Synopses & Reviews
The Tetrabiblos of the famous astronomer and geographer Claudius Ptolemaeus (ca. 100178 CE) of Egypt consists of four books, the title given in some manuscripts meaning 'Mathematical Treatise in Four Books', in others 'The Prognostics addressed to Syrus'. The subject is astrology, which in Ptolemy's time as down to the Renaissance was fused as a respectable science with astronomy. Translations and commentaries are few, and only three Greek texts had been printed (all in the 16th century) before the present one and the one begun by F. Boll and finished by Emilie Boer in 1940.
Synopsis
In this treatise by the preeminent ancient astronomer, knowledge of the movement of the sun, moon, stars, and planets (studied in Ptolemy's < i="">
Synopsis
In Tetrabiblos, a core text in the history of astrology, the preeminent ancient astronomer Ptolemy (c. 100-178 CE) treats the practical use of astronomical knowledge: making predictions about individuals' lives and the outcome of human affairs.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Luminaries And Planets
The Signs Of The Zodiac
Book I
1. Introduction
2. That Knowledge By Astronomical Means Is Attainable, And How Far
3. That It Is Also Beneficial
4. Of The Power Of The Planets
5. Of Beneficent And Maleficent Planets
6. Of Masculine And Feminine Planets
7. Of Diurnal And Nocturnal Planets
8. Of The Power Of The Aspects To The Sun
9. Of The Power Of The Fixed Stars
10. Of The Effect Of The Seasons And Of The Four Angles
11. Of Solstitial, Equinoctial, Solid, And Bicorporeal Signs
12. Of Masculine And Feminine Signs
13. Of The Aspects Of The Signs
14. Of Commanding And Obeying Signs
15. Of Signs Which Behold Each Other And Signs Of Equal Power
16. Of Disjunct Signs
17. Of The Houses Of The Several Planets
18. Of The Triangles
19. Of Exaltations
20. Of The Disposition Of Terms
21. According To The Chaldaeans
22. Of Places And Degrees
23. Of Faces, Chariots, And The Like
24. Of Applications And Separations And The Other Powers
Book II
1. Introduction
2. Of The Characteristics Of The Inhabitants Of The General Climes
3. Of The Familiarities Between Countries And The Triplicities And Stars
4. Method Of Making Particular Predictions
5. Of The Examination Of The Countries Affected
6. Of The Time Of The Predicted Events
7. Of The Class Of Those Affected
8. Of The Quality Of The Predicted Event
9. Of The Colours Of Eclipses, Comets, And The Like
10. Concerning The New Moon Of The Year
11. Of The Nature Of The Signs, Part By Part, And Their Effect Upon The Weather
12. Of The Investigation Of Weather In Detail
13. Of The Significance Of Atmospheric Signs
Book III
1. Introduction
2. Of The Degree Of The Horoscofic Point
3. The Subdivision Of The Science Of Nativities
4. Of Parents
5. Of Brothers And Sisters
6. Of Males And Females
7. Of Twins
8. Of Monsters
9. Of Children That Are Not Reared
10. Of Length Of Life
11. Of Bodily Form And Temperament
12. Of Bodily Injuries And Diseases
13. Of The Quality Of The Soul
14. Of Diseases Of The Soul
Book IV
1. Introduction
2. Of Material Fortune
3. Of The Fortune Of Dignity
4. Of The Quality Of Action
5. Of Marriage
6. Of Children
7. Of Friends And Enemies
8. Of Foreign Travel
9. Of The Quality Of Death
10. Of The Division Of Times
Index