In this class, you will be introduced to the forms of astrology practised by the ancient Greek and Roman astrologers from around the 2nd century B.C.E. to the fourth century C.E.. Briefly, the defining characteristics of ancient Greek astrology will be brought out in relief from those of the ancient Babylonian and Egyptian forms of astral divination that came before. We’ll then give a more detailed overview of the main astrological texts and teachings of six of the most prominent and influential ancient Greek and Roman astrologers whose texts have survived: Marcus Manilius, Dorotheus of Sidon, Claudius Ptolemy, Vettius Valens, Antiochus of Athens, and Julius Firmicus Maternus, and how they differ from each other. An hour is not enough time for an in-depth technical account of Hellenistic astrology. The aim of this class is rather to help familiarise you with these key ancient astrologers, the salient points of their works, and their place in the history of western astrology.
Philip Graves is an astrological historian and librarian who been studying astrology and its history for more than 28 years. Since 2016, he has had over 30 historical essays published in the astrological press, including The Mountain Astrologer, The Astrological Journal, Infinity Astrological Magazine and The Career Astrologer. He has previously lectured on historical astrological topics for the 9th International Conference of Astrology at Perugia, Italy (2017), the 3rd and 5th European Conferences on Astrology (2021 and 2023), and the Astrological Association Conference (2023), as well as for an OPA seminar.
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- Philip Graves: Ancient Greek and Roman Astrology - 285.45M