Claudius Ptolemy (c. 90–168 AD)
Claudius Ptolemy (c. 90–168 AD) was a Greco-Roman scientist, geographer, and astronomer. He is best known for his work on the geography of the ancient world, such as his map of the known world (the Geography) and his astronomical treatise, the Almagest. Ptolemy’s work was used as a basis for much of the scientific knowledge of the ancient world until the 16th century. He is also credited with making important contributions to mathematics, cartography, trigonometry, and optics.
Claudius Ptolemy is widely credited as the founder of astrology. He wrote the book Tetrabiblos, which was one of the most influential texts on the astrology of the time. This book is still used today by many astrologers and is considered a foundational text for astrological study. Ptolemy’s work focused on the relationship between planets, stars, and other celestial bodies, and their influence on human life. He believed that the movements of the planets and stars had an influence on a person’s character, health, and destiny. Ptolemy’s writings have been used as the basis for modern astrologers to develop their theories and practice astrology.
Critical Editions:
Festugière, A.J. (1942). 14. Claudii Ptolemaei opera quae exstant omnia. Volumen III, 1 Ἀποτελεσματικά ediderunt F. Boll et Ae. Boer. Leipzig, Teubner, 1940. >>
Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos, ed. and trans. F. E. Robbins, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 1940 (repr. 2001). >>
Bibliography:
Ashmand, J. M. (trans.). Ptolemy’s Tetrabiblos, or Quadripartite: Being Four Books of the Influence of the Stars. Davis and Dickson, London, 1822. >>
Cornelius, Geoffrey. The Moment of Astrology: Origins in Divination. Penguin Arkana, London, 1994 (rev. ed. Wessex Astrologer, Bournemouth, 2002). >>
Hamilton, N. T., N. M. Swerdlow, and G. J. Toomer. “The Canobic Inscription: Ptolemy’s Earliest Work” in From Ancient Omens to Statistical Mechanics: Essays on the Exact Sciences Presented to Asger Aaboe. Ed. J. L. Berggren and B. R. Goldstein, University Library, Copenhagen, 1987, pgs. 55-73. >>
Holden, James Herschel. A History of Horoscopic Astrology. American Federation of Astrologers, Tempe, AZ, 1996. >>
Schmidt, Robert (trans.) and Robert Hand (ed.). Claudius Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos, Book I. The Golden Hind Press, Berkeley Springs, WV, 1994. >>
Whalley, John (trans.). Ptolemy’s Quadripartite, or Four Books concerning the Influences of the Stars. London, 1701. >>
