Akkadian omens

Mixed matings
EUGENE M. MCCARTHY, PHD GENETICS, ΦΒΚ

Stele of Narâm-Sîn, king of Akkad, celebrating his victory

against the Lullubi from Zagros (c. 2250 B.C.).

Centered on the city of Akkad, the Akkadian Empire, which existed in

the third millennium B.C., was the first Semitic-speaking empire of
the Tigris-Euphrates Valley.

The Akkadians believed in omens, that is, in the idea that present-
day occurrences can foretell future events. For this reason, they
compiled lists indicating the expected future consequence for each
different kind of event. Among those omens were cases in which
animals were observed choosing mates not of their own kind. Their
listings of such cases are interesting not only because they show
that the Akkadians knew animals do in fact make such choices, but
also because they provide information about the specific
combinations of which the Akkadians were aware. Many of these
combinations have been forgotten in modern, urban-oriented
culture.

The following is a collection of omens and consequences taken from

Sally M. Freedman's interesting book If A City Is Set On A Height:
The Akkadian Omen Series Šumma Alu ina Mele Šakin (vol. 3, The
University of Pennsylvania Museum, 2017). These omens are quoted
from ancient clay tablets, which are often broken or for other
reasons illegible. So bracketed words and letters indicate portions of
the omen text completed on the basis of other existing texts. Ellipses
indicate missing text that could not be surmised.

Omens about mixed matings:

If a sheep approaches a pig (sexually)—dispersal of [the manʼs

house.] (Freedman, p. 6)

[If] a sheep rubs against a pig (sexually), [there will be] abandonment
of [the manʼs house.] (p. 6)

If a sheep approaches a dog (sexually), [an enemy will seize] the

plain of the land. (p. 6)

If a sheep rubs against a dog (sexually)—booty [for the man.] (p. 6)

[If] a white sheep mounts a she-goat—disagreement in the land. (p.

6)

If an ox approaches a donkey (sexually), a god of the land [will

become strong; the place (?) will be dispersed; … will attain ….] (p.
13)

If an ox rubs against a donkey (sexually)—[downfall / uprising of an

enemy for the man.] (p. 13)

If an ox approaches a horse (sexually), the king [will die and his land
will diminish / dispersal of the manʼs house.] (p. 13)

If an ox rubs against a horse (sexually), [defeat of an enemy /

abandonment of the manʼs house.] (p. 13)

If a donkey mounts a man, that man will be sold for money or

hardship will afflict him. (p. 20)

If a donkey approaches an ox (sexually)—destruction of the pen;

alternatively, a strong place in that city will be destroyed. (p. 20)

If a donkey rubs against an ox (sexually), the pen will be finished. (p.

20)

[If] a horse approaches an ox (sexually)—trouble for the manʼs

house. (p. 22)

If a horse rubs against an ox (sexually)—diminishment of the pen ….

(p. 22)

If a fox approaches a dog (sexually)—destruction of that land. (p. 36)

If a fox approaches a sheep (sexually)—dispersal of that land. (p. 36)

If a dog [approaches] a woman (sexually) […] (p. 59)

If a dog rubs a[gainst] a woman (sexually) […] (p. 59)

If a dog [approaches] a pig (sexually) […] (p. 59)

If a dog ru[bs again]st a pig (sexually)—property of the city god /

diminution of […] (p. 59)
If a dog approaches a fox (sexually), prices will de[crease] for three
years. (p. 59)

If a dog rubs against a fox (sexually)—abandonment of the commons

[…] (p. 60)

If a dog approaches a sheep (sexually)—diminution of the animal

pen; disperal of [the house]. (p. 60)

If a dog rubs against a sheep (sexually)—there will be pestilence /

famine / Irra in the land. (p. 60)

If a dog approaches] a wolf (sexually), the owner of the commons will

change; th[at] city […] (p. 60)

If a pig approaches a woman (sexually)—abandonment of the house

/ […] (p. 72)

If a pig rubs against a woman (sexually)—famine / cattle will go out.

(p. 72)

If a pig approaches a dog (sexually), the great will become small; the
ruler of that city […]. (p. 72)

If a pig rubs against a dog (sexually)—famine / there will be famines.

(p. 72)

If a pig approaches a sheep (sexually), Adad will devastate the cattle

of the land. (p. 72)

If a pig rubs against a sheep (sexually)—decease of cattle. (p. 72)

If a pig [approaches] a do[g (sexually)], the owner of the house will

have a loss in his family; [x] will die. (p. 72)

In addition, Freedman (2017, p. 33) states that one tablet "preserves

three wild animal omens in a context of sexual activity among
different kinds of animals," which indicates that the Akkadians, who
lived more than 4,000 years ago, were aware that hybridization
occurs in the wild—something many people are no longer aware of
today.