Rhetorius
Encyclopedia
Rhetorius of Egypt was the last major classical astrologer
from whom we have any excerpts. He lived in the sixth or early seventh century, in the early Byzantine
era. He wrote an extensive compendium in Greek
of the techniques of the Hellenistic astrologers who preceded him, and is one of our best sources for the work of Antiochus of Athens
. Although no intact original manuscript survives of his work, we do have several late Byzantine versions of it.
Rhetorius provides important confirmation of the survival of the more obscure astrological techniques of Vettius Valens
, the practicing astrologer whose tradition is somewhat at variance with the more well-known methods of Claudius Ptolemy; for example, in his treatment of the Lot of Fortune
as a horoskopos
, much as Valens treated Lots, and in his use of sect with lots. In addition, Rhetorius discusses the late-Roman
systems of time lords, a topic which came to be heavily developed by the Persians, Arabs and medieval Europeans. Rhetorius provides an informative link between the earlier Hellenistic tradition and the Arab and medieval practices that followed him.
History of astrology
Astrology, the belief in a connection between the cosmos and terrestrial matters has played an important part in human history.Regional branches of astrology include Western astrology, Indian astrology, and Chinese or East Asian astrology.-Early origins:...
from whom we have any excerpts. He lived in the sixth or early seventh century, in the early Byzantine
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
era. He wrote an extensive compendium in Greek
Koine Greek
Koine Greek is the universal dialect of the Greek language spoken throughout post-Classical antiquity , developing from the Attic dialect, with admixture of elements especially from Ionic....
of the techniques of the Hellenistic astrologers who preceded him, and is one of our best sources for the work of Antiochus of Athens
Antiochus of Athens
Antiochus of Athens was an influential Hellenistic astrologer who flourished around 200 AD. There is some disagreement as to when he lived and wrote. Franz Cumont argued that he lived as early as the 1st century BC, while David Pingree placed him as late as the end of the 2nd century AD. The one...
. Although no intact original manuscript survives of his work, we do have several late Byzantine versions of it.
Rhetorius provides important confirmation of the survival of the more obscure astrological techniques of Vettius Valens
Vettius Valens
Vettius Valens was a 2nd-century Hellenistic astrologer, a somewhat younger contemporary of Claudius Ptolemy.Valens' major work is the Anthology, ten volumes in Greek written roughly within the period 150 to 175. The Anthology is the longest and most detailed treatise on astrology which has...
, the practicing astrologer whose tradition is somewhat at variance with the more well-known methods of Claudius Ptolemy; for example, in his treatment of the Lot of Fortune
Arabian Parts
In astrology, the Arabian/Arabic parts or lots are constructed points based on mathematical calculations of three horoscopic entities such as planets or angles...
as a horoskopos
Horoscope
In astrology, a horoscope is a chart or diagram representing the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, the astrological aspects, and sensitive angles at the time of an event, such as the moment of a person's birth. The word horoscope is derived from Greek words meaning "a look at the hours" In...
, much as Valens treated Lots, and in his use of sect with lots. In addition, Rhetorius discusses the late-Roman
Culture of ancient Rome
Ancient Roman culture existed throughout the almost 1200-year history of the civilization of Ancient Rome. The term refers to the culture of the Roman Republic, later the Roman Empire, which, at its peak, covered an area from Lowland Scotland and Morocco to the Euphrates.Life in ancient Rome...
systems of time lords, a topic which came to be heavily developed by the Persians, Arabs and medieval Europeans. Rhetorius provides an informative link between the earlier Hellenistic tradition and the Arab and medieval practices that followed him.
Sources
- Rhetorius the Egyptian, 'Astrological Compendium' (Tempe, Az.: A.F.A., Inc., 2009.) translated by James Herschel Holden
- Robert Schmidt, Project Hindsight
- Dorian Gieseler Greenbaum (translation and commentary). Late Classical Astrology: Paulus Alexandrinus and Olympiodorus (with the Scholia of later Latin Commentators). ARHAT, 2001.