Cuntas constelaciones existen?

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PUBLICADO POR:RENE RAITERI

SHADOWXFOX/WIKIMEDIA

El hombre desde la antigedad, a travs de la recurrente observacin de los fenmenos

astronmicos, dibuj formas en el cielo que lo guiaron durante siglos a travs de los
mares y ocanos, desiertos y montaas. Cuntas constelaciones existen tomando en
cuenta que las distintas culturas han dibujado el cielo segn su cultura?

A la actualidad, se han logrado identificar 88 constelaciones que combinan los puntos

brillantes del cielo nocturno para formar las diferentes figuras. Muchas veces, estos
puntos son estrellas o planetas distantes ente s por cientos de aos luz.

Los primeros trazos sobre el cielo los dieron las civilizaciones antiguas que habitaban
el Medio Oriente y el Mediterrneo utilizando estas figuras nocturnas como cartas de
navegacin. Las constelaciones se pueden dividir enSeptentrionales y Australes,
ubicndose las primeras al Norte del Ecuador Celeste y las ltimas al Sur del mismo.

El mayor aporte para que hoy contemos con una respuesta tan exacta lo realiz el
astrnomo Belga Eugne J. Delporte.

Un dato muy importante para destacar es que casi no hay correspondencias entre la
forma de clasificar las constelaciones desde el occidentalismo (basado en la astronoma
griega), el hinduismo y la cultura China, aunque los descubrimientos astronmicos
fueron contemporneos y paralelos para todas las culturas.
La astronoma china, la ms antigua, realiza sus clculos dibujando en el mapa celeste
31 regiones en las que se encuentran 3 recintos y 28 mansiones, los cuales se dividen en
306 asterismos.

La Hind, denomina a sus constelaciones Nakshatra o Mansiones Lunares, son 27,

regidas tambin por el perodo orbital de la Luna. Cada Nakshatra predomina en el cielo
un da aproximadamente.

Cuantas constelaciones hay y

cuales son sus nombres?
me atrae el cielo y las estrellas y me gustaria saber el nombre de
sus constelaciones
Seguir
4 respuestas
Notificar abuso

Respuestas
Calificacin

Mejor respuesta: Las constelaciones

Las antiguas civilizaciones sugirieron formas y figuras en el cielo

para identificar la distribucin observada de las estrellas; esas
formas fueron tanto de animales y seres mitolgicos, como de
objetos de uso cotidiano. Se las llam constelaciones y actualmente
resultan un esquema til para delimitar una zona del cielo.
Hoy se consideran 88 constelaciones, es decir, la bveda celeste se
ha subdividido en 88 sectores definidos; a cada una le corresponde
una determinada regin del cielo: hay constelaciones visibles desde
ambos hemisferios de la Tierra y otras observables slo desde uno
de ellos.
Entre las constelaciones ms conocidas se hallan las que se
encuentran proyectando el plano de la rbita de la Tierra sobre el
fondo de las estrellas fijas: son las constelaciones del Zodaco. Por
fuera de la banda zodiacal, algunas muy conocidas son Cruz del
Sur (visible desde nuestro hemisferio) y Osa Mayor (visible desde el
hemisferio Norte), ya que las mismas permiten ubicar la posicin de
importantes puntos de referencia (polo sur y norte celestes,
respectivamente).
La constelacin que ocupa ms superficie en la esfera celeste es la
de Hydra (unos 1.303 grados2); contiene 68 estrellas visibles a
simple vista. La Cruz del Sur, por su parte, es la constelacin ms
pequea.
Comnmente se indica la posicin de astros y de fenmenos
astronmicos con respecto a la constelacin donde aparecen. Por
ejemplo "alfa Centauro" identifica la estrella ms brillante de la
constelacin del Centauro.
Denominar la estrella como "Alfa" es nombrar a la primera letra del
alfabeto griego (); los astrnomos incorporaron la secuencia de este
abecedario como una escala de brillos aparentes de las estrellas.
Alfa () es la ms luminosa, luego le sigue Beta (), y as
consecutivamente. En general, las estrellas ms luminosas tambin
han recibido nombre propio, como Sirio ( Canis Majoris).
Cuando se trata de estrellas menos brillantes, en general son
indicadas por un nmero, por ejemplo "35 Cefeo". Por otra parte, si
la estrella es variable (su brillo no es uniforme con el correr de los
das) entonces lleva una o dos letras antes del nombre de la
constelacin a la cual pertenece (por ejemplo "RR Tauro"); algunas
variables llevan un nmero luego de las letras.
El nmero total de estrellas que pueden observarse en todo el cielo
en condiciones ideales de observacin desde el nivel del mar, sin
luz artificial y en una noche sin luna, alcanza hasta magnitud 6,5.
Durante todo un ao hay alrededor de 10.000 estrellas en esas
condiciones; esto es sin considerar el efecto de abosorcin
atmosfrica de la luz en las cercanas del horizonte. Desde un lugar
elevado sobre la superficie terrestre, como una montaa a 2000
metros de altura el nmero puede ser varias veces mayor. Sin
embargo, para un observador en un lugar dado no es posible ver
todas las estrellas del cielo al mismo tiempo.
Debe considerarse la ubicacin de ese observador en la superficie
de la tierra; si estuviese ubicado en el ecuador terrestre vera
muchas ms estrellas que en cualquier otro lugar del globo, ya que
alcanzara a a ver todas las estrellas de los dos hemisferios
celestes. Para cualquier otra latitud, sur o norte, muchas estrellas
son permanentemente invisibles, y muchas otras, si bien aparecen
sobre el horizonte, no son visibles por efecto de la absorcin
atmosfrica.
Para un observador en una latitud intermedia (por ejemplo: =-30
grados), el nmero total de estrellas que se pueden ver a lo largo
del ao, hasta una magnitud lmite de 5,5 , es de unas 2.000
estrellas; pero si consideramos un lugar no necesariamente de
buena calidad de visualizacin, aunque con muy poca luz artificial, y
con una magnitud lmite de unas 4 magnitudes, el nmero de
estrellas observables a lo largo del ao no alcanza a unas 400.

Nombre oficial Traduccin

Andromeda Andrmeda
Antlia Bomba de aire
Apus Ave del Paraso
Aquila guila
Ara Altar
Aries Carnero
Auriga Cochero
Botes Boyero
Caelum Cincel
Camelopardus Jirafa
Cancer Cangrejo
Canes Venatici Perros de caza
Canis Maior Can mayor
Canis Minor Can menor
Capricornus Capricornio
Carina Quilla
Cassiopeia Casiopea
Centaurus Centauro
Cepheus Cefeo
Cetus Ballena
Chamaeleon Camalen
Circinus Compases
Columba Paloma
Coma Berenices Cabellera de Berenice
Corona Australis Corona austral
Corona Borealis Corona boreal
Corvus Cuervo
Crater Copa
Crux Cruz del Sur
Cygnus Cisne
Delphinus Delfn
Dorado Pez espada
Draco Dragn
Equuleus Caballito
Eridanus Ro
Fornax Horno
Gemini Gemelos
Grus Grulla
Hercules Hrcules
Horologium Reloj
Hydra Hidra
Hydrus Serpiente de agua
Indus Indio
Lacerta Lagarto
Leo Len
Leo Minor Len menor
Lepus Liebre
Libra Balanza
Lupus Lobo
Lynx Lince
Lyra Lira
Mensa Mesa
Microscopium Microscopio
Monoceros Unicornio
Musca Mosca
Norma Escuadra
Octans Octante
Ophiuchus Serpentario u Ofiuco
Orion Orin (el Cazador)
Pavo Pavo real
Pegasus Pegaso
Perseus Perseo
Phoenix Fnix
Pictor Pintor
Pisces Peces
Piscis Austrinus Pez austral
Puppis Popa
Pyxis Brjula
Reticulum Retculo
Sagitta Flecha
Sagittarius Sagitario
Scorpius Escorpin
Sculptor Escultor
Scutum Escudo
Serpens Caput Serpiente (cabeza)
Serpens Cauda Serpiente (cola) Serpentis Ser
Sextans Sextante
Taurus Toro
Telescopium Telescopio
Triangulum Tringulo
Triangulum Australe Tringulo Austral
Tucana Tucn
Ursa Maior Osa Mayor
Ursa Minor Osa Menor
Vela Velas
Virgo Virgen
Volans Pez volador
Vulpecula Zorrilla

Uranometria

Grabado de Uranometria correspondiente a la constelacinOrin,

cortesa de la biblioteca delObservatorio Naval de los Estados Unidos
Uranometria es la versin corta del ttulo del atlas estelar producido por el abogado y
astrnomo alemn Johann Bayer a comienzos del siglo XVII. Este trabajo fue publicado
por primera vez en Augsburgo, Alemania, en 1603 por Christophorus Mangus, bajo el
ttulo Uranometria: omnium asterismorum continens schemata, nova methodo delineata,
aereis laminis expressa ("Uranometra, conteniendo las cartas de todas las constelaciones,
delineadas usando un nuevo mtodo y grabadas en placas de cobre"). El nombre
de Uranometra deriva del nombre griego para la "musa de los cielos", Urania, y o
(uranos), palabra griega que significa 'cielo'. Literalmente,uranometra significa 'medicin
del cielo'.
Este fue el primer atlas en cubrir toda la esfera celeste. Un total de 51 pginas fueron
originalmente grabadas en placas de cobre por Alexander Mair (1562 y 1617). Las
primeras 48 representaban las 48 constelaciones de Claudio Ptolomeo (publicadas en
el Almagesto, obra del siglo II); la pgina 49 introduca 12 constelaciones nuevas,
delineadas para el hemisferio sur celeste (regin a las que Ptolomeo no tuvo acceso desde
su localidad), y las restantes contenan dos planisferios, rotulados comoSynopsis coeli
superioris borea (vista del hemisferio norte) y Synopsis coeli inferioris austrina (vista del
hemisferio sur).
Cada placa incluye una rejilla para determinar la posicin de cada estrella con precisin de
fracciones de grado. Las posiciones utilizadas por Bayer fueron extradas del catlogo
expandido del astrnomo dans Tycho Brahe, que inclua 1.005 estrellas. Dicho catlogo
circulaba en manuscrito desde 1598, y estaba disponible de forma grfica en los globos
celestes de Petrus Plancius, Jodocus Hondius y Blaeu. Adems, fue publicado a manera
de tabla por primera vez en el trabajo de Johannes Kepler, Tabulae Rudolphinae (1627).
El uso del catlogo de Brahe ofreci mayor precisin que el de Ptolomeo, el cual era un
tanto ms limitado. El total de estrellas incluidas en Uranometria ascendi a 1.200, lo que
indica que el trabajo de Brahe no fue la nica fuente. Bayer tom las posiciones de las
estrellas del hemisferio sur del catlogo del navegante holands Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser,
quien haba corregido las observaciones anteriores de Amrico Vespucio y Andrea Corsali,
as como los reportes de Pedro de Medina. Del trabajo de Keyser, Bayer adopt doce
constelaciones:

Apus, el ave del Paraso

Tucana, el tucn
Grus, la grulla
Phoenix, el ave fnix
Dorado, el pez dorado Coryphaena_hippurus
Volans, el pez volador
Hydrus, la hidra macho
Chamaeleon, el camalen
Musca, la mosca
Triangulum Australe, el tringulo del sur
Indus, el indio americano
Pavo, el pavo real
An cuando Uranometria inclua ms estrellas que cualquier otro catlogo anterior, el
nmero exacto est en disputa, pues no todas las estrellas en las placas estn
identificadas.
Las estrellas de cada constelacin estn sobrepuestas a una imagen grabada del tema de
la constelacin. Por razones desconocidas, muchas de las que corresponden a figuras
humanas estn dibujadas de espaldas al observador, como si estuvieran mirando hacia
la Tierra. Esta peculiaridad caus cierta confusin en cuanto al significado de los nombres
de algunas estrellas. Por ejemplo, la etimologa de algunos nombres se referan
especficamente al "hombro derecho", pero se ven en posicin equivocada en las
ilustraciones de Uranometria.
Uranometria introdujo la designacin de Bayer, en uso an hoy en da. Tambin introdujo
varias constelaciones modernas.

Tetrabiblos
De Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre

Tetrabiblos (Quadripartitum)
 Pgina Apertura de Tetrabiblos: reproduccin
de Amrica del siglo 15 de la traduccin del
siglo 12 de Platn de Tvoli; publicada en
Venecia por Erhard Ratdolt de 1484.

Autor Claudio Ptolomeo

Titulo original Apotelesmatika

idioma griego

Sujeto Astrologa

Fecha de publicacin Segundo siglo

Quadripartitum, 1622
Tetrabiblos () 'cuatro libros ", tambin conocidas
en griego comoApotelesmatik ()" Efectos ", y
en Amrica comoQuadripartitum" cuatro partes ", es un texto sobre la filosofa y la
prctica dela astrologa, escrito en el siglo segundo dC por el alejandrino erudito Claudio
Ptolomeo (c. 90 dC c. AD 168).
De Ptolomeo Almagesto fue un texto de referencia en la astronoma por ms de mil aos, y
el Tetrabiblos, su volumen compaero, fue igualmente influyente en la astrologa, el
estudio de los efectos de los ciclos astronmicos en los asuntos terrenales. Pero mientras
que el Almagesto como una autoridad astronmica fue sustituido por la aceptacin
del modelo heliocntrico del Sistema Solar, el Tetrabiblos sigue siendo un importante
trabajo terico para la astrologa.
Adems de esbozar las tcnicas de la prctica astrolgica, defensa filosfica de Ptolomeo
del sujeto como un estudio natural, beneficioso ayud a asegurar la tolerancia teolgica
hacia la astrologa en Europa Occidental durante lapoca medieval. Esto permiti que las
enseanzas de Ptolomeo en la astrologa que se incluirn en las universidades durante
el Renacimiento, que trajo un impacto asociado en estudios mdicos y obras literarias. De
pie intelectual del libro se haba derrumbado a fines del siglo 17, cuando la obra de
Ptolomeo y los principios que presentan las crticas caras de estar pasado de moda y
basado en la supersticin.
La importancia histrica de los Tetrabiblos es visto por los muchos comentarios antiguos,
medievales y renacentistas que se han publicado sobre el tema. Fue copiado, coment,
parafraseado, abreviada y traducida a muchos idiomas. La ltima edicin crtica griega, de
Wolfgang Hbner, fue publicada porTeubner en 1998.

Contenido
[hide]
 1Informacin general e influencia
2Ttulo y fecha de composicin
3Libro I: principios y tcnicas
o 3.1captulos de apertura
3.1.1argumentos filosficos de Ptolomeo
o 3.2Introduccin de los principios
4Libro II: la astrologa mundana
o 4.1El uso de los eclipses
5Libro III: horscopos individuales (influencias genticas y
predisposiciones)
6Libro IV: horscopos individuales (alteraciones externas)
7Ediciones y transmisin
o 7.1traducciones rabes
o 7.2ediciones Parfrasis
o 7.3manuscritos griegos
8textos asociados
o 8.1Comentario
o 8.2Centiloquium
9Vase tambin
10Notas al pie
11Obras citadas
12Lectura adicional
13Enlaces externos

Informacin general e influencia [editar]

"S que soy mortal, la criatura de un da, pero cuando exploro los cursos
sinuosos de las estrellas ya no toco con mis pies la Tierra: Estoy de pie
cerca de Zeus mismo, beber mi terrapln de Ambrosia, la comida de los
dioses."
Ptolomeo, Antologa Palatina, 9.577. [1]

Ptolomeo se refiere como "el ms famoso de los astrlogos griegos" [2] y "una autoridad
pro-astrolgica de la ms alta magnitud". [3] Como fuente de referencia de
su Tetrabiblos se describe como teniendo "disfrutaron de casi la autoridad de un Biblia
entre los escritores astrolgicos de mil o ms aos ". [4] Compilado enAlejandra en el siglo
segundo, el trabajo se reunieron comentarios al respecto de su primera publicacin. [2] Fue
traducido al rabe en el siglo noveno, y es descrito como "de lejos la fuente ms influyente
de la astrologa medieval islmica". [5]
Con la traduccin de los Tetrabiblos al latn en el siglo 12 ", de Ptolomeo astrologa" se
integr por Alberto Magno y Toms de Aquino en la Edad
Media cristiana doctrina. [6] Esta teolgica aceptacin alent a la enseanza de la
ptolemaica astrologa en las universidades, a menudo vinculados a estudios mdicos
. Esto, a su vez, llam la atencin sobre las obras literarias, como Dante 's, que ayudaron a
dar forma a la moral, religioso y cosmolgico paradigma de Europa Occidental durante
la poca medieval. [6] El Tetrabiblos fue en gran parte responsable de que se establecen
los preceptos bsicos de la Renacimiento astrologa, [7] y era un libro de texto necesario en
algunas de las mejores universidades del Renacimiento y la Europa moderna. [3]

Grabado en madera del siglo 16 que representa a

Ptolomeo, de Les vrais retratos et vies des hommes illustres, Pars,
1584, f 87.
Astrologa ptolemaica continu siendo enseado en las universidades europeas en el siglo
17, [3] pero en el siglo de mid-17th estudio luchado por mantener su posicin como uno de
los respetados ciencias liberales. [8] En este momento, el contenido de
la Tetrabibloscomenz a llamar la estigmatizacin como parte de "un arte diablico de la
adivinacin". Un crtico del siglo 17 era escribir de su tema: "ningn arte supersticioso es
ms apto para reenviar los objetivos del diablo que la astrologa de Tolomeo".
El prestigio intelectual de la astrologa se derrumb rpidamente a finales del siglo 17, pero
el impacto histrico de los Tetrabiblos sobre la cultura mundial sigue manteniendo con la
atencin de los estudiosos de la filosofa clsica y de la historia de las ciencias en la
antigedad. [9] Tambin mantiene su posicin como un libro de texto influyente para los
practicantes de la astrologa occidental moderna, y las traducciones al ingls del texto
fueron publicados por los astrlogos en el siglo 20 18, 19 y. [10] El siglo vigsimo
tempranoHumanista astrlogo Dane Rudhyar inform de que la astrologa de su poca
"originado casi por completo en el trabajo del astrlogo de Alejandra, Claudio
Ptolomeo". [11] A pesar del siglo 21 libros de textos astrolgicos han descrito
el Tetrabiblos como "sin duda, indispensable para cualquier estudiante serio de la
astrologa". [12]
Significado duradero de la obra se atribuye a varios factores: la reputacin de Ptolomeo
como uno de los ms grandes filsofos y cientficos del mundo antiguo, [13] importancia
astrolgica del texto como uno de los manuales completos ms antiguos sobre el
tema, [14] y el orden sin precedentes y la calidad de las explicaciones astrolgicas de
Ptolomeo. [15]
La "marca destacada de la astrologa de Tolomeo" se describe como "informada por el
espritu filosfico y cientfico de su poca". [16] Ptolomeo escribi en una poca en la
"fsica" fue definido por la filosofa, y su cuenta de los efectos estelares se expres en
trminos de las cuatro cualidades aristotlicas (calientes, fros, hmedos y secos)
establecidos contra la nocin filosfica de la unidad universal y la armona csmica. [17] Su
objetivo fue explicar la razn de ser de la astrologa en tales trminos, por lo que el trabajo
tambin es notable por su despido de prcticas astrolgicas que carecen de una base
astronmica directa: [18]
En cuanto a la tontera de la que muchos pierda su trabajo y de los cuales ni siquiera una
explicacin plausible se puede dar, esto nos despedir a favor de las causas naturales
primarios; vamos a investigar, no por medio de lotes y nmeros de los cuales hay una
explicacin razonable se puede dar, sino simplemente a travs de la ciencia de los
aspectos de las estrellas a los lugares con los que tienen familiaridad. [19]
El libro comienza con una explicacin del marco filosfico de la astrologa, que pretende
dar respuesta a los argumentos de los crticos que cuestionaron la validez de la
materia. [14] De esta cantidad, Lynn Thorndike, en su Historia de la Magia y Ciencias
Experimentales, escribe: "Slo los opositores de la astrologa parecen haber permanecido
ignorantes delTetrabiblos, sin dejar de hacer crticas al arte que no se aplican a la
presentacin de Ptolomeo de ello o que haba sido contestado especficamente por l ". [20]
Tolomeo no fue responsable de originar las tcnicas astrolgicas que present en
el Tetrabiblos. [16] Su contribucin fue ordenar el material de forma sistemtica, a fin de
demostrar que la astrologa se basa en principios lgicos, jerrquicos. [14]influencias
astrolgicas se refieren con frecuencia los efectos meteorolgicos de cambios humorales,
que se presume que el resultado de los ciclos celestes trayendo cambios correlacionados
en la calefaccin, refrigeracin, humidificacin y secado afecta de la atmsfera. [21]
La importancia histrica y la influencia del Tetrabiblos se atestiguan los muchos
comentarios antiguos, medievales y renacentistas publicados al respecto, as como las
numerosas traducciones y parfrasis ediciones que pretenden reproducir su contenido de
una manera accesible. [22] El texto griego tiene transmisin sometido al rabe, latn y
muchas lenguas modernas. La primera traduccin al Ingls no apareci hasta el siglo 18,
pero a finales del siglo 19 el astrlogo estadounidense Lucas Broughton inform que tena
al menos media docena de diferentes traducciones al ingls en su poder. [23]

Ttulo y fecha de composicin [editar]

Captulo de la primera edicin impresa del Tetrabiblos de Ptolomeo de

apertura, transcrito en griego y latn por Joachim
Camerarius (Nuremberg, 1535).
Los ttulos griegos y latinos comnmente
conocidos (Tetrabiblos y Quadripartitumrespectivamente), lo que significa "cuatro libros",
son apodos tradicionales [24] para una obra que en algunos manuscritos griegos se
titula , 'tratado matemtico en cuatro libros. [25 ] Frank
Eggleston Robbins, director de la Loeb Traduccin Ingls publicado en 1940, consider
que era probable que este fue el ttulo utilizado por el propio Ptolomeo, aunque reconoci
que muchos otros manuscritos griegos usan el ttulo , 'Los
pronsticos dirigida a Syrus . [25] Un antiguo comentario annimo en los estados de
trabajo que algunos consideran el trmino Tetrabiblossea un nombre ficticio. [25]
Hbner, editor de la edicin 1998 Teubner griega, utiliza el ttulo Apotelesmatik
(Biblia), '(libros sobre) los efectos', que ha sido seguido por los estudiosos
recientes. [26] Alexander Jones, editor de la publicacin Springer Tolomeo en
Perspectiva (2010 ) considera que el propio ttulo de Ptolomeo sigue siendo desconocida,
pero est de acuerdo en que el trmino Apotelesmatika es "una conjetura creble". [24] Este
trmino es traducido de diversas maneras en el sentido de
"influencias", [24] efectos [26] o "de pronsticos; [25] lo que refleja el tema del trabajo, que
tiene que ver con la obtencin de conocimiento previo de los efectos de los ciclos
astronmicos predecibles.
Hay fecha establecida sin firmeza para la compilacin de los Tetrabiblos pero Tolomeo da
a conocer en su "Direccin de introduccin 'que escribi su tratado astrolgico despus de
completar su astronmica una: el Almagesto. [27] La evidencia en el Almagesto revela que
el trabajo astronmico no poda se ha completado antes de alrededor de 145 dC, [28] lo
que demuestra que Ptolomeo escribi el Tetrabiblos hacia el final de su vida, en algn
momento entre completar el Almagesto y su muerte, inform en general a estar alrededor
de 168 AD [29]

Libro I: principios y tcnicas [editar]

Captulos de apertura [editar]
"La mayora de los eventos de carcter general sacan sus causas desde
los cielos envolventes."
Ptolomeo, Tetrabiblos I.1.
El texto comienza con la direccin de Ptolomeo a "Syrus", un personaje no identificado al
que todas las obras de Ptolomeo se dedican. [30] En este Tolomeo distingue entre dos
tipos de estudio astronmico: la primera (astronomaadecuado) que descubre los ciclos y
movimientos astronmicos; la segunda(astrologa), que investiga los cambios en estos
movimientos provocan. l afirma que cada uno tiene su propia ciencia y el primero es
deseable en s mismo ", aunque no alcanza el resultado dado por su combinacin con el
segundo". [27] Esto se toma para demostrar la opinin de Ptolomeo que la astronoma y la
astrologa son estudios complementarios, por lo que mientras que la astrologa es menos
autosuficiente y fctica, [2] su empleo hace que la prctica de la astronoma ms til. [31] A
pesar de que los trminos astronomia y astrologia se utilizan indistintamente en los textos
antiguos, [32] esto tambin demuestra la definicin temprana de dos temas diferenciados
que se discutieron extensamente por Ptolomeo en dos trabajos separados. [31]
Ptolomeo afirma que haber tratado con el antiguo tema (astronoma) en su propio tratado,
que "debe ahora dar cuenta de la segunda y menos mtodo autosuficiente en una forma
propiamente filosfica, de modo que uno cuyo objetivo es la verdad nunca podra
comparar sus percepciones con la seguridad de la primera ". [27] En esta y otras
observaciones introductorias, l revela su opinin de que la prediccin astrolgica es
extremadamente difcil y fcilmente sujeto a error, pero satisfactoria posible para aquellos
que poseen la habilidad y la experiencia necesaria, y de mucho beneficio para ser
despedido simplemente porque a veces puede estar equivocado. [33]
Argumentos filosficos de Ptolomeo [editar]
Los captulos 2 y 3 son importantes para dar defensa filosfica de Ptolomeo de su
tema. Franz Boll not los argumentos fueron acompaados en las fuentes ms antiguas,
en particular los de la estoico filsofo Posidonio (c. 135 BCE- c. AD 51 aC). [34] Del mismo
modo , la narrativa de Ptolomeo fue utilizada por las
posteriores filsofos y astrnomos, comoJohannes Kepler, que utiliza ejemplos similares y
el mismo orden de los argumentos para explicar la base fsica de algunas afirmaciones
astrolgicas. [35] Descrito como "cientficamente hablando, perfectamente loable" por uno
comentarista moderno, [36] otra ha condenado estos captulos como el lugar donde "el
conocimiento, la inteligencia y la habilidad retrica" de Ptolomeo son ms "mal uso". [37]
En el captulo uno Ptolomeo afirma la legitimidad del estudio e identifica los dos
argumentos principales que figuran en su contra:

1. la complejidad del tema hace que su pretensin de proporcionar conocimiento

previo fiable inalcanzable;
2. previo conocimiento -si fiable que se puede lograr-implicara tal fatalismo como
para hacer el propsito del objeto intil (ya que si el futuro es predecible, algo que
est destinado a suceder suceder si predicho o no).
Tolomeo luego contesta cada crtica en los dos captulos siguientes.
Argumento sobre el grado de fiabilidad de la astrologa
En el captulo dos Tolomeo sostiene que los conocimientos adquiridos por medio
astronmicos es alcanzable y que intenta definir sus lmites de acuerdo con "-estoica
aristotlica" lgica. [38] Seala cmo el Sol tiene la mayor influencia sobre los ciclos
estacionales y diarias de la Tierra, y que la mayora de las cosas en la naturaleza son
sincronizados por la Luna:
... Como el cuerpo celeste ms cercano a la Tierra, la Luna otorga su emanacin ms
abundantemente sobre las cosas mundanas, para la mayora de ellos, animado o
inanimado, simpatizan con ella y el cambio en compaa de ella; los ros aumentar y
disminuir sus arroyos con su luz, los mares se convierten sus propias mareas con su salida
y la puesta, y las plantas y animales en su totalidad o en alguna parte y desaparecer con
ella. [39]
Se extiende esta capacidad para agitar el clima y dirigir los patrones biolgicos de criaturas
terrenales a las estrellas fijas y los planetas, por lo que todo lo que experimenta ciclos de
crecimiento, o patrones de comportamiento, es de alguna manera sensible a los ciclos
celestes. Estos lograr cambios elementales (condiciones de calor, viento, nieve o
llorosos,etc.): dirigidos por el Sol, activados por la Luna y la ayuda de los
planetarios configuraciones y las estrellas fijas'fenmenos. Los
predominantes meteorolgicos cualidades son entonces considerados para determinar
el temperamento - la calidad del momento de tiempo a un lugar especfico - que se supone
ser impresionado, como una especie de huella temporal, en la semilla de todo lo que entra
en la germinacin o manifestacin en ese momento en el tiempo. Tolomeo admite que el
anlisis de xito de este temperamento no se consigue con facilidad, pero es capaz de ser
determinada por alguien que es capaz de considerar los datos "tanto cientfica como por
conjeturas xito". Se pregunta por qu, si una persona puede predecir de forma fiable los
patrones climticos generales y sus efectos sobre las semillas agrcolas y animales desde
el conocimiento de los ciclos celestes:
... Puede que no, tambin, con respecto a un hombre individual, percibir la calidad general
de su temperamento del ambiente [40] en el momento de su nacimiento, ... y predecir
eventos ocasionales, por el hecho de que tal o cual ambiente est en sintona con tales y
un temperamento tales y es favorable a la prosperidad, mientras que otro no es tan en
sintona y conduce al dao? [41]
Mientras que lo que sugiere que tales argumentos son suficientes para demostrar la
validez de la astrologa, Tolomeo acepta que muchos cometen errores en su prctica - en
parte por "bribones evidentes" que profesan practicarlo sin el debido conocimiento y
pretender predecir cosas que no se pueden conocer de forma natural (a veces el uso del
trmino astrologa para las prcticas que no son ciertas al estudio verdadero de la
astrologa) [42] y porque los profesionales legtimos deben adquirir una magnitud de
conocimientos y experiencias dentro de un tiempo de vida limitado. Su resumen es que el
estudio es por lo general slo es capaz de dar un conocimiento fiable en trminos
generales; ese consejo astrolgico debe ser bienvenida, pero no se espera que sea
intachable; y que el astrlogo no debe ser criticado, pero anim a integrar la informacin
no celestial dentro de la compilacin de un juicio (como lo que se conoce de su origen
tnico, la nacionalidad de un individuo y las influencias de los padres). [43]

Ilustracin manuscrito del siglo 15 de la astronoma como una de

las siete artes liberales, mostrando Tolomeo como su patrn.
Argumento de si la astrologa es natural y til
En el captulo tres Tolomeo argumenta que la prediccin astrolgica es a la vez natural y
beneficioso. La traduccin de estas ideas en Amrica en el siglo 12 se describe como "de
vital importancia" para la adopcin de una actitud favorable hacia la astrologa dentro de la
cristiandad en el periodo medieval. [44]
Tolomeo primera propone que no es "intil" para crear predicciones de lo que es probable
que suceda, incluso si las predicciones no proporcionan los medios para evitar un desastre
inminente. Esta fue una de las crticas clsicas conocidas que haban sido trados a la
prominencia en Cicero 's de texto De divinatione, en el argumento de que no es bueno
viene de advertencias de desastres inminentes cuando ofrecen ningn medio de
escape. [45] Tolomeo da una ms visin positiva de la adivinacin en su evaluacin de la
astrologa como un sujeto "por el cual ganamos la vista de las cosas humanas y
divinas", [46] que, segn l, da una mejor percepcin de "lo que es apropiado y conveniente
para las capacidades de cada . temperamento "[46] l ve la astrologa como un tema que
anima mejorado el auto-conocimiento, para ser valorada como una fuente de placer y
bienestar; ya que incluso si la astrologa no puede ayudar en la adquisicin de la riqueza o
la fama; lo mismo puede decirse de toda la filosofa, que se ocupa de "mayores
ventajas". Por lo tanto, en el caso de eventos desafortunados que tendrn lugar
necesariamente, Ptolomeo afirma que la prediccin astrolgica todava trae beneficios,
porque "presciencia acostumbra y calma el alma por la experiencia de acontecimientos
distantes como si estuvieran presentes, y la prepara para saludar con la calma y firmeza lo
que venga ". [46]
Siguiente argumento de Ptolomeo era evitar las crticas que surgen cuando la prctica de
la prediccin se ve sugerirnecesidad fatal. Este punto fue crucial para la aceptacin
teolgica ms tarde, ya Medieval doctrina religiosa dicta que el individuo alma debe
poseer libre albedro, con el fin de ser responsable de sus propias decisiones y las
consecuencias que se derivan de ellos. Gerardo de texto del siglo 13 de Feltre Summa de
las Estrellas se muestra el problema que el determinismo astrolgico crea para el
argumento teolgico: "Si las estrellas hacen de un hombre un asesino o un ladrn,
entonces tanto ms que es la primera causa, Dios, que hace esto, que es vergonzoso para
sugerir ". [47] los comentarios de Ptolomeo contrarrestar las crticas al proponer que, si bien
los ciclos celestes son enteramente fiables y" eternamente a cabo de acuerdo con divina,
destino inmutable ", [46] todas las cosas de la tierra tambin estn sujetos a "un destino
natural y mutable, y en la elaboracin de sus primeras causas de lo alto que es gobernado
por el azar y la secuencia natural". [46]Por lo tanto, declara que nada est ordenado de
manera irrevocable, y no hemos de imaginar que "eventos asisten a la humanidad como el
resultado de la causa celestial como si ... destinada a tener lugar por necesidad y sin la
posibilidad de cualquier otra causa que sea interferir ". [46]
En esta discusin Tolomeo hace un punto que iba a ser llamado por muchos escritores
astrolgicos posteriores, que "la causa menor siempre cede ante la ms fuerte". [48] l ve a
un individuo como incapaz de resistir los mayores ciclos de cambio que resultan la
comunidad en general, por lo que incluso un hombre cuyo horscopo indica la ganancia
puede perecer en un momento en que su comunidad es golpeado por un desastre natural
o la peste. Sin embargo, Ptolomeo tambin mantiene que los eventos desastrosos slo
seguir un curso natural si no se toman medidas en contra de evitar el problema, ya que
cuando "no se conocen los futuros acontecimientos a los hombres, o si son conocidos y los
recursos no se aplican". [ 48] Toma una posicin equilibrada en el argumento del destino
contra el libre albedro por escrito que ciertas cosas, porque sus causas efectivas son
numerosas, se convierten en inevitable, mientras que otros son capaces de ser evitado por
el acto de la prediccin astrolgica. La posicin de la astrlogo se compara con la del
mdico, que debe ser capaz de reconocer de antemano qu dolencias son siempre fatal, y
que admitir de la ayuda. [48]
"... es la misma con la filosofa - no tenemos que abandonar porque hay
sinvergenzas evidentes entre aquellos que pretenden a la misma."
Ptolomeo, Tetrabiblos I.2.
Por tanto, es razonable, en opinin de Ptolomeo, a moderar las acciones con conciencia
de cmo el temperamento dominante y futuro prospera o daa el temperamento natal, o
para elegir a actuar a la vez que es astrolgicamente adecuada a la actividad - del mismo
modo que se considera racional utilizar el conocimiento de las estrellas para garantizar la
seguridad en el mar; utilizar el conocimiento del ciclo lunar para garantizar la cra y
siembra exitosa, o enfriar a nosotros mismos contra los extremos de la temperatura con el
fin de que sufrimos menos.
Conclusin filosfica de Ptolomeo sobre el tema, lo que ayud a asegurar su posicin
intelectual hasta el siglo 18, es la siguiente:. ", Incluso si no es totalmente infalible, por lo
menos sus posibilidades han aparecido digno de la ms alta consideracin" [48] Despus
de haber justificado su participacin intelectual en el estudio, de acuerdo con los principios
filosficos de su poca, Tolomeo luego se vuelve su atencin a la teora prctica de la
astrologa, y las razones que hay detrs de la disposicin de sus principios.
Introduccin de los principios [editar]

Figura de los cuerpos celestes - Un ejemplo delsistema geocntrico

de Ptolomeo por cosmgrafo portugus y el cartgrafo Bartolomeu
Velho, 1568 (Bibliothque Nationale, Pars).
Una de las caractersticas nicas del Tetrabiblos, entre los textos astrolgicos de su
periodo, es el grado en que el primer libro no slo presenta los principios astrolgicos
bsicos, pero sintetiza y explica el razonamiento detrs de sus asociaciones reportadas en
consonancia con la filosofa aristotlica. [ 49] El captulo cuatro, por ejemplo, explica el
"poder de los planetas" a travs de sus asociaciones con las cualidades humorales
creativas de calor o humedad, o las cualidades reductoras de fro y sequedad. [50] De ah
que Marte se describe como un planeta destructiva porque su asociacin humoral es la
sequedad excesiva, mientras que Jpiter se define como templado y fertilizante, ya que su
asociacin es el calor moderado y humedad. [51] Estas asociaciones se basan en las
disposiciones de los planetas con respecto al Sol, como se percibe desde la perspectiva
geocntrica, por el que sus rbitas se miden es si ellos estn centrados en la Tierra.
Uniendo estos principios aristotlicos con una filosofa griega frecuente empleada
por Zenn de Citio y los pitagricos, los tres captulos siguientes organizar los planetas en
pares de opuestos.[50] Pueden ser benfico (moderadamente calentamiento o humectante)
o malfico (enfriamiento en exceso o secado );masculina (secado) o femenino
(humectacin); activo y diurna (adaptada a las cualidades del da y alineado con la
naturaleza de la Sun) o pasiva y nocturna (adaptada a las cualidades de la noche y
alineado con la naturaleza de la Luna).[52] Como estas asociaciones humorales derivan de
configuraciones con el Sol, el captulo ocho describe la forma en que se modifican
sutilmente segn la fase de la de cada planeta ciclo sindico con el Sol [53]
El captulo nueve discute el "poder de las estrellas fijas". Aqu, en lugar de dar
asociaciones humorales directos, Ptolomeo describe sus "temperaturas" como si fuera la
de los planetas que ya ha definido. De ah Aldebaran ("llama de la antorcha") se describe
como "una temperatura como la de Marte", mientras que otras estrellas en las Hades son
"como el de Saturno y moderado como el de Mercurio". [54] Al final de la captulo Tolomeo
aclara que no se trata de sus propuestas, pero se han extrado de las fuentes histricas,
siendo "las observaciones de los efectos de las propias estrellas como hicieron nuestros
predecesores". [55]
Tolomeo instruir Regiomontanobajo una imagen del zodiaco que
rodea las esferas celestes. Frontispiece de Almagesto de Ptolomeo,
(Venecia, 1496).
Captulo diez vuelve al tema humoral ms explcitamente, aclarando que el zodiacose
alinea con las estaciones del ao y tan expresivo del cambio de nfasis a travs de la
humedad, calor, sequedad y fro, (como provocada por la primavera, el verano, el
otoo y el invierno). Del mismo modo, los cuatro ngulos de la cartapresentan un nfasis
humoral mediante la asociacin con los efectos de los cuatro puntos
cardinales vientos que soplan desde sus direcciones alineadas. [56] El resto del libro uno
(hasta los dos ltimos captulos que se refieren a las fases planetariasy aspectual
aplicaciones), presenta los regentes, divisiones y configuraciones de lossignos del
zodiaco, la mayora de las cuales estn relacionadas con las definiciones astronmicas,
los efectos estacionales, la fsica y la geometra. Principios geomtricos se utilizan para
definir la calidad favorable o desfavorable de los aspectos astrolgicos, basado en la
relacin angular de los planetas y signos coneclptica grados. [15]
En la poca de Ptolomeo de los lmites de los signos del zodiaco fueron cercanos a los de
los visibles constelaciones cuyos nombres llevan, pero Tolomeo demuestra la distincin
terica entre los dos marcos de referencia para describir el punto de partida del zodiaco
como fija, no a las estrellas, sino a la calculada matemticamente equinoccio de
primavera. [57] Esto determina el basado estacionalmente zodaco tropical que toma su
nombre de la palabra griega tropikos: "de la inflexin", [58], ya que se establece
por el giro de las estaciones y, estar sujeto a la precesin, experimenta una revolucin
lenta y gradual a travs de las constelaciones visibles. [59] Por la misma razn, los signos
que marcan del sol de verano e inviernosolsticio puntos (Cncer y Capricornio) son
descritos como los "signos tropicales ', [ 60], ya que estos son los lugares donde el sol
'vueltas' de su direccin en la latitud celeste, (definiendo as los terrestres crculos de
latitud conocido como el trpico de Cncer y el Trpico de Capricornio). [61]
Mientras que otros escritores astrolgicos antiguos dieron su nfasis en la interpretacin
astrolgica de tales definiciones (por ejemplo, al describir cmo los signos tropicales son
indicativos de situaciones rpidamente cambiantes), [62] el enfoque de Ptolomeo es
notablemente diferente; dado a los factores astronmicos y filosficos que subyacen en las
definiciones, ms que su significado astrolgico en la prctica. Tolomeo explica que las
definiciones del zodiaco no son los suyos, pero presentes "los caracteres naturales de los
signos zodiacales, ya que han sido transmitidas por la tradicin". [63] Su enfoque se
advierte, igualmente elegante donde est demostrando la lgica del esquema acuerdos
(como los principios filosficos detrs de la regencia planetaria de signos), [64], pero se
observa para transmitir el desapego con respecto a los elementos de la astrologa que no
son tan obviamente plausible. [65] Esto se puede ver en la forma en que Ptolomeo evita
entrar en detalles sobre las facetas de la astrologa que se basan
en mitolgicas o simblicas asociaciones, y cmo l est dispuesto a exponer el
razonamiento detrs de las propuestas astrolgicas en conflicto sin revelar ninguna
preferencia personal por un esquema sobre otro. [66]
Algunos comentaristas han visto enfoque comparativamente desapasionada de Ptolomeo
hacia puntos de contencin astrolgica como razn para suponer que l estaba ms
interesado en los principios tericos que la prctica real de la astrologa. [67] Por otro lado,
el tono objetivo que marca su estilo; su afirmacin de que el tema es algo natural (por el
cual l no hace ninguna demanda de los juramentos de secreto de sus estudiantes, ya que
algunos contemporneos hacen);[68] y la forma en que muestra de referencia respetuoso
con los puntos de vista alternativos y sin vilipendiar autores cuyas prcticas podran diferir
de su propia , [69] todos ayudaron para asegurar la reputacin histrica del texto como un
solo intelectualmente superior. Clsicos estudioso Marcos Riley levant estos puntos en su
evaluacin de que Tolomeo abord el tema de la astrologa con exactamente la misma
inclinacin terica que l aplica a la astronoma, la geografa y la otras ciencias en las que
se escribieron. [70] Este estilo distintivo de enfoque llev a Riley para concluir: "El respeto a
la obra de Ptolomeo por todos los astrlogos posteriores se debi, no a su utilidad para el
profesional, pero a su sntesis magistral de la astrologa y ciencia ". [49]

Libro II: la astrologa mundana [editar]

Libro II presenta el tratado de Ptolomeo en la astrologa mundana. This offers a
comprehensive review of ethnic stereotypes , eclipses , significations of comets and
seasonal lunations , as used in the prediction of national economics, wars, epidemics,
natural disasters and weather patterns. No other surviving ancient text offers a comparable
account of this topic, in terms of the breadth and depth of detail offered by Ptolemy.
Although no demonstrated examples are given, he writes with authority in this branch of his
subject, which suggests it was of particular interest to him. Modern commentators have
remarked that Ptolemy was "consciously taking a different approach" to contrast "with the
'old', infinitely complicated methods". [ 15 ]
Ptolemy begins by stating he has briefly reviewed the important principles and will now
develop the details of astrology in the appropriate order. His point is that astrological
assessment of any 'particular' individual must rest upon prior knowledge of the 'general'
temperament of their ethnic type; and that the circumstances of individual lives are
subsumed, to some extent, within the fate of their community. [ 71 ]
The second chapter gives a broad generalisation of how genetic differences develop
between the inhabitants of the variousclimes (a demarcation based on latitude).
Communities that live close to the equator, for example, are described as having black
skins, small statures, and thick woolly hair, as a protective response to the burning heat of
that location. By contrast, communities that have settled in high northern regions are
defined by their colder environment and its greater share of moisture. Their bodily forms
are paler, taller, with finer hair, and in their characteristics they are described as "somewhat
cold in nature". [ 72 ] Both types are described as lacking civilisation because of the
extremes of their environment, whereas communities that live in temperate regions are
medium in colouring, moderate in stature and enjoy a more equable lifestyle. The several
regions are similarly defined according to the mix that arises within this kind of analysis.
Ptolemy explains that such considerations are only dealt with summarily, as a background
consideration for what follows. He also makes clear that such traits are to be found
"generally present, but not in every individual". [ 72 ]

15th-century map depicting Ptolemy's description of the inhabited

world, (1482, Johannes Schnitzer).
In chapter 3 Ptolemy unites his interests in astrology and geography, to outline the
astrological associations of "our inhabited world". Maps based on
Ptolemy's Geographica show Ptolemy's definition of the inhabited world as (roughly)
extending from the equator to latitude 66N, covering the land mass between the Atlantic
Ocean and East China Sea. [ 73 ] Ptolemy extends the logic given in ancient Babylonian
texts where the four quarters of the known world are attributed to the
four triplicity arrangements of the zodiac. [ 74 ] The attribution is based on association
between the planets that govern the triplicities and the directions and winds those planets
are affiliated with. For example, the 'Aries triplicity' (which includes Aries, Leo and
Sagittarius) is chiefly dominated by Jupiter and assisted by Mars. Jupiter rules the north
wind and Mars the west wind; therefore this triplicity governs the north-west quarter of
Ptolemy's "inhabited world": the area known as Europe. [ 75 ]
Again, these divisions are general, and specific rulership of each nation is modified by
location and observed cultural distinctions. For example, in Europe, only those regions that
lie to the north-west extremes are fully attributed to Jupiter and Mars, since those that lie
towards the centre of the inhabited area incline towards the influence of opposing
regions. [ 76 ] In this way, the "inhabited region" experiences a drift of astrological
correspondence rather than sharp divisions within its quarters, and independent nations are
variously affiliated with the signs of each triplicity and the planets that rule them. Ptolemy
names Britain and Spain as two nations appropriately placed in the north-west quarter to
accept the rulership of Jupiter and Mars. Such nations are described as "independent,
liberty-loving, fond of arms, industrious", based on characteristics attributed to those
planets. Being predominantly governed by masculine planets they are also "without passion
for women and look down upon the pleasures of love". [ 76 ] Observed characteristics
influence his categorisation of Britain as having a closer affinity with Aries and Mars (by
which "for the most part its inhabitants are fiercer, more headstrong and bestial"), whilst
Spain is reported to be more subject to Sagittarius and Jupiter, (from which is evidenced
"their independence, simplicity and love of cleanliness"). [ 76 ]
Though Ptolemy describes his analysis as a "brief exposition", [ 77 ] the chapter builds into
an extensive association between planets, zodiac signs and the national characteristics of
73 nations. It concludes with three additional assertions which act as core principles of
mundane astrology:

1. Each of the fixed stars has familiarity with the countries attributed to the sign of its
ecliptic rising.
 2. The time of the first founding of a city (or nation) can be used in a similar way to an
individual horoscope , to astrologically establish the characteristics and
experiences of that city. The most significant considerations are the regions of the
zodiac which mark the place of the Sun and Moon, and the four angles of the
chart in particular theascendant .
3. If the time of the foundation of the city or nation is not known, a similar use can be
made of the horoscope of whoever holds office or is king at the time, with particular
attention given to the midheaven of that chart. [ 77 ]
Use of eclipses [ edit ]
The remainder of the book shows how this information is used in the prediction of mundane
events. Focus is given to eclipses, as the "first and most potent" cause of
change, [ 78 ] supplemented by examination of the 'stations' of the superior planets : Saturn,
Jupiter and Mars. [ 79 ] Although eclipses are deemed relevant to any nation affiliated with
the zodiac signs in which they occur, Ptolemy's scrutiny is reserved for regions where they
are visible, which he argues will manifest the effects most noticeably. [ 80 ] The period of
obscuration determines the endurance of the effect, with each hour proportioning to years
for a solar eclipse and months for a lunar eclipse. [ 81 ] The location of the eclipse with
relation to the horizon is then used to judge whether the effects are most prevalent at the
beginning, middle or end of the period, with times of intensification identified by planetary
contacts to the degree of the eclipse which occur within this period. [ 82 ]

Depiction of Ptolemy employing a quadrant, from Giordano

Ziletti'sPrinciples of astrology and geography according to Ptolemy ,
1564.
Chapter 7 begins the examination of what type of event will manifest. This is judged by
the angle of the horizon which precedes the eclipse in the chart set for the location under
scrutiny [ 83 ] and the planet(s) that dominate this angle by rulership and powerful aspectual
connections. [ 84 ] Whether the predicted effect is beneficial or destructive depends on the
condition of these planets, whilst the type of manifestation is judged by the zodiac signs,
fixed stars [ 85 ] and constellations involved. [ 86 ] The resulting prediction is of relevance to
nations, but Ptolemy points out that certain individuals are more resonant to the effects
than others; namely those have the Sun or Moon in their horoscopes in the same degree
as the eclipse, or the degree that directly opposes it. [ 87 ]
Within his Almagest Ptolemy explains that he had access to eclipse records kept for 900
years since the beginning of the reign of king Nabonassar (747 BC). [ 88 ] In chapter 9 of
the Tetrabiblos he shows knowledge of the Babylonian lore that accompanied these
records in detailing the omens based on visual phenomena. The colours of eclipses and
"the formations that occur near them, such as rods, halos, and the like" are
considered [ 89 ] along with the astrological significance of comets, in whether they take the
form of "'beams', 'trumpets', 'jars', and the like". Meaning is derived from their position
relative to the Sun and assessment of "the parts of the zodiac in which their heads appear
and through the directions in which the shapes of their tails point". [ 90 ] It is noted that here
Ptolemy uses principles that fall outside the neat theoretical logic he presents in book I,
being explicable only in terms of the mythological and omen tradition inherited from his
ancient sources. [ 91 ] He also defends the subjective nature of the analysis involved,
asserting that it would be impossible to mention the proper outcome of all this investigation,
which calls for enterprise and ingenuity from the astrologer creating the judgement. [ 92 ]
The remaining chapters of book II are dedicated to meteorological matters. Chapter 10
specifies that the new or full Moon preceding the Sun's ingress into Aries can be used as a
starting point for investigations concerning the weather patterns of the year. Lunations
which precede the Sun's ingress into any the other equinoctial and solstice signs (Cancer,
Libra and Capricorn) can also be used for seasonal concerns, and within these "monthly
investigations" bring more particular details based on lunations and the conjunctions of the
planets. [ 93 ] The recorded weather effects of the fixed stars in the zodiac constellations are
systematically discussed, concluding with the relevance of generally observed sky
phenomena such as shooting stars, cloud formations and rainbows. [ 94 ] These final
considerations are expected to add localised details to the original exploration of eclipse
cycles. Ptolemy's theme throughout the book is that charts of this nature cannot be judged
in isolation, but are to be understood within the pattern of cycles to which they belong, and
where there are strong connections between the degree points involved; para:
In every case one should draw his conclusions on the principle that the universal and
primary underlying cause takes precedence and that the cause of particular events is
secondary to it, and that the force is most ensured and strengthened when the stars which
are the lords of the universal natures are configurated with the particular causes. [ 95 ]
With the astrologer expected to have knowledge and awareness of the mundane cycles
that outline the background principles of the personal horoscope, Ptolemy closes this book
with the promise that the next will supply "with due order" the procedure which allows
predictions based on the horoscopes of individuals.

Book III: Individual horoscopes (genetic influences and

predispositions) [ edit ]

Byzantine reproduction of a Greek horoscope attributed to the

philosopher Eutocius , 497 AD
Books III and IV explore what Ptolemy terms "the genethlialogical art": the interpretation of
a horoscope set for the moment of the birth of an individual. [ 96 ] He explains that there are
several cycles of life to consider but the starting point for all investigation is the time of
conception or birth. The former "the genesis of the seed" allows knowledge of events that
precede the birth; the latter "the genesis of the man" is "more perfect in
potentiality" [ 96 ] because when the child leaves the womb and comes "forth into the light
under the appropriate conformation of the heavens" the temperament, disposition and
physical form of the body is set. [ 97 ] The two moments are described as being linked by a
"very similar causative power", so that the seed of the conception takes independent form
at an astrologically suitable moment, whereby the impulse to give birth occurs under a
"configuration of similar type to that which governed the child's formation in detail in the first
place". [ 96 ] Chapter 2 continues this theme in discussing the importance of calculating the
precise degree of the ascendant at birth, the difficulty of recording local time precisely
enough to establish this, [ 98 ] and the methods available for rectification ( ie ., ensuring the
chart is correct). [ 99 ]
Chapter 3 describes how the analysis of the chart is divided into predictions of:

1. essential, genetic qualities established prior to birth (such family and parental
influences),
2. those that become known at the birth (such as the sex of the child and birth
defects), and
3. those that can only be known post-natally (such as length of life, the quality of the
mind, illnesses, marriage, children, and material fortunes).
Ptolemy explains the order by which each theme becomes relevant, and follows this in his
arrangement of topics presented in the remaining chapters of books III and IV.
First he deals with the prenatal matters, covering the astrological significators of the
parents in chapter 4, and siblings in chapter 5. Then he deals with the matters "directly
concerned with the birth", [ 100 ] explaining how to judge such issues as whether the child
will be male or female (ch.6); whether the birth will produce twins or multiple children (ch.7);
and whether it will involve physical defects or monstrous forms; if so, whether these are
accompanied by mental deficiency, notability or honour (ch.8). [ 101 ]
"The consideration of the length of life takes the leading place among
inquiries about events following birth, for, as the ancient says, it is
ridiculous to attach particular predictions to one who, by the constitution
of the years of his life, will never attain at all to the time of the predicted
events. This doctrine is no simple matter, nor unrelated to others, but in
complex fashion derived from the domination of the places of greatest
authority."
Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos III.10.
The exploration of post-natal concerns begins in chapter 9 with a review of astrological
factors that occur when children are not reared. This considers the indications of still births
and babies that seem "half-dead", or those that have been left exposed (including whether
there is possibility they may be taken up and live). Chapter 10 then details the techniques
for establishing the length of life under normal circumstances. This is an important and
lengthy passage of text, the techniques of which require precise astronomical detail and
advanced knowledge of complex progressive techniques. Jim Tester has commented on
how Ptolemy goes into an unusual level of detail [ 102 ] in a responsibility that Bouch-
Leclercq described as "the chief task of astrology, the operation judged most difficult by
practitioners, most dangerous and damnable by its enemies". [ 103 ] Such a prediction
involves judicial skill as well as mathematical expertise since several 'destructive' periods
may be identified but countered by other, protective astrological influences, resulting in
periods of danger or illness that does not lead to death. [ 104 ] This is followed, in chapter
11, by the astrological principles from which judgement is made of bodily appearance and
temperament. The planetary significations follow the logic of their humoral associations, so
that Jupiter (associated with warmth and moisture, an humoral combination which
promotes growth) gives largeness in bodily form. [ 105 ] Since these define, to some extent,
predisposition towards bodily afflictions, there is a natural flow towards the content of
chapter 12, which focuses on the astrological significators relating to injuries and diseases.
The details of planetary associations with bodily organs and functions are given, such as
Saturn ruling the spleen and Jupiter the lungs. Jim Tester has pointed out that several lists
of this type exist "more or less agreeing in detail". [ 106 ]
The third book concludes with a discussion in chapters 13 and 14 of what is described as a
"largely overlooked" facet of Ptolemaic doctrine: the "psychological" one, which concerns
the quality of the soul (or psyche ). [ 107 ] Historian Nicholas Campion has discussed the
roots of the notion that celestial and psychological realms are connected, which can be
traced to the 6th century BC, and in Ptolemy's case presents a mixture
of Aristotelian and Stoic philosophy, resting on the Platonicview that "the soul comes from
the heavens" which explains "how human character comes to be determined by the
heavens". [ 108 ]
The soul, for Ptolemy, includes the faculty for conscious reasoning, which is rational and
attributed to the condition of Mercury, and the subconscious and unconscious elements of
the mind (the "sensory and irrational part"), which is sensitive and attributed to the condition
of the Moon. [ 109 ] These two chapters make analysis of instinctual impulses and moral
inclinations, being concerned with psychological motives and behavioural expression rather
than the physical temperament described in chapter 11. Diseases of the soul are defined
as "affections which are utterly disproportionate and as it were pathological" [ 110 ] including
insanity, inability to exercise moderation or restraint, instability of the emotions, depraved
sexuality, morbid perversions, and violent afflictions of the intellectual and passive parts of
the mind. The astrological explanations are mainly related to the exaggerated influence of
destructive planets which are also in difficult configurations with Mercury and the Sun or
Moon, or the planet associated with the psychological impulse (for example, Venus in
matters of sexuality). [ 110 ] Campion has pointed out that these planetary associations with
psychological qualities are not original to Ptolemy, being present in the Corpus
Hermeticum which was in circulation in Alexandria at the time Ptolemy compiled his
text. [ 107 ] :254
Within this book Ptolemy has surveyed all the topics that relate to inner qualities, genetic
patterns, predispositions and the natural tendencies present from birth. His exploration of
individual horoscopes continues into book IV, the only distinction of content being that
subsequent topics relate to material matters and life experiences: what Ptolemy refers to as
"external accidentals". [ 111 ]

Book IV: Individual horoscopes (external accidentals) [ edit ]

Ptolemy's geocentric celestial spheres; Peter
Apian's Cosmographia(1539)
Book IV is presented with a brief introduction to reaffirm the arrangement of content as
previously described. It starts with the topics of riches and honour. Ptolemy says: "as
material fortune is associated with the properties of the body, so honour belongs to those of
the soul". [ 111 ] Chapter 2, on material wealth, employs the "so-called 'Lot of Fortune '"
although Ptolemy's instruction conflicts with that of many of his contemporaries in stating
that for its calculation "we measure from the horoscope the distance from the sun to the
moon, in both diurnal and nocturnal nativities". [ 112 ]Ptolemy's reputation ensured this
approach to calculation was adopted by many later Medieval and Renaissance
astrologers, [ 113 ] although it is now realised that most Hellenistic astrologers reversed the
formula of calculation for nocturnal births . It is notable that in his discussion "Of the fortune
of Dignity", in chapter three, Ptolemy makes no reference to the Lot of Spirit (or Daimon ),
which would normally be used as the spiritual counterpart to the material wealth and
happiness associated with the Lot of Fortune. This is viewed as a demonstration of his
general dislike (declared in bk. III.3) for "lots and numbers of which no reasonable
explanation can be given". [ 114 ]
The subsequent chapter, the title of which is translated by Robbins as 'Of the Quality of
Action', concerns professional inclinations and the significators of career advance (or
decline). This is followed by the treatment of marriage in chapter 5, which is primarily
referred to the Moon in a man's chart, to describe his wife, and the Sun in a woman's chart
to describe her husband. [ 115 ] Here Ptolemy shows employment of the astrological
technique known as synastry , in which the planetary positions of two separate horoscopes
are compared with each other for indications of relationship harmony or enmity.
"Marriages for the most part are lasting when in both the genitures
the luminaries happen to be in harmonious aspect, that is, in trine or in
sextile with one another Divorces on slight pretexts and complete
alienations occur when the aforesaid positions of the luminaries are in
disjunct signs, or in opposition or in quartile."
Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos IV.5.
The next four chapters complete the survey of natal themes, dealing with the topics of
children (ch.6); friends and enemies (ch.7); the dangers of foreign travel (ch.8) and the
quality (or type) of death (ch.9 as opposed to the time of death considered in III.10).
The final chapter of the work is described as "a curious one"[ 116 ] for introducing a separate
theme at the end of the book. This refers to the seven 'ages of man', which Ptolemy briefly
mentioned in III.1 as a matter which varies the emphasis of astrological configurations
according to the time in life they occur: "we predict events that will come about at specific
times and vary in degree, following the so called ages of life. [ 117 ] His argument is that, just
as an astrologer must consider cultural differences "lest he mistake the appropriate
customs and manners by assigning, for example, marriage with a sister to one who is
Italian by race, instead of to the Egyptian as he should", [ 118 ] it is necessary to consider the
age in life that important astrological events occur. This is to ensure the prediction will
"harmonise those details which are contemplated in temporal terms with that which is
suitable and possible for persons in the various age-classes" and avoid out-of-context
predictions such as imminent marriage for a young child, or "to an extremely old man the
begetting of children or anything else that fits younger men". [ 118 ] This leads into a
discussion of the planetary themes of the seven ages of life which:
...for likeness and comparison depends upon the order of the seven planets; it begins with
the first age of man and with the first sphere from us, that is, the moon's, and ends with the
last of the ages and the outermost of the planetary spheres, which is called that of
Saturn. [ 118 ]
The information in the passage can be summarised as follows: [ 119 ]

Planeta Perodo Aos Aos Planetary theme

Luna first 4 0-3 infancia suppleness, growth,

years changeability,
nourishment of the
body

prximos 4-14 infancia development of

Mercurio
10 aos intelligence,
articulation, physical
and mental dexterity

Venus next 8 15-22 juventud impulse towards

years love and sexuality,
burning passion,
guile

Sol next 19 23 early responsibilities,

years 41 manhood ambition, substance,
decorum, change
from playfulness

Marte next 15 42 later severity, realisation

years 56 manhood of passing prime,
labour to complete
life-tasks
 Jpiter next 12 57-68 full fulfilment,
years maturity retirement,
independence,
dignity, deliberation,
honour

all 69 vejez coldness, weakness,

Saturno
remaining death decline,
years impediments,
dispiritedness

The book ends with a brief discussion of astronomical and symbolic cycles used in the
prediction of timed events, which includes mention of (primary) directions, annual
profections, ingresses, lunations and transits. [ 120 ]
The translator of the Loeb 1940 English translation, FE Robbins, reports a "puzzling
problem" regarding the final paragraph of the book. One group of manuscripts have either
been left unconcluded or supplied with text that matches an Anonymous Paraphrase of the
work (speculatively attributed to Proclus); the other presents text which is the same in
general content, but longer, according with manuscripts that were transmitted through
Arabic translations. [ 121 ] Robbins considers it certain that the ending which concurs with
the text of the Paraphrase is spurious. Robert Schmidt, the English translator of the
laterProject Hindsight edition agrees with his choice, stating that the text of the latter
"sounds more generally Ptolemaic". [ 122 ]
Robbins explains that the lack of an ending usually occurs when ancient books are
compiled in the form of a codex rather than a roll. Since the Paraphrase edition of
the Tetrabiblos aimed to present the work's meaning without Ptolemy's own complicated
style of text construction, Robbins says that he "cannot conceive how anyone (except
perhaps Ptolemy) could have reversed the process and evolved the tortuous, crabbed
Greek of the latter from the comparatively simple language of the former". [ 121 ] He
therefore offers both versions of the ending whilst lending his support to that which is found
in the Arabic version of the text. This has the book conclude with Ptolemy declaring "since
the topic of nativities has been summarily reviewed, it would be well to bring this procedure
also to a fitting close". [ 123 ]

Editions and transmission [ edit ]

No original manuscripts of the text have survived; its contents are known from translations,
fragments, paraphrased copies, commentaries and later Greek
manuscripts. [ 124 ] Astrological researcher Deborah Houlding, in an analysis of how specific
points agree or vary between different editions, suggests that areas of conflicting details
have been affected by three main streams of transmission: manuscripts that have passed
through Arabic translation; those based on a paraphrased edition, and manuscripts that are
dated four centuries later than the Arabic ones, but which have not undergone translation
out of Greek. [ 125 ]
Arabic translations [ edit ]
The oldest extant manuscript is an Arabic translation compiled in the 9th century by Ishaq
ben Husein. This was first translated into Latin, in Barcelona, by Plato de Tivoli in 1138 and
became influential as the first complete introduction of Ptolemy's astrological work in
Medieval Europe. It survives in at least nine manuscripts and five Renaissance
printings. [ 126 ]
Other Latin translations made from Arabic sources include an anonymous (unpublished)
work compiled in 1206 and another of the 13th century by Egidio Tebaldi (Aegidius de
Thebaldis). [ 127 ] Typically, the Latin translations made from Arabic texts were circulated
with a commentary compiled by Ali ibn Ridwan (Haly) in the 11th century. [ 128 ]
Egidio Tebaldi's translation was first published by Erhard Ratdolt in 1484 together with
Haly's commentary and a "pseudo-Ptolemaic" list of aphorisms known as
the Centiloquium . This has been described as "the creature of late-fifteenth-century Italian
presses". [ 128 ]
Paraphrase based editions [ edit ]
An anonymous Greek paraphrase is speculatively attributed to the 5th-century
philosopher Proclus . It is often referred to as the Proclus' Paraphrase although its
authenticity is questioned, being described as "very doubtful" by Professor Stephan
Heilen. [ 129 ] The content of the Paraphrase is close to that of manuscripts of
the Tetrabiblos , but it uses simplified text with the aim of providing what Heilen calls "a
more easily understandable version of the difficult original work". [ 129 ]
There is no modern critical edition of this text. [ 129 ] The oldest extant manuscript is dated
to the 10th century and housed in the Vatican Library (Ms. Vaticanus gr.1453, SX , ff.1
219). [ 125 ] :269 Some of the text of the Paraphrase was published with a Latin translation
and Preface by Philipp Melanchthon in Basel, 1554, but this was not widely
circulated. [ 125 ] :265 A full reproduction with an accompanying Latin translation was made
around 1630 by the Vatican scholar Leo Allatius "for his own private gratification" and this
was published by the Elzevir typsetters in Leiden , 1635, apparently without Allatius's
knowledge or consent. [ 130 ]
Allatius' Latin translation was used as the source of all English translations of
the Tetrabiblos prior to the Robbins' edition of 1940. [ 125 ] :266 These include translations
made by John Whalley (1701); the Whalley "corrected edition" made byEbenezer Sibly and
his brother (1786); JM Ashmand (1822); James Wilson (1828); and other 19th-century
privately circulated manuscripts such as that of John Worsdale. [ 131 ]
Greek manuscripts [ edit ]
Although no copies of Ptolemy's original manuscript remain, there are other ancient works,
such as Hephaistio 'sApotelesmatics I , which describe or reproduce some of its passages.
These have been used to help verify disputed areas of content. [ 125 ] :275
The oldest fairly complete Greek manuscript of the text (rather than the paraphrased edition
made of it) is dated to the 13th century. Two or three others are dated to the 14th century
but most are dated to the 15th and 16th centuries. [ 132 ] In the 'Introduction' to his 1940's
translation, Frank Eggleston Robbins reported the existence of at least 35 manuscripts
containing all or a large part of the Tetrabiblos in European libraries. [ 133 ]
The first printed edition was made in 1535 with an accompanying Latin translation by the
German classical scholar Joachim Camerarius . This was reprinted in 1553 and is "notable
for offering the first Latin translation based upon a Greek rather than Arabic
source". [ 125 ] :269 Robbins noted the page numbers of the 1553 edition in the Greek text
which faces his English translation, stating "My collations have been made against
Camerarius' second edition, because thus far this has been the standard text and it was
most convenient". [ 133 ]
Also in 1940, a Greek critical edition was published by Teubner , in Germany, based on the
unpublished work of Franz Bollwhich was completed by his student Emilie Boer. Robbins
expressed regret at not being able to refer to this in the preparation of his English
translation. [ 134 ]
In 1994 the 'Boll-Boer' edition became the basis of a serialised English translation by
Robert Schmidt, published by Project Hindsight . The 'Translator's Preface' was critical of
Robbins' understanding of some of the "conceptual issues involved" and argued the need
for a new English translation which recognised the "probable superiority of the Teubner text
edited by Boll and Boer in 1940". [ 135 ]
The most recent critical edition of the Greek text was made by the German scholar
Professor Wolfgang Hbner, and published by Teubner in 1998. Based on 33 complete and
14 partial manuscripts, Hbner also incorporated the unpublished notes of Boer and the
reasoning given in the Robbins and Boll-Boer editions. [ 125 ] :273 This is now considered the
authoritative edition. A reviewer's comment in The Classical Review declares of it
"Progress over previous editions is evident on virtually every page". [ 136 ]

Translators of the Tetrabiblos and associated texts

Joachim Camerarius(1500
1574). Translator of the first
printed Greek edition of
the Tetrabiblos.
Hieronymus Wolf (1516
1580). Translator of the first
printed Latin edition of
the Commentary .

Leo Allatius (15851669).

Translator of the first printed
Greek edition of
theParaphrase .
Franz Boll (18671924).
Translator (with Boer) of
Teubner Greek edition (1940)
of the Tetrabiblos.

Associated texts [ edit ]

Commentary [ edit ]
In addition to the Arabic commentary on the Tetrabiblos made by Ali ibn Ridwan (Haly) in
the 11th century, [ 137 ] significant attention is given to an anonymous Greek Commentary ,
which has older, obscure origins. It was written at an uncertain date, in either late antiquity
or the Byzantine period. This is also attributed to Proclus, as the presumed author of
theParaphrase , although Heilen has remarked that such an attribution "looks like
guesswork". [ 138 ] Houlding has also pointed out that differences in tabulated information
presented within the Paraphrase and the Commentary "is a telling argument that both
cannot be the work of the same author". [ 125 ] :274
The Greek Commentary was first printed in 1559 with an accompanying Latin translation
by Hieronymus Wolf . This claimed to be based on a heavily corrupted manuscript which
required numerous conjectures by a scholarly friend of Wolf, who preferred to remain
anonymous rather than face reproaches for "dabbling in this sort of literature". [ 138 ] Wolf's
edition was bound with an Introduction to the Tetrabiblos , attributed (speculatively)
to Porphyry , and the scholia of Demophilus. [ 139 ]
The purpose of the Commentary was to offer demonstrated illustrations and fuller
explanation of the astrological principles described by Ptolemy. Following Wolf's edition,
large passages were incorporated into Latin astrological works which featured extensive
collections of example horoscopes. Two notable examples are Jerome Cardan 's Ptolemaei
De Astrorvm Ivdiciis (Basel, 1578) and Francisco Junctinus's Speculum
Astrologiae (Lugduni, 1583). [ 125 ] :273 Modern translators continue to make reference to
the Hieronymous Wolf Commentary in their explanatory annotations. [ 140 ]
Centiloquium [ edit ]
Main article: Centiloquium
The Centiloquium 'one hundred (sayings)' was the common Latin title of a collection of 100
important astrological aphorisms. It was also known in Latin as Liber Fructus (Arabic: Kitab
al-Tamara ; Hebrew: Sefer ha-Peri ) 'Book of the Fruit'. [ 141 ] The latter reflected the belief
that this offered a summation of Ptolemy's key astrological principles, and therefore
presented "The Fruit of his Four Books". [ 142 ] It began, as all Ptolemy's works did, with a
dedication to "Syrus", which helped support the assumption of the work's Ptolemaic
authenticity. [ 137 ]
Early manuscripts were commonly accompanied by a commentary on their use authored
by Ahmad ibn Yusuf al-Misri (835912). [ 141 ] This became translated into Latin at the same
time as translations were being made of the Arabic editions of theTetrabiblos . The earliest
translations were made by Johannes Hispanensis in 1136 and Plato of Tivoli in 1138. [ 142 ]
Ali ibn Ridwan (Haly), who had produced the Arabic commentary on Ptolemy's work,
noticed that the aphorisms highlighted principles of interrogational astrology, and wondered
why Ptolemy had not included coverage of these themes in hisTetrabiblos . [ 137 ] Jerome
Cardan was the first to declare the work a forgery based on such differences, referring in
his commentary on the Tetrabiblos to an argument of Galen : "In the old days, kings who
were trying to establish great libraries bought the books of famous men at very high prices.
By doing so they caused men to ascribe their own works to the ancients". [ 137 ]
The authorship of the text is now ascribed to "Pseudo-Ptolemy". Some scholars suggest
that Ahmad ibn Yusuf was its true author. [ 141 ] Others believe that the Centiloquium ,
though not Ptolemy's, may preserve some collation of authentic materials from Hellenistic
astrology . [ 143 ] Ultimately, the historical assumption that the Centiloquium was part of
Ptolemy's astrological legacy gave it widespread influence in the medieval period, by which
it became established as an important text within the astrological tradition. [ 142 ]

Vase tambin [editar]

Babylonian astronomy - the ancient sources transmitted to Ptolemy.
Greek astronomy - the astronomy of Ptolemy's era.
Ptolemy's world map map of the ancient world as described by Ptolemy.

Notas [editar]

1. Jump up^ Quoted by Luck (2006) p.420 .

2. ^ Jump up to:a b c Tester (1987) p.57 .
3. ^ Jump up to:a b c Rutkin, H. Darrel, 'The Use and Abuse of Ptolemy's
Tetrabiblos in Renaissance and Early Modern Europe', inJones
(2010) p.135-147.
4. Jump up^ Robbins (1940) 'Translator's Introduction' II, p.xii .
Analogies between the status of the Tetrabiblos in astrology and
the Bible in Christianity are frequent. See for exampleRiley
(1974) p.235, "virtually the Bible of astrology";
Broughton, Elements of Astrology (1898) p.7: "Ptolemy's Four
Books on Astrology are to the European and American Student
what the Bible is to the student of Christian Theology";
Tucker, Principles of Scientific Astrology (1938) p.32: "it is
the Tetrabiblos which interests astrologers ... it is their
astrological bible"; and Zusne, Jones, Anomalistic psychology: a
 study of magical thinking (1989) p.201: "the astrologer's bible,
the Tetrabiblos, is still in use in the Western world".
5. Jump up^ Saliba (1997) p.67 .
6. ^ Jump up to:a b Tarnas (1991) pp.193194 .
7. Jump up^ Webster (1979) p.276 .
8. Jump up^ See Ramesey (1654) bk. I 'A vindication of
astrology', p.2, which presents a lengthy argument for why
astrology is defined as a "Mathematical art", being neither "a
distinct Art or Science by itself" but "one of the Liberal
Sciences". See also Thorndike (1958) vol. 12, ch.5: 'Astrology to
1650', andThomas (1971) ch.3: 'Astrology: its social and
intellectual role' which describes the determined efforts to
preserve the intellectual standing of astrology in the mid-late
17th century, which rapidly collapsed at the end of that century.
9. Jump up^ Lehoux (2006) p.108: "Perhaps the most influential of
the ancient physical accounts is that offered by Ptolemy in
hisTetrabiblos ".
10. Jump up^ For example, the Whalley translation (1701),
and 'corrected edition' by Ebenezer Sibly and his brother (1786);
James Wilson (1828), and other privately circulated manuscripts
of the 19th century such as that produced by John Worsdale;
the Project Hindsight translation by Robert Schmidt (1994).
Details of these texts and other translations are given in the
section on Editions and translations .
11. Jump up^ Rudhyar (1936) p.4 .
12. Jump up^ Avelar and Ribeiro (2010) 'Annotated
Bibliography' p.275: "This is an astrological classic and probably
the most widely cited in the history of the art. It is one of the
most important and influential works in the field of astrology ...
without a doubt, indispensable for any serious student of
astrology".
13. Jump up^ Ashmand (1822) 'Translator's Introduction'.
14. ^ Jump up to:a b c Houlding (1993) p.3.
15. ^ Jump up to:a b c Riley (1988) p.69.
16. ^ Jump up to:a b Tester (1987) p.60 .
17. Jump up^ Tester (1987) p.59 ; Lehoux (2006) pp.107-109.
18. Jump up^ Tester (1987) p.64 .
19. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos III.3 (Loeb: p.237 ).
20. Jump up^ Thorndike (1958) vol. 1, p.116.
21. Jump up^ Avelar and Ribeiro (2010) ch.2, pp.1017. See
for exampleTetrabiblos I.4 : 'Of the Power of the Planets'.
22. Jump up^ Robbins (1940) 'Translator's Introduction', III,
pp.xvixvii.
23. Jump up^ Elements of Astrology (1898) p.7 . Broughton
describes its value to astrologers as "One of the best books the
student should read, and which is most essential" pv
24. ^ Jump up to:a b c Jones (2010) 'Introduction' by Alexander
Jones, p.xii: "The Tetrabiblos (again a nickname - we do not
know Ptolemy's own title, but a credible guess
is Apotelesmatika , roughly 'Astrological Influences')".
25. ^ Jump up to:a b c d Robbins (1940) 'Translator's Introduction' II,
pxxi.
26. ^ Jump up to:a b Heilen, Stephan, 'Ptolemy's Doctrine of the
Terms and its Reception', in Jones (2010) p.45 .
27. ^ Jump up to:a b c Tetrabiblos I.1 (Loeb: p.3 ).
28. Jump up^ NT Hamilton and NM Swerdlow, 'From Ancient
Omens to Statistical Mechanics', in Berggren and Goldstein
(1987) , argue 150 AD (p.313); Grasshoff (1990) argues that
the observations in the Almagest cover the period between 127
141 AD (p.7).
29. Jump up^ Pecker (2001) p.311 . Most contemporary
sources give c. 90& ndash; do. 168 as the most likely time-span
of Ptolemy's life. Robbins gives 100178 ('Introduction', I
p.viii ). Mark Smith also veers towards the figures given by
Robbins: "It is said that he lived to be seventy-eight and survived
into the reign of Antonius Pius' successor, Mark Aurelius (161
180). These two claims, if true, would lead us to place Ptolemy's
death not only somewhere within that span, but probably toward
the end".
30. Jump up^ Ashmand (1822) 'Preface' p.xxiv, footnote 4 .
31. ^ Jump up to:a b Lehoux (2006) footnote 28: "Older versions of
the history of astronomy tended to make great hay of Ptolemy's
separating his astronomy and astrology into two books
(theAlmagest and the Tetrabiblos ), as though that pointed to
doubts Ptolemy had about astrology as a body of knowledge.
But Ptolemy is clear that even if it is less certain, astrology
is more useful than astronomy".
32. Jump up^ Evans and Berggren (2006) p.127 )
33. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos I.2 (Loeb: p.19 ): "...it would not be
fitting to dismiss all prognostication of this character because it
can sometimes be mistaken, for we do not discredit the art of the
pilot for its many errors; but as when the claims are great, so
also when they are divine, we should welcome what is possible
and think it enough".
34. Jump up^ North (1989) p.248. Discussed by Boll
in Studien uber Claudius Ptolemaus (Leipzig, 1894) pp.131ff.
35. Jump up^ Jensen (2006) p.118. Ptolemy's arguments
were used by Kepler in his 1602 text, De Fundamentalis
Astrologiae .
36. Jump up^ North (1989) p.248
37. Jump up^ Long (1982) p.178.
38. Jump up^ Tester (1987) p.64 .
39. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos I.2 (Loeb: p.7 ).
40. Jump up^ The term "ambient" refers to the humoural state
of the surrounding air; ie, the 'enveloping environment'
( Ambient : "relating to the immediate surroundings of
something" Oxford English Dictionary . Retrieved 4 September
2011.
41. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos I.2 (Loeb: p.13 ).
42. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos I.2 (Loeb: p.13 ), ie ., those who "for
the sake of gain, claim credence for another art under the name
of this, and deceive the vulgar". In his commentary on
theTetrabiblos Jerome Cardan gave the example of those who
give elaborate predictions based only on the day or month of
birth.
43. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos I.2 (Loeb: p.19 ): "We should not
object to astrologers using as a basis for calculation nationality,
country, and rearing, or any other existing accidental qualities".
Most of book II is given to exploring the stereotypes of nations in
astrological terms.
44. Jump up^ Lindberg (2007) p.247ff .
45. Jump up^ Cicero (c. 45 BC) II.25,54, p.433 : "why do they
warn us of things which we cannot avoid? Why, even a mortal, if
he has a proper sense of duty, does not warn his friends of
imminent disasters which can in no way be escaped".
46. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e f Tetrabiblos I.3 (Loeb: pp.2123 ).
47. Jump up^ Kieckhefer (2000) p.128 .
48. ^ Jump up to:a b c d Tetrabiblos I.3 (Loeb: pp.2529 ).
49. ^ Jump up to:a b Riley (1974) p.255.
50. ^ Jump up to:a b Tester (1987) p.59 .
51. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos I.4 (Loeb: p.37 ). See also Riley
(1988)p.69.
52. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos I.57 (Loeb: pp.3943 ).
53. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos I.8 (Loeb: p.45 ). The first quarter of
the synodic cycle brings an added emphasis on moisture; the
next increases warmth; the next (in which the cycle is receding)
withdraws the moisture and brings an added emphasis on
dryness, and the final quarter (which closes the cycle) withdraws
warmth and brings an added emphasis on coldness.
54. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos I.9 (Loeb: p.47 ).
55. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos I.9 (Loeb: p.59 ).
56. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos I.10 (Loeb: pp.5965 ).
The Ascendant is the eastern angle, associated with the east
wind ( Apeliotes) which excels in dryness; the midheaven is the
southern angle, associated with the south wind ( Notus ) which
excels in heat; the descendant is the western angle, associated
with the west wind ( Zephyrus ) which excels in moisture; and
the Imum Coeli is the northern angle, associated with the north
wind ( Boreas ) which excels in cold.
57. Jump up^ It is sometimes suggested that Ptolemy
invented the tropical zodiac or broke conventional practice in his
use of it; see for example Heilen, 'Ptolemy's Doctrine of the
Terms and its Reception', p.52 , in Jones (2010) , or Robert and
Dann, The Astrological Revolution , (Steiner Books,
2010)p.234 . However, it is clear that Ptolemy was merely
following convention, as demonstrated by Geminos's
Introduction to the phenomena , 'On the Circle of the Signs'ch.1 ,
where the tropical zodiac is given detailed explanation in a text
dated to the 1st century BCE, and known to be based on the
accounts of older authorities (Evans and Berggren (2006) ,
Preface, p.xvi and Introduction,p.2 ); and also because Ptolemy
states that he is offering the methods of his older sources: "it is
reasonable to reckon the beginnings of the signs also from the
equinoxes and solstices, partly because the writers make this
quite clear, and particularly because from our previous
demonstrations we observe that their natures, powers, and
familiarities take their cause from the solstitial and equinoctial
starting-places, and from no other source. For if other starting-
places are assumed, we shall either be compelled no longer to
use the natures of the signs for prognostications or, if we use
them, to be in error" (I.22, Loeb: p.109111 ).
58. Jump up^ Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-
English Lexicon : A: '- , , () ('turn, turning'); 1.b
"each of two fixed points in the solar year, the solstices ".
Retrieved 24 November 2011.
59. Jump up^ Although the rate of revolution is only 1 every
72 years, it adds up over long periods of time. Nearly 2,000
years have passed since Ptolemy wrote his Tetrabiblos so the
displacement is now approximating to the distance of a whole
zodiac sign. The full cycle completes over the course of 26,000
years - see Evans (1998) p.245ff .
60. Jump up^ Ptolemy described only Cancer and Capricorn
as 'tropical' and referred to Aries and Libra (the signs of spring
 and autumn) as the equinoctial signs. Generally, other ancient
authors referred to all four as tropical, to distinguish them from
the 'solid' signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius) which
indicate established seasons, and the 'bi-corporeal' signs
(Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces), which Ptolemy says are
so called because "they share, as it were, at end and beginning,
the natural properties of the two states of weather" (I.11,
Loeb: p.69 ).
61. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos I.11 (Loeb: p.67 ): "They have
received their name from what takes place in them. For the Sun
turns when he is at the beginning of these signs and reverses
his latitudinal progress, causing summer in Cancer and winter in
Capricorn".
62. Jump up^ By comparison, Vettius Valens mentions the
fact that Cancer is a tropical sign as one of 14 descriptive terms
for the sign, and sets out the character traits of those "so born",
which includes reference to Cancerians being "changeable"
(Anthology , I.2).
63. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos I.11 (Loeb: p.65 ).
64. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos I.17 (Loeb: p.79 ).
65. Jump up^ For which reason he notes, but dismisses as
illogical, the use of dodecatemoria (the 12-fold division of each
zodiac-sign into segments of 2 1 2 ). His argument is that such
manufactured numerical divisions have no basis in the natural
astronomical cycles.
66. Jump up^ For example, where he explains the three
different ways by which the signs can be classified as masculine
or feminine (I.12, pp.6973 ).
67. Jump up^ Riley (1974) p.247: "Quite different approaches
were used by the other astrological writers, who are concerned
with practical matters. Dorotheus begins, not with a proof of the
validity of astrology or a description of the universe, but with
instructions for calculating births, the native's status, the native's
parents status, his brothers, and so on".
68. Jump up^ The 4th-century astrologer Julius Firmicus
Maternusdescribes in his Mathesis (7.II) how oaths of silence
were required by Orpheus , Pythagoras , Plato and Porphyry .
Vettius Valens declared that his teachings should not be
imparted to the ignorant or through chance encounters
(Anthology 293.2629) and relates how Critodemus extracted
"frightful oaths" from his students (150.16).
69. Jump up^ Riley (1974) p.250: "Ptolemy, for whatever
reason, shows few signs of the animosity toward fellow
professionals which is so evident in ancient literary society".
70. Jump up^ Riley (1974) p.236.
71. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos II,1 (Loeb: p.119 ): "And since
weaker natures always yield to the stronger, and the particular
always falls under the general, it would by all means be
necessary for those who purpose an inquiry about a single
individual long before to have comprehended the more general
considerations".
72. ^ Jump up to:a b Tetrabiblos II.2 (Loeb: p.123, 127 ).
73. Jump up^ A footnote in the Robbins edition offers Jerome
Cardan 's explanation that Ptolemy's "inhabited world" was
conceived "as a trapezium, narrower at the top (north) than the
bottom, and bounded by arcs; this is divided into quadrants by
north-south and east-west lines. The 'parts closer to the centre'
are then marked off by lines joining the ends of the two latter,
dividing each quadrant and producing 4 right-angled triangles at
the centre". Robbins (1940) p.129, n. 2 ).
74. Jump up^ The triplicity groups connect the signs that
stand 120 apart, and so create the shape of a triangle when
joined by lines from degree to degree within the 360 circle of
the zodiac. These groups are later known as the fire, earth, air
and water signs, but Ptolemy does not refer to them this way.
75. Jump up^ The north-eastern quarter (Scythia) is given to
the triplicity of Gemini (including Libra and Aquarius); the south-
eastern (Greater Asia ) to the triplicity of Taurus (inc. Virgo and
Capricorn); and the south-western ( Ancient Libya , which
corresponds to Northwest Africa ), to the triplicity of Cancer
(including Scorpio and Pisces).
76. ^ Jump up to:a b c Tetrabiblos II.3 (Loeb: pp.131137 ).
77. ^ Jump up to:a b Tetrabiblos II.3 (Loeb: pp.157161 ).
78. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos II.4 (Loeb: p.161 ).
79. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos II.4 (Loeb: p.163 ). The planetary
stations are where each planet's motion, according to geocentric
observation, appears to halt and change direction. This leads
the planet into or out of a period of apparent retrograde motion .
80. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos II.4 (Loeb: p.163 ). See also II.7
(Loeb:p.177 ), where the extent of obscuration helps to
determine the proportion of those in the region who will feel its
effect.
81. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos II.6 (Loeb: p.167 ).
82. Jump up^ Effects are assumed to be most effective at the
beginning of the period if the eclipse is visible near to
the ascendant ; in the middle of the period if it is near to
the midheaven , and at the end of the period if it is near to
the descendant . Attention is given to significant planetary
 conjunctions which fall upon, or make aspects to, the zodiac
position in which the eclipse occurred. In this, planets that are
rising into view in new synodic cycles signify the intensification
of effects, whereas planets which are at the end of their synodic
phases and disappearing under the glare of the Sun's light bring
abatements (II. 6 Loeb: p.169 ).
83. Jump up^ The four 'angles' of the chart show where the
ecliptic cuts the eastern horizon ( ascendant ), the upper
meridian (midheaven ), the western horizon ( descendant ) and
the lower meridian ( Immum Coeli ). For an eclipse to be visible
and therefore astrologically relevant, it must occur above the
horizon, either preceding or succeeding the midheaven. If it falls
between the ascendant and the midheaven, then the relevant
preceding angle is the ascendant. If it falls between the
midheaven and the descendant, then the relevant preceding
angle is the midheaven.
84. Jump up^ A procedure is outlined to establish the most
significant planet. Preference is given to the planet which holds
dominance over the eclipse degree but if the planet that governs
the preceding angle is also powerful, preference is given to
whichever is closest to one of the angles of the chart. If it is
impossible to distinguish between them, both are used as
partners in the signification of effect.
85. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos II.8 (Loeb: pp.177179 ). Particular
attention is given to the star that rises on the ascendant or
culminates on the midheaven, whichever of these is the relevant
preceding angle. (II.7 Loeb: p.171 ).
86. Jump up^ As an example of how this might be applied, an
eclipse dominated by the 'beneficial planet' Jupiter, in good
condition, would suggest prosperity and good meteorological
conditions, whereas a planet considered to be destructive, such
as Saturn, would suggest scarcity, freezing weather and floods
(II.8 Loeb: pp.181183 ). If the event involves the tropical signs
of the zodiac, the effects could be related to politics, whereas
fixed signs indicate foundations and constructions of buildings,
whilst common signs indicate men and kings. If the animal signs
are involved, the effects relate to herds or oxen, but if the sign or
constellation presents the form of water or fish, the influence
connects to the sea, fleets and floods. Of the 'terrestrial' signs
(those depicted by humans or animals that live on land),
the northern signsanticipate problems such as earthquakes that
arise from the land, whilst the southern signs bring unexpected
rains (II.7 Loeb: pp.171175 ).
87. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos II.8 (Loeb: p.191 ).
88. Jump up^ Ptolemy, Almagest (2nd century) III.7.
89. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos II.9 (Loeb: p.193 ): "For if they
appear black or livid they signify the effects which were
mentioned in connection with Saturn's nature; if white, those of
Jupiter; if reddish, those of Mars; if yellow, those of Venus; and if
variegated, those of Mercury. If the characteristic colour appears
to cover the whole body of the luminary or the whole region
surrounding it, the predicted event will affect most of the parts of
the countries; but if it is in any one part, it will affect only that part
against which the phenomenon is inclined".
90. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos II.9 (Loeb: p.193 ).
91. Jump up^ Riley (1988) p.76. In footnote 15 Riley also
notes Franz Boll 's argument that Ptolemy borrowed the
structure of some components of this book from Posidonius .
92. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos II.8 Loeb: p.189 ): "Consequently
questions of this kind would reasonably be left to the enterprise
and ingenuity of the mathematician, [ie, astrologer] in order to
make the particular distinctions".
93. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos II.10 (Loeb: p.199 ).
94. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos II.13 (Loeb: p.219 ).
95. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos II.12 (Loeb: p.213 ).
96. ^ Jump up to:a b c Tetrabiblos III.1 (Loeb: pp.2217 ).
97. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos III.1 (Loeb: p.225 ). This
explanation was mirrored in subsequent discussions on why the
moment of birth is more reliable, though not separate, from the
moment of conception. For example, Johannes Kepler was
following Ptolemy when he wrote in his Tertius
Interveniens (1610): "When a human being's life is first ignited,
when he now has his own life, and can no longer remain in the
womb - then he receives a character and an imprint of all the
celestial configurations (or the images of the rays intersecting on
earth), and retains them unto his grave". See 7.1 ofTranslated
excerpts by Dr. Kenneth G. Negus on Cura , retrieved 17
November 2011.
98. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos III.2 (Loeb: p.231 ).
99. Jump up^ Ptolemy's method involves consideration of the
precedingsyzygy (New or Full Moon before birth). The text
explains the principles of the ancient astrological technique
elsewhere known as the 'Animodar method of rectification' (or
'System/Trutine of Hermes') which became a standard
rectification procedure for Medieval and Renaissance
astrologers.
100. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos III.6 (Loeb: p.255 ).
101. Jump up^ For example ( III.8 ): "if even in this case not
one of the beneficent planets bears witness to any of the places
mentioned, the offspring are entirely irrational and in the true
sense of the word nondescript; but if Jupiter or Venus bears
witness, the type of monster will be honoured and seemly, such
as is usually the case with hermaphrodites or the so called
harpocratiacs [deaf mutes]".
102. Jump up^ Tester (1987) p.84 : "That the topic was of
great importance is shown by the length of Ptolemy's chapter
and the number of illustrations he gives to help the reader
understand an immensely complex procedure. This is very
unusual since Ptolemy tends to avoid details of practice, and
consequently needs and uses few illustrations".
103. Jump up^ Tester (1987) p.84 . Original source given
asL'astrologie greque , 404 (Paris: Leroux, 1899).
104. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos III.10 (Loeb: p.285 ).
105. Jump up^ Riley (1988) p.68.
106. Jump up^ Tester (1987) p.61 .
107. ^ Jump up to:a b Campion, Nicholas, 'Astronomy and the Soul',
inTymieniecka (2010) p.250.
108. Jump up^ Campion, Nicholas, 'Astronomy and the Soul',
inTymieniecka (2010) p.251 (acknowledging reference to Van
der Waerden , Bartel, (1974) Science awakening , vol. II, 'The
birth of astronomy'. Leyden and New York: Oxford University
Press).
109. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos III.13 (Loeb: p.333 ). See also
Campion inTymieniecka (2010) p.251.
110. ^ Jump up to:a b Tetrabiblos III.14 (Loeb: pp.3659 ).
111. ^ Jump up to:a b Tetrabiblos IV.1 (Loeb: p.373 ).
112. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos IV.1 (Loeb: p.373 ).
113. Jump up^ Lilly (1647) p.143, (for example) repeats the
instruction according to Ptolemy in his chapter 23: 'Of the Part of
Fortune and how to take it, either by day or night'.
114. Jump up^ Greenbaum, Dorian G., 'Calculating the Lots of
Fortune and Daemon in Hellenistic astrology', in Burnett and
Greenbaum (2007) pp.171173, 1845.
115. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos IV.5 (Loeb: pp.3935 ).
116. Jump up^ Tester (1987) p.84 .
117. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos III.3 (Loeb: p.223 ).
118. ^ Jump up to:a b c Tetrabiblos IV.10 (Loeb: pp.439441 ).
119. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos IV.10 (Loeb: pp.443447 ).
120. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos IV.10 (Loeb: pp.451455 ). For
more on these techniques see Astrological progression .
121. ^ Jump up to:a b Robbins (1940) 'Translator's Introduction', p.xxi .
122. Jump up^ Schmidt (1998) book IV, p.50.
123. Jump up^ Tetrabiblos IV.10 (Loeb: p.459 ). See
also Robbins (1940) 'Translator's Introduction', p.xxi for
discussion of the variants. The comment quoted is from the
ending according to Parisinus 2425.
124. Jump up^ Riley (1974) p.235.
125. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e f g h i Houlding, Deborah 'Ptolemy's terms and
conditions: the transmission of Ptolemy's terms; an historical
overview, comparison and interpretation', in Burnett and
Greenbaum (2007) ; reproduced online at Skyscript (see p.3
4,6,11,15); retrieved 7 December 2011.
126. Jump up^ See Houlding in Burnett and Greenbaum
(2007) p.277; and Charles Burnett's 'notice' in the preface to the
reproduction of Plato de Tivoli's translation by Johannes
Hervagius in 1533 (available in digital format by the Warburg
Institute (retrieved 19 November 2011).
127. Jump up^ Heilen, Stephan, 'Ptolemy's Doctrine of the
Terms and its Reception', in Jones (2010) p.70.
128. ^ Jump up to:a b Westman (2011) p.43
129. ^ Jump up to:a b c Heilen, Stephan, 'Ptolemy's Doctrine of the
Terms and its Reception', in Jones (2010) , pp.6263 .
130. Jump up^ Ashmand (1822) 'Preface' pp.xvii . The
unknown author of the 'Address' in the 1635 Elzevir edition
reports that it "was translated a few years ago" and says of its
author Allatius: "He ... holds some office in the Vatican Library.
He undertook his present work, however, for his own private
gratification, and that of certain friends; but when writings
compiled with this view have once quitted their author's hands, it
will often happen that they have also, at the same time, escaped
his control."
131. Jump up^ See Houlding, in Burnett and Greenbaum
(2007) , p.266 n.12, for discussion of the earlier English
language editions.
132. Jump up^ Robbins (1940) 'Translator's Introduction' IV, in
particularp.xviii . See also Hbner (1998) p.xiii.
133. ^ Jump up to:a b Robbins (1940) 'Translator's
Introduction' p.xxiii .
134. Jump up^ Robbins (1940) 'Translator's Introduction' p.xiv :
"Professor Franz Boll, whose studies of Ptolemy have been cited
many times already, had begun work upon a new edition of
the Tetrabiblos prior to his lamented death, July 3, 1924. His
pupil, Frulein Emilie Boer, however, continued Boll's task, and
the appearance of their completed text has been awaited since
 1926. I regret very much that my own work on the present text
and translation could not have profited from the results of the
textual studies of these two scholars".
135. Jump up^ Schmidt (1994) book I, p.viiviii.
136. Jump up^ Tiziano Dorandi, The Classical Review (2000),
New Series, Vol. 50, No. 1, pp. 3032 (reported by Houlding
inBurnett and Greenbaum (2007) p.273).
137. ^ Jump up to:a b c d Grafton (1999) pp.1367 .
138. ^ Jump up to:a b Heilen, Stephan, 'Ptolemy's Doctrine of the
Terms and its Reception', in Jones (2010) , pp.6566 .
139. Jump up^ Robbins (1940) 'Translator's Introduction',
III p.xvi .
140. Jump up^ See for example, Robbins (1940) p.98,
n.2 and p.106, n.2 .
141. ^ Jump up to:a b c Sela (2003) pp.3212 .
142. ^ Jump up to:a b c Houlding (2006) 'Introduction' .
143. Jump up^ Houlding (2006) 'Introduction' ; Tester
(1987) pp. 1545 .

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Schmidt, Robert, 19948. Tetrabiblos , vols. 14. Berkely Springs: Project Hindsight.
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That Have Shaped Our World View. New York: Harmony Books. ISBN 978-0-517-
57790-5 .
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sixteenth and seventeenth century England . London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson. ISBN
978-0-297-00220-8 .
Thorndike, Lynn, 192358. A History of Magic and Experimental Science , vols. 1-
12. New York: Macmillan; Columbia University Press. OCLC 645400199.
Tymieniecka, Anna-Teresa, 2010. Astronomy and Civilisation in the New
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Westman, Robert S., 2011. The Copernican Question: Prognostication, Scepticism,
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7.

Lecturas adicionales [editar]

Theoretical and Practical Astrology: Ptolemy and his Colleagues by Mark Riley,
1974; Transactions of the American Philological Association , 117, (Baltimore; London:
Johns Hopkins University Press). Explores the difference of approach taken by
Ptolemy to that of other contemporary astrologers.
Science and Tradition in the Tetrabiblos by Mark Riley, 1988; Proceedings of the
American Philosophical Society , 132.1, (Philadelphia: American Philosophical
Society). Considers the question of what Ptolemy contributed to astrology and why his
work was so significant.

Enlaces externos [editar]

Encuentre ms sobre
Tetrabiblos
al de Wikipedia proyectos hermanos
 Medios de los Comunes

Citas de Wikiquote

Textos originales de Wikisource

English language reproductions of the Tetrabiblos and associated texts

Henry Coley, Centiloquium from Clavis Eliminata (1676); London: Josuah Coniers.
Skyscript; retrieved 26 November 2011.
JM Ashmand's translation of Paraphrase (1822); London: Davis and Dickson. Sacred
Texts Archive; retrieved 16 November 2011.
James Wilson's translation Paraphrase (1828); London: William Hughes. Google
Books; retrieved 16 November 2011.
Frank E. Robbins' translation of Tetrabiblos (1940); Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard
University Press; London: W. Heinemann. LacusCurtius; retrieved 16 November 2011.
Frank E. Robbins' translation of Tetrabiblos bound with WG Waddell's translation of
Manetho's History of Egypt(1940). Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press;
London: W. Heinemann. Internet Archive, retrieved 16 November 2011.
Greek and Latin reproductions of the Tetrabiblos and associated texts

Erhard Ratdolt, Venice, 1484 . First printed Latin edition of Tetrabiblos based on Egidio
Tebaldi's 13th-century Latin translation out of Arabic. Also includes
the Centiloquium and Commentary by Haly Abenragel (Albohazen). Biblioteca Virtual
del Patrimonio Bibliografico; retrieved 10 November 2011.
Bonetum Locatellum, Venice, 1493 . Compemdium of Latin texts including
the Tetrabiblos , Centiloquium , and Ali ibn Ridwan 's Commentary . Gallica
Bibliothque nationale de France; retrieved 20 November 2011.
Heirs of Octavius Scoti, Venice, 1519 . Compendium of Latin texts including
the Tetrabiblos and Centiloquium .Universidad de Sevilla; retrieved 20 November 2011.
Johannes Hervagius, Basel, 1533 . Latin edition based on Plato de Tivoli 's translation.
Warburg Institute; retrieved 19 November 2011.
Heinrich Petri, Basel, 1541 . Latin edition containing Ptolemy's Almagest , Tetrabiblos ,
and the Centiloquium . Biblioteca Virtual del Patrimonio Bibliografico; retrieved 19
November 2011.
Heinrich Petri, Basel, 1591 . Latin reproduction of Hieronymous Wolf's translation the
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Bibliografico; retrieved 19 November 2011.
Leo Allatius, Lugd. Batavorum, 1635 . Greek and Latin translation of the
'anonymous' Proclus Paraphrase ( Procli Diadochi Paraphrasis ) based on manuscripts
housed in the Vatican Library (oldest dates to 10th century: Codex Vaticanus
Graecus 1453). Warburg Institute; retrieved 19 November 2011.
Emily Boer, Leipzig, 1961 . Greek language edition of the Centiloquium published by
Teubner. Open Library; retrieved 26 November 2011.
Greek and Latin astrological works with substantial reference to the Tetrabiblos and
the Commentary

Jerome Cardan, Lyon, 1578 . Cl. Ptolemi, de Astrorum Iudiciis (Latin). Herzog August
Bibliothek Wolfenbuttel; retrieved 19 November 2011.
Francisco Junctinus, Basel, 1583 . Speculum astrologiae (Latin). Universad de Sevilla;
retrieved 19 November 2011.
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Atlas
El Atlas Estelar Uranometra Argentina 2001 representa
el cielo observable a simple vista desde el hemisferio sur.
Uranometra significa de acuerdo con su
etimologa medida de los cielos y se reserva a los
catlogos y atlas de las estrellas visibles sin instrumento
alguno.

Est basado en el catlogo de la clebre Uranometra

Argentina, realizado por el Observatorio Nacional
Argentino desde la ciudad de Crdoba entre 1870 y 1879.
Muestra todas las estrellas visibles en los oscuros cielos
de aquellos aos hasta la magnitud 7 y algunas de menor
brillo. A pesar que en la actualidad el lmite de magnitud
a caido por debajo de este valor a causa de la polucin
luminosa, se han incluido todas las estrellas con la
intencin de que resulte til para la observacin con
pequeos binoculares. El catlogo fue digitalizado,
actualizado y se corrigieron los errores encontrados.

El eje de la Tierra se encuentra inclinado 23 27 y gira

describiendo un cono cada 25.765 aos. Este fenmeno,
denominado precesin de los equinoccios, provoca un
cambio en los valores de las coordenadas con que se
ubican los objetos en el cielo. Por esta causa las
coordenadas del catlogo -1875 fueron corregidas al
ao 2000 para compensar este cambio.

Los lmites de las constelaciones se han modificado para

hacerlos coincidir con los actualmente admitidos por la
Unin Internacional de Astronoma.

Los 25 mapas abarcan todo el cielo entre el polo sur

celeste y la declinacin 10 norte, incluyendo ms de
8.600 estrellas.

Fueron identificadas las estrellas cuya luminosidad vara,

registradas en el Catlogo General de Estrellas Variables,
las que se marcaron con un crculo vaco. Se incluyen
todas aquellas cuyo brillo mximo llega a la magnitud 7 y
varan un mnimo de 0,3 magnitudes. Sus caractersticas
junto a la de otros objetos astronmicos de inters,
pueden verse en el documentoDatos Astronmicos.
 Los mapas se superponen mucho con la finalidad de
facilitar la observacin. Por idntica razn, en contra de
las convenciones, el polo sur se encuentra arriba, pues el
Atlas est destinado a su uso en el hemisferio sur.

Adaptado de: Minniti E. R. y Paolantonio S.

2001, Infinito, Maravillas del Cielo Austral, Congreso
Internacional de Educacin Escuela Normal Superior Dr.
Alejandro Carb, Talleres grficos Soluciones Grficas,
Crdoba. I.S.B.N. 987-43-3379-0.

por S. Paolantonio

Bibliografa:

Gould Benjamin A. 1879, Uranometra Argentina,

Catlogo y Atlas. Posiciones y brillos de 7756 estrellas
ms brillantes que magnitud 7.0, ubicadas dentro de los
100 del polo sur 1875.0, Resultados del Observatorio
Nacional Argentino, Volumen 1.
Gould Benjamin A. 1881b, Corrigenda in the
Uranometria Argentina, Astronomische Nachrichten, N
2377, pp. 7-10.
Gould Benjamin A. 1881c, Corrigenda in the
Uranometria Argentina, Astronomische Nachrichten N
2390, p.222.
Paolantonio S. y Minniti E. R. 2001, Uranometra
Argentina 2001, Historia del Observatorio Nacional
Argentina, SECyT-Observatorio Astronmico Universidad
Nacional de Crdoba, Crdoba.

Datos astronmicos

Atlas Estelar Uranometra Argentina 2001

ua2001_mapa01 Polo Sur -90 a -60

 ua2001_mapa02 A.R. 22h a 0h a 2h Dec. -35 a -
65

ua2001_mapa03 A.R. 22h a 0h a 2h Dec. -10 a -

40

ua2001_mapa04 A.R. 01h a 05h Dec. -35 a -65

ua2001_mapa05 A.R. 01h a 05h Dec. -10 a -40

ua2001_mapa06 A.R. 04h a 08h Dec. -35 a -65

ua2001_mapa07 A.R. 04h a 08h Dec. -10 a -40

ua2001_mapa08 A.R. 07h a 11h Dec. -35 a -65

ua2001_mapa09 A.R. 07h a 11h Dec. -10 a -40
ua2001_mapa10 A.R. 10h a 14h Dec. -35 a -65
ua2001_mapa11 A.R. 10h a 14h Dec. -10 a -40
ua2001_mapa12 A.R. 13h a 17h Dec. -35 a -65
ua2001_mapa13 A.R. 13h a 17h Dec. -10 a -40
ua2001_mapa14 A.R. 16h a 20h Dec. -35 a -65
ua2001_mapa15 A.R. 16h a 20h Dec. -10 a -40
ua2001_mapa16 A.R. 19h a 23h Dec. -35 a -65
ua2001_mapa17 A.R. 19h a 23h Dec. -10 a -40
ua2001_mapa18 A.R. 22h a 0h a 2h Dec. -15 a
+10

ua2001_mapa19 A.R. 01h a 05h Dec. -15 a +10

ua2001_mapa20 A.R. 04h a 08h Dec. -15 a +10

 ua2001_mapa21 A.R. 07h a 11h Dec. -15 a +10

ua2001_mapa22 A.R. 10h a 14h Dec. -15 a +10

ua2001_mapa23 A.R. 13h a 17h Dec. -15 a +10

ua2001_mapa24 A.R. 16h a 20h Dec. -15 a +10

ua2001_mapa25 A.R. 19h a 23h Dec. -15 a +10