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Citation

Alternate Title(s): Poeticon astronomicon
Author: Hyginus
Publication Location: Venice
Year: 1485

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Summary

Greek writers compiled ancient stories of the constellations, often in poetic form, with memorable instructions for locating bright stars and zodiac constellations. Constellations of the zodiac contain the wandering courses of the planets and the annual path of the Sun. Familiarity with the stars enabled one to coordinate the affairs of life, including agricultural cycles, with the sky at night. Hyginus, a Roman poet, conveyed this body of practical knowledge into Latin. Hyginus followed the order and naming of the constellations as listed in the Almagest of Ptolemy (2d century B.C.E.). Ptolemy described 48 constellations in the Almagest; currently 88 are officially recognized. Charming constellation figures are hand-colored in this copy. It was printed by Erhard Ratdolt, a renowned early printer of works in astronomy and geometry.

Related Items

Theme(s): Astronomy, Literature, History of the Book, Art
Chronological Period: Ancient
Geographical Region(s): Greece, Rome, Italy, Europe
Resource Type: Book