Babylonian Invention

2NUR-1 - Group 2 February 9, 2020
Abengaña, Rochelle Caroline V.

Abrigos, Ma. Christine Nicole A.
Acosta, Dahlia Dominique B.
Acosta, Hillary Joy I.
BABYLONIAN CIVILIZATION
1.) What is the invention?
The Babylonian Civilization has contributed numerous revolutionary inventions

and discoveries that gave rise to huge changes in the world. One of the significant
inventions during the Babylonian Civilization is the astrology and horoscope. Since
human beings associate the heavens with fear and admiration as well, they have believed
that astronomical bodies possess powers which would influence their daily lives. By
discerning the trails of stars, people started to predict certain patterns concerning the
future weather, climate, and other natural occurrences. Meanwhile, the Babylonians have
also constituted the zodiac by selecting twelve constellations (configurations of stars)
which would represent the celestial time.
2.) What are the precursors of your chosen invention? What tools existed prior
to it or how did people carry out activities before its invention?
Astronomy is basically the precursor of astrology. It was considered as the first

practice of science, since it was the first purpose for recording observations. The ancient
Babylonian astronomers were capable of monitoring the planets’ movements and
perceiving the constellations’ formations.
One of the tools that existed prior to astrology are the clay tablet records, where
people have kept account of all the motions and acquired new methods which can be
used to direct the locations of the celestial bodies. People tend to find it difficult to carry
out their daily activities before the introduction of astrology, especially in terms of their
work and harvestry. Astrology had turned out to be a convenient method for them to plan
and schedule their planting seasons, in contrast to the predicted time of natural
occurrences.
3.) What were the social, political, cultural, or economic contexts in which the
invention was made?
The position of the planets and the arrangement of stars were representations of the
gods. The locations of the planets would indicate where they are, etc. Back then, social
and political constructs were already in place. There was an already established political
system. A change in the appearance of the sky would indicate a need for a change in the
political system, whether it be the dynasty itself or the way of ruling.
The skies and the stars normally found use as compasses and wayfinders for
travelers, using the stars to guide their path towards their destination. Astrology and
Horoscopes, in a cultural context, were seen as signs from the Heavens, the decrees of
the Divine to guide the people through their lives. The position of celestial bodies were
correlated to the position of the gods themselves, according to the Sumerians. Though to
a lesser extent was also used as an indicator as of the various seasons, and/or events
such as the rise of Sirius the dog star being the time wherein the Nile river floods.
4.) What were the social, political, cultural, or economic impacts of your
chosen invention?
According to Pannekoek (2011), at the beginning, social life had a structure.

Society, state and church, religion, law and science were one unbroken unity. During the
Babylonian civilization, its history accompanies the development of mankind from its first
beginnings. Astrology was the practice of priests and was one of two ways that priests
could determine the will of the gods. Stars were one of the manifestations of the gods. In
addition, Gods were also present in their cult statues which stood in the temples. Prayers
can be addressed to gods in their astral appearance, and incantations make use of the
power of stars. These impacts have no influence of changes in astronomical knowledge
on such religious practices.
Before, there were no telescopes available. Therefore, only what can be seen with
the naked eye was accessible. Besides, there was no light pollution yet. Simple schematic
models for the movements of the celestial bodies were considered sufficient at that time.
Results taken from observations were not that significant.
In early times, intercalation was decided by the king and not the irregular. The
intercalation rules contained in Mul-Apin, the title given to Babylonian compendium that
deals with astrology and astronomy, would have resulted in more regular intercalation,
and it seems that to some extent these or similar rules were applied since the 7th century
BCE. At the latest around 500 BCE, a cycle of 19 years with 7 fixed intercalations was
introduced. From then on, intercalation was predictable.
The Babylonian calendar is not easily adapted to the solar year so that heliacal
risings of stars will not be in the same month every year. The Babylonian calendar utilizes
lunar months which start with the first visibility of the lunar crescent after its time of
invisibility. These months are either 29 or 30 days in length, and 12 months have around
354 days. Since such a year is 11 days shorter than a solar year, a month is included
when the seasons don't fit the calendar anymore.
During the Babylonian civilization, the astrologers observed the movements of the
celestial bodies and assigned godlike features and powers that they would eventually
follow to let them rule their lives. They used the patterns of the movements of the planets
and came up with the term omens. It is defined as the signs for understanding the future.
With the use of the concept of Divination, it was employed as a technique to communicate
with gods, who according to the Mesopotamian religious thought, shaped the destinies of
humans and controlled all events in the cosmos. They considered divination as an
important aspect of the way they lived.
Mul-Apin gives a list of how much water has to flow in or out of a water-clock to
measure the length of daylight which varies through the year. Another finding made by
archeologists that has amazed the world is a Babylonian record that says that a total Solar
eclipse on July 31, 1063 BC had turned the day into a night. Historians who have done
extensive research have gathered sufficient material facts and evidence to demonstrate
that the astronomers in ancient civilizations knew about the Solar system and stars almost
as much as unraveled by modern Astronomy so far.
There were no direct economic impacts that were stated but astrology and
horoscope greatly influenced people in believing in mystical cults, supernatural and
seeking help from divinity. People who are insecure, emotionally drained, socially and
economically inferior tend to rely on fortune tellers and astrologers. Astrology is
incorporated in horoscopes, tarot cards.
Astrology and horoscope, which originated during the Babylonian civilization, have
made a huge impact on our lives. Calendars are still being used until now. It helped us to
know the date easily without using celestial bodies anymore. Astrology and horoscopes
can be developed with the use of telescopes and other different advancements in
astronomical instruments. Although horoscopes are not practiced that often nowadays,
several people still believe in what the fortune-teller says what their future will be.
References:
Adhikari, S. (2019, November 20). Top 12 Inventions and Discoveries of Ancient

Babylonia. Retrieved from https://www.ancienthistorylists.com/mesopotamia-
history/inventions-ancient-babylonia/
Hays, J. (n.d.). BABYLONIAN AND MESOPOTAMIAN ASTROLOGY. Retrieved from

http://factsanddetails.com/world/cat56/sub402/entry-6063.html
Origin of Astronomy – precursor of Astrology. (2017, November 22). Retrieved from

http://www.dailymirror.lk/jyotisha-news/Origin-of-Astronomy-precursor-of-Astrology/312-
140856
Roberts, S. (2018, October 7). Babylonian Astrology: How Mesopotamian Priests

Influenced Your Horoscope. Retrieved from https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-
ancient-traditions/babylonian-astrology-0010806
(n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ac32
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1930JRASC..24..159P
(n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.iranchamber.com/calendar/articles/astrology_astronomy_iran_mesopotamia.
php

Babylonian Invention

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Babylonian Invention

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Babylonian Invention

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

2NUR-1 - Group 2 February 9, 2020

Abengaña, Rochelle Caroline V.

1.) What is the invention?

The Babylonian Civilization has contributed numerous revolutionary inventions

Astronomy is basically the precursor of astrology. It was considered as the first

According to Pannekoek (2011), at the beginning, social life had a structure.

Adhikari, S. (2019, November 20). Top 12 Inventions and Discoveries of Ancient

Hays, J. (n.d.). BABYLONIAN AND MESOPOTAMIAN ASTROLOGY. Retrieved from

Origin of Astronomy – precursor of Astrology. (2017, November 22). Retrieved from

Roberts, S. (2018, October 7). Babylonian Astrology: How Mesopotamian Priests

(n.d.). Retrieved from

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1930JRASC..24..159P

(n.d.). Retrieved from

You might also like