An extract from a long text[53] furnishing omens derived from all kinds of peculiarities and abnormal phenomena noted on the ears of an animal—primarily again the sheep, though no doubt assumed to be applicable to other domesticated animals—will throw further light on the system of divination devised by the bârû-priests, and will also illustrate the extravagant fancy of the priests in their endeavor to make their collections provide for all possible and indeed for many impossible contingencies.
If a foetus[54] lacks the right ear, the rule of the king will come to an end, his palace will be destroyed, overthrow of the elders of the city, the king will be without counsellors, confusion in the land, diminution of the cattle in the land, the enemy will acquire control[55].
If the foetus lacks a left ear, a god will harken to the prayer of the king, the king will take the land of his enemy, the palace of the enemy will be destroyed, the enemy will be without a counsellor, the cattle of the enemy’s country will be diminished, the enemy will lose control.
If the right ear of the foetus is detached, the stall[56] will be destroyed.
If the left ear of the foetus is detached, the enemy’s stall will be destroyed.
If the right ear of the foetus is split, the herd will be destroyed or the leaders of the city will leave (it)[57].
If the left ear of the foetus is split, the herd will be enlarged, the leaders of the enemy’s country will leave (it).
If the right ear of the foetus is split and swollen with clay, the country [will have a rival].
If the left ear of the foetus is split and swollen with clay, the enemy’s country will have a rival.
If the right ear of the foetus is destroyed, the stall will be enlarged, the stall of the enemy will be diminished.