Introduction: globalisation of knowledge -- The Uruk taxonomy (SBTU I 43) -- Uruk astral magic (BRM 4 20 and BRM 4 19) -- The Neo-Assyrian precursor: before the zodiac -- Ancient Aramaic and Greek parallels -- Astrological interpretation of SBTU I 43 -- Melothesia -- Concluding hypothesis -- Appendix: modern reflections.