The Double Eclipse at the Downfall of Old Babylon (2007.07141v1)

Abstract: For many decades scholars converse how to correctly include the Old Babylonian Empire into the absolute timeline of history. A cuneiform text from the series Enuma Anu Enlil (EAE #20) reports on the destruction of Babylon after a lunar and solar eclipse. Eclipses provide a great tool for examining historic events, and this account will be our basis for the investigation of eclipse pairs to be fitted into the various chronologies proposed. We consider three interpretations of that text: literal understanding, the inverted sequence of the two eclipse types, and a relocation of the setting to Akkad. All variants show imperfections. The least complications emerge when the account draws upon the third option, i.e. if it is allotted to 2161 BCE, as the year would mark the end of the Gutian rule in Akkad. But in any case the account seems to support rather the Long Chronology than any other. When dealing with eclipses such far back in time, we also allow for the shift of the visibility zone in regard to the irregular deceleration of Earth's rotation.

• The paper provides a novel analysis leveraging a double eclipse sequence from Enuma Anu Enlil to synchronize Babylonian chronology.
• The methodology evaluates multiple eclipse pairings and considers an inversion of eclipse types alongside a geographical narrative shift.
• Numerical results support the long chronology model by highlighting Earth’s rotational deceleration and its impact on dating historical events.

An Analysis of Astronomical Dating of Historical Events Using the Double Eclipse Phenomenon

This paper provides a focused investigation into the role of eclipses in establishing a historical chronology, particularly surrounding the downfall of the Old Babylonian Empire. The author, Emil Khalisi, embarks on the task of fitting an account of both lunar and solar eclipses into the existing historical framework. Specifically, the study leverages the eclipse narrative from the cuneiform text of Enuma Anu Enlil (EAE #20) as a tool for synchronizing Babylonian history with established timelines.

Historical Context and Chronological Challenges

The history of Mesopotamia is marked by complex chronological alignments, particularly concerning the Old and Neo-Babylonian periods. This complexity arises from variations in documented regnal periods, regional dynastic overlaps, and numerous endogenous and exogenous geopolitical influences. Existing chronologies are often patchworks of historical records coupled with astronomical and archaeological data, each offering divergent timelines. In academic discourse, the "choice of chronology" frequently emerges, with the long, middle, short, and ultra-short chronologies being principal frameworks.

In this study, the author critically analyzes EAE #20, which narrates a sequence of a lunar and a solar eclipse preluding Babylon's destruction, and examines this against known chronological models. The study introduces two alternative interpretations: an inversion of the sequence of eclipse types and the consideration of a geographic relocation of the historical narrative to Akkad instead of Babylon.

Numerical Results and Their Implications

Extensive analyses reveal several candidate eclipse pairs within the epoch 1800 to 1300 BCE, but each potential pairing encounters significant historical or astronomical inconsistencies. Analytical focus is drawn to the year 2161 BCE, which aligns better with historical narratives when considering the transfer of political power within Mesopotamia. This interpretation suggests an association with the end of Gutian domination in Akkad rather than the oft-assumed fall of Babylon.

Significantly, the research underscores the importance of Earth's irregular rotational deceleration (ΔT) when reconstructing eclipse visibility zones, advocating a necessity for flexible interpretations of paleochronological records. Furthermore, considering the reconstructed astronomical data, the study leans toward supporting the long chronology, challenging the prevailing preference for shorter timelines within historical analyses.

Broader Implications and Future Directions

This research elucidates the substantial variability and uncertainty inherent in historical astronomical chronologies, underscoring the necessity for multi-disciplinary corroboration. While the paper does not propose a novel chronology, it reinforces the hypothesis that astronomical phenomena, particularly eclipses, can cause shifts in historical alignment assumptions.

Future research may build on these findings by integrating advancements in dendrochronology and isotopic dating methods to further constrain regional chronologies. Additionally, the study's delineation of relocation of historical narratives invites further inquiry into the geo-political landscapes of the ancient Near East and their potential reassessments via astronomical back-analysis.

In conclusion, Khalisi’s work exemplifies the intersection of astronomy with historical inquiry, providing a meticulous recounting that invites further interdisciplinary exploration. Researchers in historical astronomy and ancient Near Eastern studies may find this approach particularly insightful for the ongoing refinement of historical timelines.