This book contains a translation of the Eight Books of the Mathesis by the 4th century astrologer Julius Firmicus Maternus along with some useful Indexes of Occupations, the Causes of Death, and Personal Characteristics. Book I: An essay on what astrology is Book II: The twelve signs Book III: Aspects and house placement of planets Book IV: Chart Interpretation Book V: The angles and the terms Book VI: The aspects Book VII: Life and death Book VIII: The degrees of the signs The translator, James H. Holden, is a well respected astrological scholar who has translated more than twenty astrology books that were written between the 2nd and 17th centuries. He is also the author of A History of Horoscopic Astrology.

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ++++ The below data was compiled from various identification fields in the bibliographic record of this title. This data is provided as an additional tool in helping to ensure edition identification: ++++ Sancti Eusebii Episcopi Vercellensis Opera Omnia; Volume 12 Of Patrologiae Cursus Completus Saint Eusebius (Bishop of Vercelli), Julius Firmicus Maternus, Saint Philastrius (Bishop of Brescia), Jacques-Paul Migne Excudebat Vrayet, 1845 Religion; Christianity; History; Christian literature, Early; Church history; Religion / Christian Church / History; Religion / Christian Theology / General; Religion / Christianity / History; Theology

This book contains a translation of the Eight Books of the Mathesis by the 4th century astrologer Julius Firmicus Maternus along with some useful Indexes of Occupations, the Causes of Death, and Personal Characteristics. The Eight Books are: Book I: An essay on what astrology is Book II: The twelve signs Book III: Aspects and house placement of planets Book IV: Chart Interpretation Book V: The angles and the terms Book VI: The aspects Book VII: Life and death Book VIII: The degrees of the signs James H. Holden, who translated the text from the Latin, is Research Director of the American Federation of Astrologers. A well respected astrological scholar, he has translated more than twenty astrology books that were written between the 2nd and 17th centuries. He is also the author of A History of Horoscopic Astrology

This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

Julius Firmicus Maternus, a native of Sicily, was a Roman lawyer of the senatorial class. He lived in the first half of the fourth century AD (c.280-c.360). He was also a student of Greek astrology, which forms the basis of this book. Of this book, James Herschel Holden writes, "The Mathesis is the lengthiest astrological treatise that has come down to us from the classical period. It consists of eight books, of which the first forms an introductory essay on astrology, and the rest set forth the fundamentals of Greek astrology. Several sections contain material that is found nowhere else...." (History of Horoscopic Astrology, pg. 66.) The translator writes, "Magic, philosophy, science and theology combine in strange ways in the thinking of the last centuries of the Roman empire..... Firmicus seemed worthy of note for many reasons. He is almost alone as author of works produced both before and after an apparent conversion to Christianity.... He left a lengthy handbook detailing the astrological practices of his day, the only work which has come down to us in its entirety 90% complete: Holden] out of numerous astrological treatises written in the Hellenistic and Roman periods..... This manual was important because it was the channel for astrological lore to the Middle Ages and Renaissance." (from the Preface) Jean Rhys Bram holds a degree in Latin from the University of Chicago, and a Ph.D. in Classics from New York University. She taught Latin, ancient Greek, and Mythology at Hunter College until her retirement. At 92, she continues to read widely and tutor students. She enjoys the company of twelve cats.