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Ancient astrology

Author: Tamsyn Barton
Publisher: London ; New York : Routledge, 1994.
Series: Sciences of antiquity.
Edition/Format:   Book : EnglishView all editions and formats
Summary:
Most people today know their 'star-sign', but few know much of the system of thought which relates human destiny to the stars. Fewer still have any idea of its origins. This book reveals the importance of astrology in ancient thought, morals, politics and daily life. Tamsyn Barton first traces the history of the subject chronologically. She untangles the Babylonian, Egyptian and Greek threads which come together in
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Details

Document Type: Book
All Authors / Contributors: Tamsyn Barton
ISBN: 0415080665 9780415080668 0415110297 9780415110297
OCLC Number: 28927164
Description: xxv, 245 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.
Contents: 1. Historical Background: Mesopotamia, Egypt and Greece --
2. Greece and Rome --
3. The Triumph of Christianity --
4. The Principles of Astrology --
5. Astrological Practice: Casting a Horoscope --
6. The Social World of the Astrologers --
7. Reflections and Ramifications.
Series Title: Sciences of antiquity.
Responsibility: Tamsyn Barton.
More information:

Abstract:

Most people today know their 'star-sign', but few know much of the system of thought which relates human destiny to the stars. Fewer still have any idea of its origins. This book reveals the importance of astrology in ancient thought, morals, politics and daily life. Tamsyn Barton first traces the history of the subject chronologically. She untangles the Babylonian, Egyptian and Greek threads which come together in Greco-Roman astrology, discussing the astrological literature of each period. The book examines intellectual and popular reactions to astrology. It also reveals its political role in the Roman Empire - astrologers could set emperors on the throne or depose them. Astrology's battle with the early church and its eventual decline after the fifth century are also examined.

The remainder of the book looks at ancient astrology from a synchronic perspective. Dr Barton explains the principles of ancient astrology and brings the theory to life by interpreting the horoscope of Prince Charles according to the instructions of ancient treatises. The final section brings together a variety of evidence on the uses made of astrology in everyday life and discusses areas of knowledge related to astrology, from medicine and magic to Mithraic cult.

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