Claudius Ptolemy (c.100 - c.178 AD), of Alexandria, was one of the
greatest philosopher/scientists of the ancient world. Among his
books are the Almagest, Geography, Optics, Planispherium and
Tetrabiblos. The earliest surviving version of Tetrabiblos is the
paraphrase attributed to Proclus the Philosopher (412-485).
Tetrabiblos (literally, "four books") was long thought to be a
complete survey of Greek astrology. Recent research suggests this
not to be the case, but Ptolemy's work remains the foundation of
western astrology. In particular, his persuasive use of the
Tropical Zodiac, rather than the Sidereal, changed western
astrology forever. Book 1 of Tetrabiblos defines various technical
terms and supplies other information needed by the astrologer.
Chapters 9, 10 and 11 detail the influence of fixed stars in
various constellations. Book 2 is the astrology of nations and
their rulers. Books 3 & 4 are devoted to Natal Astrology. Book
3, chapter 2, explains Ptolemy's method of rectifying the
Ascendant. Chapter 10 gives a method for determining life
expectancy. Book 4 deals with wealth, rank, employment, marriage,
children, death, etc. Published editions of Tetrabiblos
traditionally include extracts from the Almagest (a compendium of
Greek astronomy), as well as "Ptolemy's Centiloquy," a list of
aphorisms, the authorship of which is disputed. Many of the 100
deal with horary astrology. They have been studied by astrologers
for centuries. Translations: Gardner (1911) lists four English
translations of Tetrabiblos. The first was by John Walley, 1701.
The second was Walley's translation, edited by Sibley and Brown,
1786, which is said to be worthless. The third, by James Wilson
(author ofthe famous Dictionary of Astrology), was published in
1820. The fourth (this one, by far the best), was by J.M. Ashmand,
1822. A fifth translation was made in 1940 by F.E. Robbins. Of
these several translators, only Ashmand could claim to be both a
Greek and Latin scholar as well as an experienced astrologer. We
are honored to present Ashmand's translation to a new generation of
students. Ashmand's dedication is to Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832),
author of Waverly, an historical novel about the Scots rebellion of
1745. To Ptolemy's text, Ashmand adds his own preface, as well as a
note on Mr. Ranger's Zodiacal Planisphere. Every serious
astrologer, from the 3rd century to the present, has studied the
Tetrabiblos. With the current revival of traditional astrology, it
remains essential reading.
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