Roger Beck

Brief History of Ancient Astrology

• Broschiertes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

A Brief History of Ancient Astrology explores the theory and practice of astrology from Babylon to ancient Greece and Rome. While recognizing the modern dichotomy between science and superstition, Roger Beck acknowledges the historical symbiosis between astrology and astronomy as it existed in the ancient world. This book explains the ancient understanding of the zodiac and its twelve signs, the seven planets, and the fixed circle of "places" against which the signs and planets revolve. Using actual ancient horoscopes and handbooks, the author demonstrates how to construct and interpret a horoscope in the ancient manner. The book also discusses the sociopolitical and cultural impact of astrology on the Graeco-Roman world. The author addresses the relevance of ancient astrology today, presenting it not as a predictive art, but as a medium for telling stories about our world and the human condition.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Wiley
• Seitenzahl: 176
• Erscheinungstermin: 10. November 2006
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 216mm x 140mm x 10mm
• Gewicht: 230g
• ISBN-13: 9781405110747
• ISBN-10: 1405110740
• Artikelnr.: 21692869

Autorenporträt

Roger Beck is Emeritus Professor at the University Toronto. He is the author of The Religion of the Mithras Cult in the Roman Empire (2006).

Inhaltsangabe

List of Figures.

List of Tables.

Preface.

1. Introduction. What was Astrology in Ancient Greece andRome?

2. Origins and Types of Astrology. The Transfer of Astrologyfrom Babylon. The Pseudo-History of Astrology: "AlienWisdom".

3. The Product: How to Construct a Simple Horoscope, AncientStyle.

4. Structure and Meaning in the Horoscope, 1: The Aspects andthe "Places".

5. Structure and Meaning in the Horoscope, 2: The Zodiac and itsSigns.

6. Structure and Meaning in the Horoscope, 3: The Planets.

7. Horoscopes and their Interpretation.

8. A Matter of Life and Death: "Starters,""Destroyers," and "Length of Life." SomeSociopolitical Implications of Astrology.

9. Conclusion: Why Bother with Ancient Astrology in theTwenty-First Century?

Notes.

References.

Index.

Rezensionen

"[Beck's] writing is clear, lively and accessible;concepts and technical details are well explained..."(The Classical Review, Vol 58 No. 1 2008)

"This is a work likely to entice readers to further pursue thesubject ... Recommended." (Choice)

"Roger Beck's book does credit to the author: It is clear,and, possibly most importantly, it gives its reader a taste of whatthe study of ancient astrology may be like ... Should one look foran introduction to the extremely complex field of study, RogerBeck's book is an excellent choice." (Bryn Mawr ClassicalReview)

"Written in a charming colloquial style in which the personalvoice of the author is present throughout, full of well-intentionedexamples from ancient sources, and furnished with useful diagrams,Beck's book is extremely user friendly ... A book thatdoes an excellent job at enabling non-specialists (such asclassicists and ancient historians) to grasp both the science thatunderlies ancient astrology and the mentality that drove it."(Aestimatio: Critical Reviews in the History of Science)"Beck's account is eloquent, compelling, and accessible -even when dealing with technical aspects of horoscopy; it will beof consequence to all those interested in astral symbolism, insemiotics, or in the mentality underlying classical thought."
-Luther H. Martin, University of Vermont