Characterizing Lucian's De astrologia

Mnemosyne, 2022

The present paper investigates the contributions of the astrological author Julianus of Laodicea. The authenticity of a work ascribed to him is re-examined, the genuine fragments are collected and evaluated, and possible further traces of his work in later literature are explored to correct and update his scholarly image. In an appendix, a critical edition of F18 is offered.

Exploring the Influence of Roman Astrology on Ancient Civilizations, 2023

During the height of the Roman Empire, astrology was a prevalent form of fortune-telling. Astrologers influenced a wide variety of decisions in Roman society, from whom to trust among family members to strategies in times of war (Taylor Kennedy, 2012). This history of decision-making based on astrological predictions has had various impacts on broader Roman society that are noteworthy. Further, as the Roman Empire expanded, Roman astrological practices and beliefs were spread throughout western Europe, North Africa, and the Near East. Understanding the influence of Roman astrology on various ancient civilizations is thus integral to understanding the worldviews of several of the most well-known empires in antiquity. Overall, a distinct view of the daily lives and decision-making strategies of people living before the advent of modern science is presented.

INITIATIC RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE IN NEOPLATONISM. From Late Antiquity To The Renaissance. Edited by Andreea-Maria Lemnaru, Luciano Albanese, José-Maria Zamora Calvo and Giuseppe Muscolino. Mimesis International. , 2023

It is necessary that I speak astrologically about the rising and the setting of the Sun and the stars … to exhibit publicly all the constellations of the zodiacal wheel … whose names are this: Ram, Bull, Twins, Crab, Lion, Virgin… Proclus, Ouranodromou, f. 11. the wisdom of the Chaldeans, a polytheist and singular human group, they are full of piety and practice astrology more than anyone M. Psellus, Scripta minora I, 446, 8-10.

in S.J. Green and K. Volk (eds.), Forgotten Stars: Rediscovering Manilius’ Astronomica, Oxford: 120-38, 2011

If Manilius" Astronomica has suffered an unfavourable modern reception, especially from the Anglophone world, it is largely due to the complexity of its astrological instruction. As a selfconsciously didactic poem, following a long tradition of Greek and Roman poetry which purports to teach a specific skill, philosophy or way of life to a less-specialised, "student" audience, the reader is led to expect a lesson which is accessible to the average learner. 2 But this is not the case with Manilius. Those readers who approach the text with a certain eagerness for the topic but without detailed astrological knowledge and, as such, slip into the role of the "model" student constructed in the text, have often found Manilius" teachings very tough to chew. Those who approach the text with knowledge of astrology have (also) found it strewn with astrological errors.

Early Science and Medicine, 2021

Ptolemy’s Tetrabiblos is not usually considered as a meteorological text. I examine the sections of the Tetrabiblos that deal with weather prediction and argue that Ptolemy considers it part of astrology. I show that the way Ptolemy categorises weather prediction differs significantly from other Greco-Roman writers, including Cicero (On Divination) and Sextus Empiricus (Against the Astrologers). I argue for these conclusions: first, that Ptolemy considers weather prediction to be part of astrology – i.e., a scientific practice which includes giving an account of the causes of phenomena with reference to the stars; to give such an account for the weather requires a practitioner to go beyond the observation and cataloguing of weather signs. Secondly, I argue that understanding weather prediction as astrology means that the distinction between horoscopic and general astrology is more fluid than is sometimes thought. Finally, I will show that Ptolemy’s views on weather prediction provid...

Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld …, 2010

The article focuses on the interpretation of some difficult astrological passages in the Acta Sebastiani written in mid-fifth century by Arnobius the Younger, and tries to clarify their meaning. The first analysed and interpreted passage deals with the so-called "cubiculum holovitreum" (astronomical chamber), the second with a falsehood contained in all astrology (Acta Sebast. 16,54-56). In the final part of the article, the dependence of Acta Sebastini on the Pseudo-Clement´s of Rome Recognitiones is proved.

Preprint version of my essay in the proceedings of the conference "Cultural Encounters: Tensions and Polarities of the Transmission from the Late Middle Ages to the Enlightenment' held at the Warburg Institute, University of London (17 November 2016).

2001

Manuel Komnenos I, Emperor of the Byzantine Empire composed a defence of astrology to the Church Fathers, in which he asserted that this discipline was compatible with Christian doctrine. Theologian Michael Glykas, possibly imprisoned and blinded by Manuel for political sedition, refuted this defence, claiming that the astrological art was heretical. This is the first time that this exchange of treatises has been translated into any language since their composition in the twelfth-century. The introduction sets these works into their historical framework, at a time when the belief in the validity of astrology was held by some of the best scholars of this century as a result of the flood of Arabic astrological translations coming into the Latin West and Greek East. The writings of these two antagonists precipitated anew in mediaeval thought the problem of the correct relationship between man, the celestial bodies and God who dwelled in Heaven.

Hellenistic Astrology: The Study of Fate and Fortune, 2017

Hellenistic astrology is a tradition of horoscopic astrology that was practiced in the Mediterranean region from approximately the first century BCE until the seventh century CE. It is the source of many of the modern traditions of astrology that still flourish around the world today, although it is only recently that many of the surviving texts of this tradition have become available again to study. Hellenistic Astrology: The Study of Fate and Fortune is the first comprehensive survey of this tradition in modern times. The book covers the history, philosophy, and techniques of ancient astrology, with a special focus on demonstrating how many of the fundamental concepts underlying the practice of western astrology originated during the Hellenistic period. For more information about the book visit: http://www.hellenisticastrology.com/book/

2018

The paper discusses the role and importance of the cities of Athens and Rome in Lucian’s oeuvre as well as his own place (as an ‘outsider’) in them.

‘The Libri Philosophorum and Augustine’s Conversions’ in T. Finan and V. Twomey eds, The Relationship Between Neoplatonism and Christianity (Four Courts Press, Dublin 1992), 101-125.

Astrology had a high impact on various spiritual and quasi-religious trends in the beginning of the Roman Empire. At these times, a well-known character of Tiberius’ ruling was the lawsuits on matters of treason (crimen laesae maiestatis). An atmosphere of fear and distrust was common within the executive layer of society, while the opposition of the emperor was either destroyed or buried in silence. By means of four trial cases concerning astrology that took place in the period discussed (14–37), I aim to reveal the characteristics of the political fights that lurk beneath these treason trials (Libo Drusus, Aemilia Lepida, Claudia Pulchra and Mamercus Scaurus). The paper also attempts to give an insight into the political aspects of these events and explore parallels that can be drawn, and specific traits that may be found in these different cases. An important part of this investigation will be to question the extent of the princeps’ involvement in the trials.

Aramaic Studies, 2014

Astrology is often depicted as antagonistic towards official religion. However, we find indications hidden in the technical texts themselves that seem to reveal the contrary. This article will concentrate on Aramaic astrology and divination and try to unfold formulas and practices that are typical for this and neighboring genres. These stylistic devices will moreover be identified as rhetorical strategies employed as a type of propaganda.