The Corpus of Hittite Divinatory Texts (HDivT)

Digital Edition and Cultural Historical Analysis

Birgit Christiansen

Citatio: Andrea Trameri (Hrsg.), hethiter.net/: CTH 573.36 (INTR 2025-08-08)


CTH 573.36

Two bird oracle reports

introductio



Short description

This short text, perhaps consisting only of two paragraphs, contains two bird oracle reports.

In fact, the reverse, according to the edition in KBo 48, was not inscribed. A blank paragraph follows the second report in the obverse until the tablet breaks, thus it is uncertain whether the text continued further after this blank space, or it is to be considered complete as such. In neither paragraph is the end of the text preserved. Thus, we do not know if the tablet contained, as one expects, the oracular response by the augur. If this was not written, then the text only contained the recording of the bird flights without their interpretation.

Texts

Manuscript AKBo 48.241027/uUnterstadt

Literature from the Konkordanz

  • D. Groddek, DBH 38, 2012: 15f.
  • Y. Sakuma, Diss., 2009: II 508-510

History of publication

Handcopy: Ch. Rüster (KBo 48, Otten H. – Rüster C. – Wilhelm G. 2007a).

Edition: Sakuma Y. 2009b, II, 508-510. Transliteration in Groddek D. 2012b, 15-16.

Tablet characteristics

Fragment of the upper portion of a small, single-column tablet, preserved for approximately half of its length and width. Inscribed with only two paragraphs, although it is possible that the lost lower part, after a blank section, was also inscribed.

Palaeography and handwriting

NS (jh.); diagnostic signs: LI. However: old forms of TA, TAR (MS).

Overview of contents

Section 1ID=1(§1) First report
Section 2ID=2(§2) Second report
Editio ultima: 2025-08-08