mesopotamians for their contributions on the observations sky [sic].” The title provides the only indication of what the author is perhaps setting out to achieve.
The content of this short book contains 8 chapters, plus a 6-page preface, a 5-page introduction, and 2 pages of references:
1. Preface
2. Introduction i-v
3. Chapter-I: Basic Astronomical Findings 1-15
4. Chapter-II: Mercury 16-18
5. Chapter-III: Venus 19-22
6. Chapter-IV: Mars 23-27
7. Chapter-V: Jupiter 28-36
8. Chapter-VI: Saturn 37-38
9. Chapter-VII: Moon and Sun 39-54
10. Chapter-VIII: Other Astro-tablets 55-56
11. References
The main focus of the author is mathematical astronomy – planetary theory, and lunar and solar theory. From Chapter-II through to Chapter-VII (39 pages) the author primarily gives solved mathematical examples. Sources for the material used are not identified and the dates for the material are rarely given. Transcriptions are rarely identified, and then not sufficiently. Judgment of how admirable the mathematical discussions are is beyond the abilities of the reviewer.
It is regrettable that the book contains numerous factual errors, trivial and important, as well as unsupported assertions. The author appears to be uninformed on Babylonian astronomy generally and only assured with mathematical issues. It is neither an authoritative or reliable book on the subject. Numerous factual errors appear throughout the book. The development of Babylonian astronomy is not adequately traced from preoccupation with calendars and astral omens to the construction of ephemerides. The contents appear mainly to reflect some notes the author has compiled on some issues of personal interest, or perhaps for use in a lecture course in mathematics. Explanations are uneven in detail throughout the book.
Although there are numerous shortcomings with Mesopotamian Astrology: The Mother of Modern Astronomy, if carefully revised and corrected the book could provide an introduction to Babylonian astronomy. In its present form it is a flawed book that is not suitable for everybody. Its numerous erroneous statements limit the usefulness of the book to non-expert readers. The book could not be recommended to a general or uninformed audience interested in Babylonian astronomy. Mathematically inclined readers will no doubt enjoy those particular chapters of the book. The low price makes the book accessible to them.
The production standards could have been better. The book is the product of desktop publishing on the part of the author, who obviously lacks the required skills. The content of the book is not well organized. The book would have benefited from professional editing, proofing, and typesetting. The text is not always well written and at times there is a rather grand use of the English language. Pagination could also be improved. The pages comprising the Preface and References are not numbered. Illustrations, all in black and white, are a mix of maps (2), line drawings (16), and photographs (50). Most have been reproduced with sufficient clarity.
Greater attention to page design and a less crowded layout would have aided readability. At times the author does not provide clear explanations, or sources for material being used. Also, statements often lack the benefit of clarifying details. Misspellings are frequent throughout the book. Use of a spell-check would have solved most spelling issues. The sources for apparent quotes are not identified and it appears italics are used to indicate text being quoted. Some illustrations are framed and some are not, and there are arbitrary changes to the font type used for captions. No illustrations are credited to their various sources – and most are obviously taken from the Internet. The captions for some illustrations are loosely placed or even misplaced. The illustrations are not numbered to aid identification. A number of illustrations seem irrelevant.
Francesca Rochberg The Heavenly Writing (2004), David Brown Mesopotamian Planetary Astronomy-Astrology (2000), and Hermann Hunger and David Pingree Astral Sciences in Mesopotamia (1999), all outstanding studies, are lacking from the list of references. It is not indicated that the references that are given are those solely used by the author.
The following are a few selective corrections and observations given with minimal comment.
In the Acknowledgement, Otto Neugebauer is identified as German. Otto Neugebauer was born in Innsbruck, Austria. Franois [sic] Thureau-Dangin is identified as German. François Thurea-Dangin was born in Paris, France. Johan [sic] Strassmaier is correctly Johann Strassmaier.
In the Preface ephemerides is spelled ephemeredes; no attempt is made to define the terms ‘ancient’ and ‘old’ astronomy; the author claims that prior to 4000 BC certain rudiments of astronomy were established in Mesopotamia, but does not attempt to explain exactly what he believes these were.
On page iii the description of gods and goddesses includes the description of Anshar as a god of earth, Kishar as a goddess of heaven, Shulpae as an earth god, and Nintu as an earth goddess. Correctly, Anshar is a sky god, and Kishar is an earth goddess. Shulpae is described as an earth god but is perhaps better described as a god of feasting, fertility, and demonic powers. Nintu is described as an earth goddess but is perhaps better described as a creattress of humankind, a birth goddess.
The text includes some oddities i.e., page 1, offering assistance with pronunciation: “Thus we can say that modern astronomy has been sprung from Babylon (< Baby-Lion).” Bab-e-lon is a closer aid to pronunciation.
On pages 1 and 2 the author implies the Sumerians established the system of zodiacal constellations/signs. It is generally accepted that the evidence clearly shows the 12-constellation zodiac originated with the Babylonians in the 1st millennium BC.
In the illustration caption on page 4 the author states that the Mul.Apin series contains nearly 200 astronomical observations. The tablets do not contain actual observations. It is believed the data is the result of averaging actual observations.
The illustrations include some oddities i.e., the photograph of Mul.Apin tablet 1 appears in composite with a photograph of the zodiac floor mosaic at the 6th-century AD synagogue at Beth Alpha, Israel, without the latter being mentioned.
On page 5 the author’s caption for a kudurru (boundary-stone) states: “Sumerian Astrological Tablet of 2300 B.C.” The kudurru is BM 102485 and the inscription sets out it is a land-deed from Governor Eanna-shum-iddina (of the Sealand) to his subordinate Gula-eres; and has been dated to the Kassite period, specifically 1125-1100 BC. A caption for another kudurru (identifiable as BM 90858) claims it is a tablet dating to 2000 BC and depicts 12 constellations. It is a Kassite period land-deed depicting only god/goddess symbols. Ursula Seidl, the present-day expert on kudurrus, maintains kudurru iconography has no astral significance.
On page 14 the author accepts Willy Hartner’s 1965 conjecture that the Sumerians were using a quartet of constellations as seasonal markers, but substitutes a date of 3000 BC (for Hartner’s 4000 BC.). There remains a complete lack of any type of supportive evidence for Hartner’s conjecture and it is not supported by Assyriologists.
On page 15 there is apparent support for Alex Gurshtein’s 1993 gradualist concept of zodiacal development i.e., the introduction over time of quartet sets of constellations to mark the tropical points. There also remains a complete lack of any type of supportive evidence for Gurshtein’s conjectural-deductive scheme.
On page 15 the author states the astrolabes (planispheres) were orientated to the celestial equator. There is no word for ‘equator’ in the astrolabe texts. The concept of a celestial equator was not recognized. The central band of the god Anu roughly occupied (but did not identify) the equatorial region. There is no reason to believe the path of the ecliptic was known in the 2nd millennium BC. The choice of circular astrolabe illustration on this page, with the path of the ecliptic drawn on it, is unhelpful. Both it and the preceding illustration on page 14, with derived captions, have been taken from Figure 2.1 (page 18) and Figure 2.2 (page 20), of Early Astronomy from Babylonia to Copernicus by William O’Neil (1986), without acknowledgement. McNeil’s circular astrolabe depiction can be considered redundant.
On page 19 both the illustration caption and text refer to a Venus tablet of Uruk dated 3000 BC. The illustration identifies a cylinder seal (dated circa 3300-3200 BC) from the Uruk period, in the Eldermeyer Collection that has 3 star symbols at the top that have been interpreted as representing the Sun, Moon, and Venus. The cylinder seal also contains 2 symmetrical curved signs, one star, and a tall reed pole tapered upwards, rolled at the top into a ring on the outside, with a pennon - corresponding to the symbol for Inanna. The decipherment may be dingir.Inanna.Údsig = "Goddess Inanna [star] of sunrise and sunset."
On page 36 both the illustration caption and text claim the god Marduk to be depicted on a swan. The illustration identifies Marduk and the goddess of chaos Tiamat in the form of a dragon. Page 36 also contains an unclear discussion of several issues, and several misspellings. In one of the brief unclear discussions the author attempts to identify Marduk and Tiamat with the Indian Bisnu (= Vishnu?) in the form of Hansa (a Swan).
On page 46, the illustration caption for a cylinder seal, though correctly identifying the god Shamash, is mostly erroneous. The author suggests the scene depicts the sun-god Shamash setting on the horizon. The illustration identifies the cylinder seal of Adda the scribe (dated circa 2300-2200 BC), one of the most famous cylinder seals known from the Ancient Near East. Depicted on it are the 5 major deities of the Mesopotamian pantheon. The cylinder seal depicts the sun-god Shamash busy cutting his way through the 2 peaks of Mount Mashu in order to rise at dawn.
The 2 pages comprising Chapter VIII: Other Astro-Tablets is simply taken up with 7 illustrations and their captions. On page 56 the illustration caption states: “A tablet describing asteroid.” The author gives no reference for this statement and it is likely the information was taken from the Internet. The illustration identifies the tablets as K 8538, a late Babylonian planisphere (circular star map), dated by the Assyriologist Johannes Koch to circa 650 BC. The erroneous claim that it is a copy of a Sumerian record of an asteroid impact in 3123 BC has been generated by Alan Bond and Mark Hempsell, neither of whom is an Assyriologist, in their wildly speculative book, A Sumerian Observation of the Kofels’ Impact Event (2008).
Corrections are needed to the References at the end of the book. Number 38, In Search of Ancient Astronomies omits the name of the book’s editor, E. C. Krupp, and has 1978 instead of 1977 as the publication date by Doubleday & Company. The preceding number 37 In Search of Ancient Astronomers, 1979, is erroneous. It perpetuates a long-existing title mistake, alongside a reprint date or UK publication date, for In Search of Ancient Astronomies. Number 45, Recherches sur l'Historie de Astronomie Ancienne [sic], correctly Recherches sur l'histoire de l'astronomie ancienne, omits the name of the book’s author, Paul Tannery.
Gary Thompson is a semi-retired occupational health and safety professional who lives in Melton, Australia. His astronomical interests include the history of constellations and star names, and the history of Babylonian astral sciences. He is an avid book collective and over the past 40 years has built-up an extensive library of material on Babylonian astronomy, including the works of pioneer Assyriologists such as Franz Kugler. His award-winning website “Studies of Occidental Constellations and Star Names to the Classical Period: An Annotated Bibliography” (http://members.westnet.com.au/Gary-David-Thompson/index1.html) is a highly respected resource among professionals and amateurs. Currently he is writing detailed biographies of the early pioneers of Babylonian mathematical astronomy, Joseph Epping, Johann Strassmaier, Franz Kugler, and Johann Schaumberger.
This web page was last updated on: Monday, May 30, 2011, 10.00 pm.
This web page was created using Arachnophilia 4.0 and FrontPage 2003.
You can reach me here by email: