Marcus Manilius remains an enigmatic figure, with even the certainty of his first name debated. Our understanding of him stems solely from his singular known work, the didactic Latin poem 'Astronomica.' This five-book exploration delves into astrology and Stoicism, presenting them as intrinsically linked aspects of a unified worldview. Though devoid of direct biographical details, the poem reveals an intelligent mind deeply knowledgeable in its subject matter and devoted to these intertwined disciplines. Its composition likely spans the late Augustan and early Tiberian periods, suggesting potential connections to imperial circles interested in philosophy and the stars.
In Astronomica (first century CE), the earliest extant treatise we have on astrology, Manilius provides an account of celestial phenomena and the signs of the Zodiac. He also gives witty character sketches of persons born under particular constellations.