Hellenistic Astrology-Astrology 2011

The Hellenistic astrology is a tradition of astrology horoscopic that developed and practiced in Egypt and the Mediterranean during the Hellenistic period , the texts were written in ancient Greek (or sometimes Latin ), to the late second century C. or early first century C. Although the Hellenistic period ended properly in the early Common Era , this type of astrology that developed in the early Hellenistic period, was performed essentially in its original form until the sixth-seventh century, and therefore still known as "Hellenistic astrology."

History

The origins of much of astrology that would later develop in Asia , Europe and the Middle East are among the ancient Babylonians and their system of celestial omens that began to be collected in the middle of the second millennium BC C. This system was later extended both directly and indirectly through the Babylonians to other areas such as India , China and Greece , where it mixed with pre-existing indigenous forms of astrology. Came to Greece initially in the mid-fourth century C., and then on late second century or early first century C., after the conquests Alexandrian , this Babylonian astrology was mixed with the Egyptian tradition of astrology dean to create horoscopic astrology. The latter system is so named because, unlike the earlier traditions, employed the use of ascending , known as Horoskopos ("marker time") in Greek, and the twelve houses heavenly arising therefrom. Centering on the chart of the individual, as derived from the position of the planets and stars at the time of his birth, represents the contribution and most significant change of emphasis made during the Hellenistic tradition of astrology. This new form of astrology, which seems to have originated in Alexandrian Egypt, quickly spread around the world to Europe, the Middle East and India.

The complex system of astrology was developed to the point that the later traditions were few fundamental changes to the core of it, and many of the components of astrology horoscopic that developed during the Hellenistic period are still used by astrologers today.

Mythical origins

Several astrologers attributed the creation of Hellenistic astrology to a mythical sage named Hermes Trismegistus . Reportedly, Hermes wrote several important texts which formed the basis of this art evolved from the astrological system inherited from the Babylonians and Egyptians . Several authors cite Hermes as the first outline the houses and their meaning, and that is why we normally think that the concept of house dates back to the very beginning of the Hellenistic tradition, being in fact one of the major defining factors that separate to Hellenistic astrology and other forms of astrology horoscopic of Babylonian astrology and other traditions from around the world. This system of astrology horoscopic have been transferred to another mythical figure called Asclepius, who referred some of the Hermetic writings.

According Firmicus Mate us , the system was then transmitted to a Pharaoh Egyptian named Nekepso and his priest Petosiris . It is said that they wrote several important books that explained the system and it is these texts that many of the Hellenistic astrologers and quote which are directly inspired. This system formed the basis of all later forms of astrology horoscopic.

Astrology in Rome

Like so much else, astrology came to Rome due to Greek influence. Among the Greeks and Romans , Babylon or Chaldea was identified both with astrology, the "wisdom Chaldean "became synonymous with clairvoyance through the planets and stars. Astrologers were very popular in Imperial Rome. Indeed, the emperor Tiberius had been predicted his fate at birth, and, therefore, was surrounded by astrologers such as Thrasyllus Mendes . In the words of Juvenal , "there are people who can not appear in public, eat or bathe, without first consulting an ephemeris . " Cladius other hand, favored in Rome and astrologers predictions. Perhaps not surprisingly, over time, be called "Chaldean" often entailed on suspicion of quackery and more or less deliberate deception.

Transmission

This system of Hellenistic astrology spread to India sometime around the first century, where it mixed with pre-existing tradition of Babylonian astrology and Indian astrology the lunar nakshatras and was the basis for the vast tradition of Vedic astrology . Hellenistic astrology was practiced from the second century C. and until the seventh century, when Europe entered the Middle Ages . Astrology then went and developed in the Islamic Empire between the seventh and thirteenth centuries.