Abstract
This article considers the role of the astrologers in the Neo-Assyrian imperial rule by analyzing the astrological reports of the 7th century B.C. First, based on the formal analysis of the omens lists and the astrological reports, I found that the main purpose of these materials was rerecording the omens, which they considered to be the order divinely ordained in the distant past. Second, I examined the time relationship between when natural phenomenon occurred and when the astrologers interpreted them using the omen series by analyzing the verbal tenses of the records. I discovered that the astrologers interpreted the phenomenon not when they predicted them, but mainly when they actually observed them. This result would relate to the role of the Neo-Assyrian kings to control disorder and to restore the world order by following the gods. That is this analysis makes it clear that the astrology was used to ascertain the agreement between the actual world order and the divinely ordained order. The astrologers reported the confirmed matters to the kings, thus supporting the Neo-Assyrian imperial rule.
