The Heavenly Writing: Divination, Horoscopy, and Astronomy in Mesopotamian Culture (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "IF SCIENCE HAS A UNIVERSAL ASPECT UNDERLYING ANY AND ALL its manifestations in human culture, then a reappraisal of the nature of scientific inquiry should..." (more)
Key Phrases: omen protases, synodic phenomena, synodic appearances, Anu Enlil, Old Babylonian, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Francesca Rochberg has written a reliable account of Babylonian celestial science in a lively style accessible to the non-specialist, based on years of research in the primary documents. She has woven the story around the components of astral omens, astrology, and astronomy, while challenging many assumptions about disciplinary boundaries as they apply to ancient texts. Her nuanced approach is informed by a critical analysis of relevant materials in the history and philosophy of science and, as a result, the earliest scientific enterprise can now be appreciated in its proper cultural context."
Bernard R. Goldstein, University Professor Emeritus, University of Pittsburgh

"The Babylonian science of the heavens, divination through ominous phenomena and personal horoscopes, and astronomy both observational and mathematical, is the earliest of all sciences, at once empirical and theoretical. The Heavenly Writing is a comprehensive and penetrating study of the entire subject, in particular of the most important and complex questions concerning this science: the relation of its branches, to each other and to other forms of divination, to religion and to magic, and in what sense it truly is science. Professor Rochberg sets out expositions of each branch that will be of interest and intelligible to readers without specialized background, indeed, no one has done this better, and answers to the central questions that will establish the standard for all future investigations. This is a great and profound book on a great and profound subject."
Noel M. Swerdlow, The University of Chicago

"This is a fascinating book, one that readers interested in the history (and, perhaps, philosophy) of science will want to read."
MAA Reviews, Fernando Gouvea, Colby College

"Readers ... will come away with a deeper sense of the complexity, the profundity, and the antiquity of ancient Mesopotamian scholarship."
American Historical Review, William W. Hallo, Yale University

"...much to provoke further thought and research. ...'Heavenly Writing' is a book that lives up to its name". Bryn Mawr Classical Review, 2005

"It is a long time since I've enjoyed a book this much, found so much in it to agree with, and so much to provoke further thought and research...The Epilogue is an excellent way in, while the 'Descriptive survey of the "unprovoked" omen texts' is the best introduction of its kind I have read...She is generous with translated quotes from both published and unpublished sources...All in all, though, Heavenly Writing is a book that lives up to its name."
Eleanor Robson, Department of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge

Product Description

In antiquity, the expertise of the Babylonians in matters of the heavens was legendary and the roots of both western astronomy and astrology are traceable in cuneiform tablets going back to the second and first millennia B.C. The Heavenly Writing discusses Babylonian celestial divination, horoscopy, and astronomy, their differentiations as well as interconnection and their place in Mesopotamian intellectual culture. Focusing chiefly on celestial divination and horoscopes, it traces the emergence of personal astrology from the tradition of celestial divination and the way astronomical methods were employed for horoscopes. It further takes up the historiographical and philosophical issue of the nature of these Mesopotamian 'celestial sciences' by examining elements traditionally of concern to the philosophy of science (empiricism, prediction, and theory) in relation to the Babylonian material without sacrificing the ancient methods, goals, and interests to a modern image of science. This book will be of particular interest for those concerned with the early history of science and the problems introduced by modern distinction between science, magic, and religion for the study and understanding of ancient cultures.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 360 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (September 27, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521830109
• ISBN-13: 978-0521830102
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,770,194 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A knowledgeable guide, June 11, 2006

By	Cheng (Irvine, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Francesca is an amazing instructor at her college, and her years of expertise in the field are truly insightful. The book thoroughly educates and provokes further thought.