SAA 04 020. Giving a Princess in Marriage to Bartatua, King of the Scythians (PRT 016) [military and political]

(1) Šamaš, great lord, give me a firm positive answer to what I am asking you!

(2) Bartatua, king of the Scythians, who has now sent his messengers to Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, concerning a royal daughter in marriage —

(4) if Esarhaddon, king of [Assyria], gives him a royal daughter in marriage, will Bartatua, king of the Scythians, speak with [Esarhaddon, king of Assyria], in good faith, true and honest words of peace?

(8) Will he keep the treaty of [Esarhaddon, king of Assyria]? Will he do [whatever i]s pleasing to Esarhaddon, king of Assyria?

(10) Is it decreed and confirmed in a favorable case, [by the command of your great divinity], Šamaš, great lord? Will he who can see, s[ee it? Will he who can hear], hear it?

(12) Disregard the (formulation) of [today's case, be it go]od, be it faulty.

(13) Disregard that [an unclean man or woman has come near] the place of the extispicy and made it unclean.

(14) Disregard that [the ram (offered) to your divinity for the performance of the extispicy is defic]ient or faulty.

(r 1) Disregard that he who touches the fo[rehead of the sheep is dr]essed [in his ordinary soiled garments], (or) has ea[ten, drunk, or anointed himself] with anything unclean, [(or) has alt]ered or changed [the proceedings].

(r 3) Disregard that [the oracle query has become jumb]led in the mouth of the [haruspex, your servant].

Let them be taken out and [put aside]!

(r 4) [I ask you, Šamaš, great lor]d, whether, should Esarhaddo[n, king of Assyria gi]ve [a royal daughter] in marriage [to B]artatua, king of the Scythians, Bartatua will guard and keep the treaty of Esarh[addon, king of Assyria],

(r 8) (and whether) he will in good faith speak hon[est] words [of peace] with Esarhaddon king of Assyria, and do whatever is pleasing [to Esa]rhaddon, king of Assyria.

(r 10) Be present in [thi]s ram, place (in it) a firm positive answer, favorable designs, favorable, propitious omens by the oracular command of your great divinity, and may I see (them).

(r 13) May (this query) go to your great divinity, O Šamaš, great lord, and may an [or]acle be given as an answer.

(r 14) The middle of the 'station' is effaced. The 'path' has a bifurcation on the right and on the left. The 'strength' is present. The 'well-being' is [present] on the right and on the left. In the left of the gall bladder there is a fissure, it is 'bound' to a 'foot'-mark and faces the back.

(r 15) The 'path' on the left of the gall bladder is present. The 'base of the throne' is present. The top of the right surface of the 'finger' is split below. In the middle surface of the 'finger' a piece of flesh is twisted.

(r 16) The 'weapon'-mark of the 'increment' rises toward the left. The upper part is elevated. The base of the middle part is 'loose.' The breast-bone is thick. The coils of the colon are 16 in number.

(r 17) First extispicy.

(r 18) The 'station' is present. The 'path' is present. The 'strength' is present. The 'well-being' is present. The 'base of the throne' is present. In the base of the middle surface of the 'finger' there is a 'foot'-mark.

(r 19) The upper part is elevated. The 'ear' is present. The base of the middle part is 'loose.' The bre[ast-bone is th]ick.

(r 20) The coils of the colon are 14 in number. The heart of the ram is normal. Second extispicy.