This groundbreaking translation of Ptolemy's work offers direct access to the original ancient Greek text alongside the English version. Readers can explore a wealth of knowledge that has been previously unavailable to English-speaking audiences, making this edition a significant resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike. The combination of both languages allows for a deeper understanding of Ptolemy's insights and contributions to the field.
The Tetrabiblos, Book Two is the second part in a four-part series on Astrology and Apotelesmatics. A great ancient survey text, Ptolemy covers many topics in this second book. He starts to handle individual birth charts in this book, whereas Book One focuses mainly on general Astrology.
Tetrabiblos, Book 3 is the third part of a four book series on astronomical prognostication. In this book, Ptolemy looks into Parents, Siblings, Twins, Marvelous Monstrosities, Atrophy, and the controversial length of life calculation.
The Almagest is by far the greatest work in astronomy in ancient times. In a massive series of thirteen books, Ptolemy shows how every detail of the motions of the sun, moon, planets, and stars can be expressed using geometrical models that can be used to compute celestial positions with remarkable accuracy The present selection covers all the essential features of Ptolemy s treatment of the heavens, omitting only more difficult and abstruse matters such as the moon s motion and the calculation of eclipses. In the interest of conciseness, development of planetary theories is restricted to two planets, one inferior (Venus) and one superior (Mars). Ptolemy s text is accompanied by extensive notes and introductions that are aimed at making the book accessible to students encountering Ptolemy for the first time. This edition is designed to provide everything needed for a one-semester course, or it can be a component of a more general course on planetary theory or history of astronomy."
As a cornerstone of astronomy, Ptolemy's Almagest has shaped scientific thought for over a millennium. This translation, rooted in Heiberg's standard Greek text, offers an accessible version for English readers, enriched with corrections from medieval Arabic translations. Extensive footnotes highlight recent advancements in understanding, particularly through Babylonian records. The work serves both as an independent interpretation and a valuable resource for those studying the original Greek text, making it a significant addition to the history of science.
Eight works or parts of works were ascribed to Manetho, a third century BCE Egyptian, all on history and religion and all apparently in Greek. They survive only as quoted by other writers and include the spurious Book of Sothis. The Kings of Thebes (in Egypt) and the Old Chronicle are doubtful.
