Ptolemy: Tetrabiblos (Loeb Classical Library No. 435) (Hardcover)

by Ptolemy (Author), F. E. Robbins (Translator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Tetrabiblos of the famous astronomer and geographer Claudius Ptolemaeus (ca. 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 is astrology, which in Ptolemy's time as down to the Renaissance was fused as a respectable science with astronomy. Translations and commentaries are few, and only three Greek texts had been printed (all in the 16th century) before the present one and the one begun by F. Boll and finished by Emilie Boer in 1940.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 466 pages
• Publisher: Loeb Classical Library (January 1, 1940)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0674994795
• ISBN-13: 978-0674994799
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 4.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #744,600 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must for any Astrology/Metaphysical Library, January 6, 2000

By	fritz Fratz (St. Moritz) - See all my reviews

The wonderful thing about this translation of Ptolemy's seminal work in Astrology is the conscientious and painstaking work to adhere to the original text which appears on the opposing side of the english text translation. I am in a position to corroborate myself its accuracy. As a result however the English text is not an easy or flowing contemporary style. This is not a quick read, and probably should be used as reference. It covers a multitude of Astrological areas and can serve as a springboard to further inquiry. The book is a compact size, typeface and spacing pleasant and non-fatiguing.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bible amongst astrology litterature., April 13, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Risřr, Norway) - See all my reviews

This book is the source for most astrology - the ancients as well as the moderns students - who have respect for the art. Claudius Ptolemy was born in Egypt and lived in the years 100-178 (ref. Tetrabiblos)and left the scripts which is presented here in the four books "Tetra Biblos".

It is from this scripts astrologers through the times has found the descriptions of the strength of dignities and debillities of the planets, the methodes of making predictions, subdivisions of the science of nativities, bodily descriptions etc.

6 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars That Aries the Ram was the Sign of the Jews, February 10, 2005

By	Michael R. Molnar "author - 'Star of Bethlehem'" (Warren, NJ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Astrologers and astronomers searching for the Star of Bethlehem have long overlooked this primary source for an important piece of evidence: Aries the Ram ruled over Judea. This helped me reveal the Star that pointed the Magi to Judea where the King of the Jews was born on April 17, 6 BC - two years before King Herod died. My book, The Star of Bethlehem: The Legacy of the Magi also made use of other astrological primary sources which showed that to understand the Magi's Star, we need to understand astrology as it practiced as Ptolemy described.

The Tetrabiblos belongs on every classical historian's bookshelf. It is a major primary source on astrology as it was praticed in Roman times.