PHILOLOGICAL COMMENTARY

• Collation of manuscript K 03730+ shows that the fourth and fifth signs are written GÙN.A ‘variegated’ and are not the single sign SA₅ samû ‘red’ as read by If a City 2 (191, *32.12’, Ex(1); 166, *32.12’). Note, however, that in the Neo-Assyrian period, the signs GÙN.A and SU₄.A pelû ‘red-hued’ are graphic variants of each other (cf. Borger 2010, 84 and 641-42 signs 182 SU₄ and 183 DAR), resulting in difficulties in telling the signs apart. This ambiguity is reflected in the dictionaries where the above omen is translated with ‘red lizard’ in CAD P, 319 s.v. pelû 1d. For a discussion on the two redish colors pelû and samû, see Thavapalan (2021, 128-133 and 141–53).

Finally, collation also shows remnants of a broken sign after NA, at the beginning of the break, not read in If a City 2. The head of a diagonal wedge and a horizontal wedge are visible. We reconstruct to read Š[UB ‘to fall’ from 32.N.14. It is a common verb in lizard omen protases.

While the break is relatively large and easily leaves enough room for an expanded protasis, the above protasis may be complete after ŠUB-ut. See also 32.N.14.

• This is a positive omen that appears to be thematically linked to 32.N.14 and has the same apodosis as 32.N.17.