A Brief History of Ancient Astrology (eBook)

Roger Beck is Emeritus Professor at the University Toronto. He is the author of The Religion of the Mithras Cult in the Roman Empire (2006).

List of Figures.

List of Tables.

Preface.

1. Introduction. What was Astrology in Ancient Greece and
Rome?

2. Origins and Types of Astrology. The Transfer of Astrology
from Babylon. The Pseudo-History of Astrology: "Alien
Wisdom".

3. The Product: How to Construct a Simple Horoscope, Ancient
Style.

4. Structure and Meaning in the Horoscope, 1: The Aspects and
the "Places".

5. Structure and Meaning in the Horoscope, 2: The Zodiac and its
Signs.

6. Structure and Meaning in the Horoscope, 3: The Planets.

7. Horoscopes and their Interpretation.

8. A Matter of Life and Death: "Starters,"
"Destroyers," and "Length of Life." Some
Sociopolitical Implications of Astrology.

9. Conclusion: Why Bother with Ancient Astrology in the
Twenty-First Century?

Notes.

References.

Index.

"[Beck's] writing is clear, lively and accessible;
concepts and technical details are well explained..."
(The Classical Review, Vol 58 No. 1 2008)

"This is a work likely to entice readers to further pursue the
subject ... Recommended." (Choice)

"Roger Beck's book does credit to the author: It is clear,
and, possibly most importantly, it gives its reader a taste of what
the study of ancient astrology may be like ... Should one look for
an introduction to the extremely complex field of study, Roger
Beck's book is an excellent choice." (Bryn Mawr Classical
Review)

"Written in a charming colloquial style in which the personal
voice of the author is present throughout, full of well-intentioned
examples from ancient sources, and furnished with useful diagrams,
Beck's book is extremely user friendly ... A book that
does an excellent job at enabling non-specialists (such as
classicists and ancient historians) to grasp both the science that
underlies ancient astrology and the mentality that drove it."
(Aestimatio: Critical Reviews in the History of Science)

"Beck's account is eloquent, compelling, and accessible -
even when dealing with technical aspects of horoscopy; it will be
of consequence to all those interested in astral symbolism, in
semiotics, or in the mentality underlying classical thought."

-Luther H. Martin, University of Vermont