* Astronomy

Blobrana · L

RE: The fall of Babylon

Blobrana · L

A text about the fall of Babylon by the Hittites of Mursilis I at the end of Samsuditana's reign which tells about a twin eclipse is crucial for a correct Babylonian chronology. The pair of lunar and solar eclipses occurred in the month Shimanu (Sivan). The lunar eclipse took place on February 9, 1659 BC [Ed ~ should be February 20 1659 BC ?]. It started at 4:43 and ended at 6:47. The latter was invisible which satisfies the record which tells that the setting moon was still eclipsed. The solar eclipse occurred on February 23, 1659. It started at 10:26, has its maximum at 11:45, and ended at 13:04

Blobrana · L

Dating the fall of Babylon and Ur

The traditional date of 1595 BCE for the destruction of Babylon by the Hittite king Mursili I is accepted by most historians for many years despite notable controversies. This pivotal date is considered crucial to the various calculations of the early chronology of the ancient Near East. According to the Venus Tablet (Enuma Anu Enlil 63) which describes the rising and setting of Venus during the reign of Ammisaduqa, there are only four possibilities implying four dates for the destruction of Ur: 1912, 1944, 2004, 2064 BCE. However, a tablet of astronomical omens (Enuma Anu Enlil 20) mentions a lunar eclipse, dated 14/III/48, at the end of the reign of !ulgi and another (Enuma Anu Enlil 21) mentions a lunar eclipse, dated 14/XII/24, at the end of the reign of Ibbi-Sin. Over the period 2200-1850 BCE there are only three pairs of eclipses, spaced by 42 years, matching the description of astronomical omens but only one agreeing with the previous four dates. Despite the excellent agreement the date of 1499 BCE is considered too low compared to Kassite and Hittite chronologies
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