Ptolemy: Tetrabiblos

by Ptolemy, F.E. Robbins (Translator)

The "Tetrabiblos" of the famous astronomer, astrologer, and geographer Claudius Ptolemaeus (c. 100-178 CE) of Egypt consists of four books. The title given in some manuscripts meaning 'Mathematical Treatise in Four Books', in others 'The Prognostics addressed to Syrus'. The subject of the work is astrology, which in Ptolemy's time as down to the Renaissance was fused as a respectable science with astronomy.

Translations and commentaries of the "Tetrabiblos" are few, and only three Greek texts had been printed (all in the 16th century) before the present text, begun by F. Boll and finished by Emilie Boer in 1940.

Genres: Astrology, Science, History, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Classics, Esoterica

466 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 150

About the author

Geocentric model of Greek astronomer and geographer Ptolemy, who flourished in 2nd century at Alexandria, for the universe dominated cosmological theory until the Renaissance.

Ptolemy compiled Almagest , a comprehensive treatise on astronomy, geography, and mathematics, about 150.

The Ptolemaic system dominated medieval cosmology until Nicolaus Copernicus contradicted it.

Claudius Ptolemy (circa 90 – circa 168), a Roman citizen of Egypt, wrote. As a poet, he composed a single epigram in the Anthology. He lived in Egypt under Roman rule. Theodore Meliteniotes proposed possibly correct but late and unsupported birthplace in the town of Ptolemais Hermiou in the Thebaid circa 1360. No reason exists to suppose that he ever lived anywhere else.

Ptolemy authored at least three works of continuing importance to later Islamic and European science. People first knew originally Μαθηματικὴ Σύνταξις, "Mathematical Treatise"). The second Geography thoroughly discusses the knowledge of the Roman world. In the third, known sometimes as the Apotelesmatika (Ἀποτελεσματικά), more commonly as the Tetrabiblos (Τετράβιβλος, and in Latin as the Quadripartitum or four books, he attempted to adapt horoscopes to the Aristotelian natural philosophy of his day.

Reviews

[Erick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Claudius Ptolemy was one of the most renowned astronomers of the ancient world. When we speak of the Ptolemaic system, we are referring to the geocentric rather than the heliocentric cosmological model. During this period of astronomical study, astronomy and astrology were not really distinct disciplines. That being said, Ptolemy's Almagest might be considered his more astronomical work and the Tetrabiblos would be considered his more astrological one.

The only reason that I read this work rather than the Almagest first is that my copy of the Almagest got boxed up during my recent move and is still in storage. My copy of the Tetrabiblos wound up in a box of books that went with me to my current place of residence. The Tetrabiblos is not an uninteresting work, even though I must say that I do not put a lot of stock in astrology. One should keep in mind, however, that it was a branch of philosophical thought during this time. Certainly, Plato did accord to astrology some importance; but, as I said, astronomy and astrology were intimately intertwined for many hundreds (maybe even thousands) of years. The fact that often meglithic sites have some zodiacal sign as their inspiration does suggest that astrology in some form or another was a major influence on ancient societies. It does prevent me from dismissing it totally out of hand. I must reject any fatalistic aspects of astrology, but there may be some value in its function as demarcating periods of cosmic significance. The Greeks held that periods of time were associated with ruling deities and this would almost certainly include their assigned luminary. The bible seems to support this aspect of astrology. To explore this further here would be too much of a digression; suffice it to say that I do not dismiss all aspects of astrology out of hand, only the more subjectively fatalistic ones.

Ptolemy's main intent seems to be forecasting human experience and behavior using cosmological indicators. Certain planets and luminaries seem largely to be beneficial (e.g. Jupiter, Venus and the sun), others are almost always malignant (e.g. Mars and Saturn); at least one, Mercury, could be either beneficial or malignant depending on its recourse to various cosmic alliances. Many factors can influence persons and events on earth, i.e. whether a particular luminary is descending or ascending, and whether particular luminaries are found in particular zodiacal signs and whether they are coupled with other luminaries. One usually gets the sense in astrology that the factors are either so broad that almost any application will fit, or so technically specific that seemingly appropriate applications fail to meet the criteria.

The book is certainly worthwhile as a window into astrological belief during the Hellenistic era. I wouldn't take the position that much of it is practical, but this was undoubtedly seen as philosophical at the time, so I thought it was important to familiarize myself with it. I should mention there are a lot of typos in this createspace edition.

I added an image that shows the schematic for the antikythera mechanism. I felt that it was a fitting addition.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used in my Phd thesis. Clearly a well read and intelligent individual.

[daelin · Rating 2 out of 5]

i can admit i’m not nearly smart enough to understand this text. i can appreciate the academia absolutely coursing through each section. the weird inclusion of racism was off putting, but for a text from the 2nd century— i suppose i can’t hold it to today’s standards on anything. i want to reread this when im older and maybe more apt to understanding anything in this.

[Kevin Maxwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A difficult read from the 2nd century, with probably 20 or 30 new words and terms I had to look up in order to understand the astrology. (Zenith, Dexter, Trine, Quatrine, Angle, Doryphory etc.) In fact, I would recommend this as a guide for astrological language in ancient history in order to help translate other contemporary texts by analogy and usage of words. For instance, the word "earth" is used in a sentence that declares that Europe was the northwesternmost end of the earth. Showing us that earth really just meant "land". I don't buy much of the astrological influences but it helps me to understand the biblical language and parables around Nativity, Dominion, Governance, Houses, Lords, Sexes, planets, and the mythological life and death process or beliefs as they would have been influenced by this sort of astrological language and symbolism as an ancient science.

I read the paperback for reference purposes, but you can also find the pdf online for free if you search for it.

[Mariam Keshealshvili · Rating 4 out of 5]

ძალიან ადამიანურ დონეზე მაინტერესებდა ამ თემის გაგება, მაგრამ თურმე ძაან advanced დონეზე აქვს ახსნილი ყველა გამოთვლა. მოკლედ ვინც ცოტა ერკვრვა ამ საკითში და უფრო მეტად აინტერესებს ცოდნის გაღრმავება ვფიქრობ თქვენთვის საინტერესო უნდა იყოს.

[Teo · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is considered to be the 1st book of horoscopic Astrology

[Giib Glib · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very far out prototype treatise on astrology in the Western world. Very compelling language. Ptolemy could sell a vacuum cleaner to a Cro-Magnon. I found myself reading for the enjoyment of his prose.
I was surprised by how in-depth Ptolemy's prescience was, considering that the study of our solar system was very limited at that time. It seems to him that every single occurrence on earth is understood by the conjunctions of celestial bodies. He argues that if one dedicates themselves to this craft they will successfully prepare themselves for every situation in life while being able to provide unobjectionable advice to their community.
It does have a very "just trust me bro" vibe about it, I like it. What kept me engaged as a reader, coming into the subject matter with little experience- were titles such as this:

"Chapter 2. The Conception And The Parturition, Or Birth; By Which Latter Event The Animal Quits The Womb, And Assumes Another State Of Existence."

Why wasn't it called something like "On Giving Birth"?
Another example is a claim that garlic will demagnetize metal.
Those that will adopt a willful sense of disbelief concerning the reading of this text will be rewarded with a thoughtful exercise in astrology. It is eloquently written (even in translation) and occasionally comic. I had a good time.

[Connor]

Note: I want to read this because it’s a classic of historical significance, not because I am interested in science or maths.

Ptolemy was a Greek astrologer and geographer who lived in the Roman province of Egypt in Alexandria, then the long established hub of intellectual vigour and curiosity. He wrote in the 2nd century AD and his work went into play a major role in the Islamic golden age in the Abbasid caliphate. This book of his is a poetical description of the heavens and has played a lesser role in the history of science than his more famous work, the Almagest. However, luckily for me this work has next to zero mathematical rigour to it so I will at least be able to manage it. After this, I might be able to manage Astronomica by Manilius hopefully!

[heartlore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Certainly an essential read for hellenistic astrology, however, it becomes exceedingly obvious as you dive deeper into the subject that Ptolemy is... notably an outlier compared to his other contemporaries. At the very least, I would not recommend this as an introductory book despite what I often see recommended, because I just think his methods are rather eccentric, even questionable. My favorite part of Tetrabilos is definitely the work done on fixed stars and parans.

[Torres Catriel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Está muy buen escrito. Pero al parecer Ptolomeo era un teórico. No hay un sólo ejemplo en todo el libro. No representa la astrología que se practicaba en ésa época. Sobrevivió a la censura religiosa porque tiene una concepción materialista de la astrología. Dos mil años de confusión hubo por culpa de este tipo.

[Orgadena · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Father

The Orient.
Disk.
Stars, Dark-Eyed.
The Sun, Evil.
Ruling, Planets.
Powers.
The Father, The Universe.

The Planet – The Daemons – in general.

Rains.
Ruler-ship.

Appeareth – The Earth – Bringeth.

Saturn.
A, codex.

●

Dark
~

[James Strande · Rating 5 out of 5]

challenging, worthwhile

[Walter Polashenski · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s amazing that astrology ever became so popular, if this was its main support for a thousand years....
All I can say is: “where’s the beef?”

[Onur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found it more complicated than any other modern astrological guidances. It explains things based on common life scenarios. An Interesting book.

[Ruud · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got to page 80 but was bored all along the way.

[Yolanda Orme]

Not bad

[Gabe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating if idiosyncratic take on Hellenistic-era astrology.

[Vasilis Kanatas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the "Byblos" of Astrology. It was written 1900 years ago by Claudius Ptolemy, ancient Greek Astronomer, Physicist, Mathematician.

[Seth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Astrological text and a must read for any student and/or practitioner.