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How to cite: Cohen, Yoram, and Netanel Anor. "šulmu." Tomorrow Never knows. Last modified July 7, 2021. https://sites.google.com/view/tomorrow-never-knows/3d-models/liver-major-features/šulmu.
šulmu: The "well-being" or the "safety;" scientifically known as the "lobus quadratus."
1. Terminology
1. Terminology
Written by: Yoram Cohen (co-author Netanel Anor)
Based on: Anor, N. and Y. Cohen. (2018)
Updated: 20 July, 2021.
Table of Contents:
2. Discussion
2. Discussion
The part of the liver called the šulmu is usually termed in the literature as the ‘Well-being,’ and is identified with the lobus quadratus; De Vos (2013: 49–50). We assume, however, that the šulmu probably was named after a concrete part of the liver, like other parts, such as padānu, ‘Path’, nīrum, ‘Yoke’, ṣibtum, ‘Increment’, etc. We reach this assumption because in the oil omen compendia, the šulmu refers to a visible formation of the oil on the surface of the water-bowl.
Here are a few examples from the oil omens.
Pettinato (1966, vol. II), Text 1, no. 32:
šumma (šamnum) šulmam(silim) iddiamma u beli marṣum imât
‘If (the oil) produces a “bubble” and it dissolves, the sick man will die…’.
Heeßel (2012: 37), no. 1, ii, 49 (acc. to TCL 6, 3, l. 29):
šumma šulmu(silim) kīma naplašti u padāni šakin šulum(silimlum) napišti
‘If the šulmu lies like the “Viewer” and the “Path”, wholesomeness’.
Koch (2000: 344), no. 64, pān takalti, Tablet 6, l. 11:
šumma ina kibir šulmi(silim) pallurtu nadât ina eqli šalmi(silimmi) haṭṭu ana ummāni imaqqut
‘If a cross-shaped (incision) lies at the rim of the šulmu, terror will fall on the army in a safe area’.
The šulmu feature is usually translated as ‘bubble’, but once represented on the liver models, it looks like a furrow. Consider Goetze (1947: 7, and n. 42):
šulmum is uncertain even as to its primary meaning. The spelling by DI (Sum. siIim = Akk. šlm) cannot be considered sufficient proof that the word is etymologically connected with Akk. šlm " of good health." It may by mere accident be homonymous with šulmum "well-being." The customary translation "blister, vesicle " is based on an uncertain interpretation of the word šulmum in the oil omina. The context of the liver omina favors a position between the bāb ekallim and the gallbladder, close to the root of the latter. note: "It may be remarked here that the meanings of Arabic *talmum “notch, gap" and *ṯulmatum "notch, gap; breach, split, cleft" would fit in remarkably well with the mode of thinking practiced by the diviners of antiquity.
This was perhaps the original meaning of the word - a meaning which was eventually lost. On grounds of homophony, the object was linked to Akkadian šulmu, ‘well-being’. In the CAD/Š/3, sub šulmu (pp. 247 and 255), the šulmu is listed together with šulmu, ‘well-being’, but given its own definition as “a crease on the sheep’s liver”.
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