ANCIENT ASTROLOGY THEORY AND PRACTICE: THE MATHESIS OF FIRMICUS MATERNUS — Translated from the Latin by Jean Rhys Bram — 1st Edition / 1st Printing, 1975 HC/DJ —Astrology, Zodiac, Hermetic, Occult Publisher: Noyes Classical Press, Park Ridge (1975)
The book is in excellent condition with minimal wear. The pages are crisp and clean. The dust jacket has light shelfwear and a crease on the inside flap. It remains uncut, with the original price still showing. 336 pages; illustrated. A very scarce translation of the ancient scholar's astrological and mathematical work. Jean R. Bram was one of the few scholars to reconstruct a thorough translation during the 20th century. Please see below for more information on the ancient author, J
ulius Firmicus Maternus.Biography
Julius Firmicus Maternus was a Latin writer
and notable astrologer, who received a pagan classical education that made him
conversant with Greek; he lived in the reign of Constantine I (306 to 337 AD)
and his successors. His triple career made him a public advocate and an
astrologer.
He was the author
of the most extensive surviving text of Roman astrology, Matheseos libri octo
("Eight books of astrology") written c. 334-37), of which manuscripts
further identify him as Iunior and Siculus, "of Sicily." The lunar
crater Firmicus was named in his honour.
The Matheseos
was dedicated to the governor of Campania, Lollianus Mavortius, whose knowledge
of the subject inspired Firmicus, and whose encouragement supported him during
the composition of this handbook. It is among the last extensive handbooks of a
"scientific" astrology that circulated in the West before the
appearance of Arabic texts in the 12th century. The Neoplatonist astrological work was first printed by Aldus
Manutius in 1501.
Book Translations
Ancient
Astrology: Theory and Practice. Matheseos Libri VIII by Firmicus Maternus,
translated by Jean Rhys Bram, Park Ridge, Noyes Press, 1975.
Mathesis, edited
and translated by James Herschel Holden, Tempe, Az., A.F.A., Inc., 2011.
