[515] Four volumes comprising several hundred letters have already appeared under the title, _Assyrian Letters of the K. Collection_ (London, 1896). For a good summary of the character of the Assyrian epistolary literature, see Johnston's article in the _Journal of the American Oriental Society_, xviii. 1, pp. 125-134. [516] Harper, no. 77. [517] _E.g._, Knudtzon, no. 124. [518] Zimmern, _Busspsalmen_, p. 32. The popularity of the sun-cult in Assyria in connection with omens and oracles is probably due also in part to the influence of Marduk, who was, as we have seen, a solar deity. [519] Lehman, _Samassumukin_, p. 42. [520] See Ploss, _Das Weib_, pp. 594-606; also above, p. 267. [521] IVR. pl. 61. [522] _I.e._, Ishtar sends the wind with a clear message. [523] 3d month. [524] Perhaps a proverbial phrase, having the force of 'I nurture thee as thy own mother did.' [525] Constituting the host of Ishtar, which is elsewhere referred to, _e.g._, IVR. 2d Ed. pt. 61, col. i. 27. [526] Lit., 'the future or later things like the former.' [527] Published by S. A. Strong, _Beitraege zur Assyriologie_, ii. 627-33. [528] The opening lines, containing a reference to the Gimirrites, are imperfectly preserved. [529] _I.e._, he is the greatest scion of the reigning dynasty. [530] 'Lord of the court'--a title of Ashur. [531] As a protection, just as Jahwe appears in a pillar of cloud to protect his people. [532] IVR. 2d Ed. 61, col. vi. 47-52. [533] See I Kings, xxii. 23. [534] Strong, _Beitraege zur Assyriologie_, ii. 628, 629. [535] Published and translated by S. A. Strong, _Transactions of the Ninth International Oriental Congress_ (1893), ii. 199-208. [536] Supplied from the context, through comparison with similar compositions. [537] Lit., 'my soul cannot overcome.' [538] The composition continues in this strain, Ashurbanabal and Nabu speaking alternately. [539] See Tiele, _Babyl.-Assyr. Geschichte_, pp. 371 _seq_. [540] George Smith, _Annals of Ashurbanabal_, p. 121. [541] Rassam Cylinder, VR. col. v. ll. 95-103. [542] George Smith, _Annals of Ashurbanabal_, pp. 119-121. [543] With maternal kindness. [544] Lit., 'look up.' [545] Rassam Cylinder, col ii. ll. 98 _seq._ [546] _Ib._ col. iii. ll. 122-124. [547] _E.g._, IVR. 59, no. 2, 21b. CHAPTER XX. VARIOUS CLASSES OF OMENS.