[33] The position occupied by the sheep in divination leads in astrology to the use of the Sumerian term Lu-Bat, i. e., 'dead sheep' as the designation of the planets, the association of ideas being 'dead sheep' == =têrtu= 'omen' and then == planet, because the planets were regarded as omens. In the larger sense, the moon and sun were included among the planets. See Jastrow, _Religion_ II p. 448 sq. and the article "Sign and Name for Planets in Babylonian" quoted in note 1 on p. 1. [34] See Jastrow _Religion_ II 845, 1 and 847, 68. [35] Cun. Texts XXVII Pl. 25-26 completed by the duplicate Pl. 27-28. [36] Shown by the continuation of the text. Cun. Texts XXVII Pl. 26. [37] I. e. twisted up in a heap. [38] An interpretation evidently based on the fact of a destructive storm that swept over the land after the birth of a monstrosity as described in the omen. [39] Three interpretations, gathered from various documents and here united. [40] Not infrequently a birth-omen is interpreted as applying to the owner of the mother lamb or to the household in which the lamb was born,--but generally as an alternative to an _official_ interpretation bearing on public affairs. See e. g. below pp. 15 and 16. [41] See below p. 16. [42] I. e., lying at the mouth. [43] I. e., presumably the plantation and house of the owner of the mother lamb. [44] The opposite to this is 'throne will support throne', i. e., there will be mutual support. [45] I. e., the stall of the owner of the mother lamb. [46] I. e., the property of the owner of the mother lamb will be confiscated. [47] I. e., the second issues from the belly of the other, or appears to do so. [48] Whatever occurred to the king or to a member of his household was an omen for the _general_ welfare under the ancient view of the king as the representative of the deity on earth. [49] A partial exception, however occurs in the case of three and of ten lambs being produced at one birth. See below p. 18. [50] I. e., of course, the head resembles that of a bull. See below p. 23 sq. and 27 sq. [51] I. e., with a normal head. [52] A variant reads, "the city will acquire sovereignty". [53] Cun. Texts XXVII Pl. 37-38 of which again Pl. 36 is an extract. [54] The term used throughout is =isbu= for which see above p. 13. [55] The unusual number of alternative interpretations--though all unfavorable--points to the compilation of the text from various sources in which the sign was again entered with a different interpretation in each. These varying interpretations are here united; and no doubt the priests felt that there was safety in numbers. One of the seven prognosticated events was quite certain to happen--at some time. The chief point was that the sign was unfavorable. [56] I. e., the stall of the owner of the mother lamb. [57] As above, an unofficial and an official interpretation. [58] I. e., displaced. [59] I. e., of Babylonia or Assyria.