Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
1132(B) Author(s): Briant Bohleke Reviewed work(s): Source: Studien zur Altgyptischen Kultur, Bd. 23 (1996), pp. 11-46 Published by: Helmut Buske Verlag GmbH Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25114392 . Accessed: 18/03/2012 09:24
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In Terms
of Fate:
ancient
a survey of the indigenous Egyptian contribution in light of Papyrus CtYBR inv. 1132(B)1 astrology
to
von
If not the originator of horoscopic astrology, Egypt developed the craft into an art, having a significant impact on the Roman world and the Roman elite. This article gathers the native Egyptian astrological documentation, and using the Demotic nomenclature reconstructs themissing title and text of P. CtYBR inv. 1132(B), handbook. Several a list of Terms which must have once constituted a section of an Egyptian astrologer's
systems of Terms used for casting personal horoscopes are known from Ptolemy and other ancient authorities, themost widely accepted being the sequence labeled "Egyptian". As the only ancient manuscript preserving a table of Terms, P. CtYBR inv. 1132(B) is similar to, but deviates from the Egyptian sequence. With the reconstruction of the missing column of the manuscript from data in the first two preserved columns, there appears a consistent echeloned sequence of planets similar to the system of Critodemus. Thus P. CtYBR is the Egyptian system modified by that of Critodemus for mnemonic purposes for native Egyptians.
Background prohibiting astrology the private remained consultation implanted of astro among
decree of AD 11 strictly Augustus' or the prediction of anyone's death, population2. of personal horoscopal of individual communal
firmly
popularity
as had risen during the late Republic astrology men for themselves took pre seeking power concerns of the traditional form of senatorial
have it, when the manuscript of this article was finished, L. Depuydt's of publication pCtYBR inv. 1132(B) appeared in: Enchoria 21, 1994, 1-9, Taf. 1.1 have modified my text and noted (dis)agreements in light of this work, but neither the substance nor conclusions of my work have been affected.] F.H. Cramer, Astrology in Roman law and politics, 1954, 99 (hereafter cited as ARLP). Specialists of other spheres of knowledge had come to include astral lore in their teachings, too, by the 1st century BC; Cramer, ARLP, 84f.
12 B. Bohleke
SAK 23
ex the Republic in 139 BC that the first of many It was during recorded government3. to native from Rome is recorded4. accustomed of astrologers forms of Being pulsions more or to Roman the senate and suited societal divination, had group augury haruspicy - on a of the influx of which could with ideas Oriental par grown wary foreign, mostly customs. minds that of Greek and threaten long-held philosophers agitate for the decree of AD and the bans on practicing 11, the multiple astrology Except from Rome the expulsion of the trade were not of unrepentant practitioners or include to be permanent Rome intended outside itself. Whereas those astrologers a gullible or receive be accused their trade might of duping cliental the scorn of plying who the to of humans few questioned ability signs correctly, skeptics interpret heavenly orders for among the intelligencia would that the regular motions the sun and matters6, decree astrally on mundane Augustus' of astrology5, science" which acknow seven of the "stars" (the five planets plus the wandering the moon) a conscious from in resulting plan or divine doubt could neither be to ascertain using proper interpreted techniques to vitiate aimed the fundamental theory that one's to stamp out a profession which focused on the "exact
determined
nor attempted
of AD
stability of the state. Consulting a propitious to discover moment horoscope" coup d'etat hatching 3 4 for oneself. for that moment, around
a plot
astrology, 1994, 38f., 41, 62f., 210. 232-248; Barton, Anc. astrol., 32. On the edict of AD
11 specifically,
ARLP, 232, and especially pages 250, 253, and 281. 5 Cramer, ARLP, 4. "Revelation satisfied the religious
devotees. For rationalists, however, scientific observations
as it had appealed
over extended
to astrology's
now were
periods
... Lay folk the 'proof for the particular influence of each star or constellation were thus assured by both Egyptian, as well as Mesopotamian astrologers of a supposedly solid rational basis of the extravagant claims made by the pseudo-scientists" (Cramer, ARLP, 18). Seneca to have furnished pointed out thatmankind did not fully understand the signs and their laws (see S.J. Tester, A history of western astrology, 1990, 53). 6 Augustus himself minted coins bearing his zodiacal birth sign to promote his divinely ordained destiny to reign, even bravely publishing his horoscope with ascendant (from which his death date could be calculated) in AD 11. See Cassius Dio, Dio's Roman History, 56 25, 5, trans. E. Cary, 1914-1927, vol. 7, 56f., and Barton, Anc. astrol., 40f. (citing Suetonius, De vita Caesarum, Augustus
94.5, trans. J.C. Rolfe, 1914,
266f.).
1925-1937,
vol.
1996
Astrology
13
weapon Tiberius
of
one's was
enemy himself
Alexandrian, future
often be employed him, and Augustus' against a practicing a With his advisor astrologer8. Thrasyllus9, citizens with horoscopes rooted out prominent predicting He also ruthlessly enforced the decree which
can
impending successfully
that Egyptian
astral
household, for Egypt was the accepted home of astrology and the knowledge of this topic
by a native would be considered was Thrasyllus' the astrologer priesthood and sacred of son Balbillus held by the imperial nonpareil patron10. For this reason serve to retained Tiberius' In such repute was successors11. that the emperor at Alexandria and throughout at Alexandria bestowed upon his councillor the high buildings the pre
by Claudius of Hermes
and oversight
in Alexandria
sidency
renowned
university
its priceless
library12.Though forbidden by the aforementioned edict, Balbillus' specialty of fore telling deaths was applied to that of his imperial patron13. Nero kept Balbillus on the imperial payroll and appointed him praefect of Egypt14.
Other Egyptians, or Graeco-Egyptians bearing Egyptian names, were associated with this
learned how to cast horoscopes from Thrasyllus. See Cramer, ARLP, 94; Tacitus, Annals 6, 21, trans. Moore, 1925-1937, vol. 3, 188f.; Cassius Dio 55 11, 1, trans. Cary, vol. 6, 420f. 9 Cf. The Yavanajataka of Sphujidhvaja, ed., trans., and comm. D. Pingree, Harvard oriental series Having 48, 1978, 444f. 10 Most modern scholars view Babylonia as the originator of the fundamentals of astrology (B.L. van der Waerden, in: AfO 16, 1952-1953, 216-230; Cramer, ARLP, 3-5, 15). Recent variations see the elements of this prophesying introduced from heterogenous beliefs and practices of Babylonia and Egypt, and synthesized in the milieu of Hellenistic Greece or the Near East. For the disseminators of Hermetic astrology, see G. Fowden, The Egyptian Hermes: a historical approach to the late pagan mind, 1986, 162. not every astrologer endeared himself to the ruler by the news he bore. The Egyptian foretold in his native land [emphasis mine] the actual fate of Caligula. He was arrested Apollonius for clearly violating the edict of AD 11 and sent to Rome to answer for his crime. Brought before the emperor on the day of his assassination and condemned to suffer the death penalty, Apollonius survived because Caligula did not, and received amnesty under Claudius (Cramer, ARLP, 11 If., 27If., 279; Cassius Dio 59 29, 4, trans. Cary, vol. 7, 358f.). For Balbillus, see Yavanajataka, ed. Pingree, 423. 12 Cramer, ARLP, 114. 13 Cramer, ARLP, 115. In AD 52 Claudius "had renewed earlier expulsion orders banishing astrologers from the capital and from Italy as well" (Tacitus, Annals vol. 3, 390f.). 12, 52, trans. Moore, Evidently Balbillus was exempted. 14 Cramer, ARLP, 126. Although 11
14 B. Bohleke
SAK 23
of
the Alexandrian
Museion an Egyptian
on of
two highly prominent Roman with based on their consultation Though A sentenced fellow exile to exile
Pamennes
their own
of Nero.
on an island, of
Pamennes
to be retained rifled
got wind
the clandestine
finding incriminating prepared horoscopes to proceed to testify against to Rome them and their lives; the fate of Pamennes overthrow either
paid with
remains
instability though
arts at of the
curious and ambitious had the potential for being too high. Of (Graeco?-)Egyptian des
cent, Ptolemy death, by was Seleucus Otho's incited ascendancy historians his craft Otho's overthrow throne, of Galba and by predicting demise the elderly as well17. leader's Viewed astrologer Seleucus and to the as alone this patron's
who
and unscrupulous professional to influence and power"18, Ptolemy edicts against astrologers the reinstated
by Vitellius, of them
subsequent
executions
joining
Balbillus19. Executions Egyptian commenced Asclepion's his own once more under Domitian20, who sought to discredit by compelling be the
astrologer
prediction
to predict
death. When
that he would
endeavored buried.
the pyre
and canines
15
82, 116; P.W. van der Horst, Chaeremon, 265, 272f.; Tacitus, Annals 132, 272, 279.
Egyptian
16 17 18 19
vol. 4, 356-359.
130 and note 447; page 160. Cramer, ARLP, 134, 137f. On Vitellius' expulsion orders and execution of astrologers, see Cramer, ARLP, 242-4, 270; Barton, Anc. astrol., 47f. (quoting Suetonius, Vitellius 14.4, trans. Rolfe, 268
271). Cramer, ARLP, 267. 21 Barton, Anc. astrol., 48f. (quoting Suetonius, Domitian 273f. 20
1996
Astrology
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15
The being
witnessed whose
of interest in AD
the emperor by
himself
to Egypt
in a graffito of AD
of Memnon22. of Antoninus
Pius
the supreme
impartial
in the heavens
indicated
have to be accepted. necessarily nor Stoicism. He did, however, tradition The of an Egyptian priest
astrology in the
his head
procession24. not astro did its consulted for its founder twice start, get dynasty once the reign of Marcus Aurelius future, (for which logers about his political during a no were at which and there second during the rule of Commodus, time repercussions)25 so odious was the emperor was considered that Septimius and Severus innocent judged Severan almost his accuser crucified26. When he assumed the purple, however, Severus was not so kindly
carried
of Anubis
in a religious
to forgiving to be breaching those purported 11. He put to the edict of AD disposed a senator and the governor death men who enquired about his fate and condemned of Asia because the latter's nurse had dreamt that her master would be emperor and the former When and because visiting he had been Egypt told of this portent27.
then scoured
the tomb of Alexander Severus Septimius opened the land for magical the extensive in the collection writings, enclosing because of a firm belief in Alexander's divine and magical powers28, but of material which could be eventually used against him by
as emperor,
the province
aspirants This
to the throne29. overview of the slant, Serapio influence comes told of astrology on Roman Caracalla. to his face leaders, Cassius that his Dio especially recorded that that was
assassination
22 23 24
Barton, Anc.
172.
Cramer, ARLP, 208. (From the Scriptores historiae Augustae, Commodus 9.4-6, trans. D. Magie, 16.4 (vol. 1, 302f.), Pescennius Niger, 6.8-9 (vol. 1922-1932, vol. 1, 286-289; compare Commodus 1, 442f.), and Caracalla, 9.11 (vol. 2, 24-27).
Barton, Anc. Anc. Anc. astrol., astrol., astrol., 209. 210, 212-4, 269. 269f.; Scriptores historiae Augustae, Severus 15.4-5, trans. Magie, vol.
25 26 Barton, 27 Barton,
1, 404-407.
28 Barton, Anc. astrol., 10.
29
F. Cumont, L'Egypte des astrologues, 1937, 152f., note 4. (Both footnote 26 and 27 rely on Cassius Dio, epitome 76 13, 2, trans. Cary, vol. 9, 224f.).
16 B. Bohleke
SAK 23
imminent
and even
named
his
successor.
In appreciation
Caracalla
had
Serapio thrown to a lion, which was kept at bay by the Egyptian holding out his hand.
As he was slain by another have survived more successful method, lived Serapio another was day said and to have conjured declared certain that he could spirits30. Most modern this also if he had
scholarship
has assigned
the origin
of astrology zodiac
on the first appearance of a personal Egypt ponents cedents32, astrology cooked horoscope
recognizable elements of
astronomical
extent
Greece
contexts be one
obscures
intention origins,
fruitless location.
to seek
the origin, of
and
function for
and practice
yields
a search
witnessed
a concerted literature
effort
to translate
Egyptian
texts
began
to emanate
from Egypt,
indicating
in that location
and perhaps
syncretism
of two or three
Mesopotamian)
cultures35.
30
Cramer, ARLP,
the fingers
For extending
Egyptian
in a gesture
of Ancient
magical
31
from Serapio practice, SAOC 54, 1993, 227-229. This Serapio is to be distinguished an astrologer who flourished in the first century BC or AD, and whose writings are Alexandrinus, derived from Nechepso and Petosiris (cf. Yavanajataka, ed. Pingree, 440f.). in: JCS 6, 1952, 52-57; van der Waerden, in: AfO 16, 1952-1953, 216-230; Cramer, exact 13f. O. The sciences in antiquity, 21969, 102f., 140. ARLP, 3, 8, (Berossus), 15f; Neugebauer, The surviving works of Teucer of Babylon attest his investigations of the planets, decans, signs of the zodiac, and simultaneously rising stars. His floruit was the first century AD and his residence A. Sachs, the city near Memphis, not the dying metropolis
29, 160; Tester, History,
inMesopotamia
41.
32 Barton,
Anc.
astrol.,
34
Cumont, L'Egypte, Cumont, L'Egypte, 25. 35 Cramer, ARLP, 15. "The emergence of Egypt as the most important center of astrological activities in the Hellenistic world obscured the preceding long and solid Mesopotamian contributions. A literature, hermetic as well as "scientific," now widened syncretistic complex of astrological immeasurably the possibilities of applying astrological techniques to every field of human endeavor. Not only the individual human being, but also the separate parts of the body were now "scientifically" connected with astral influences" (Cramer, ARLP, 18).
33
18, 27.
1996
Astrology
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17
doctrines
generated
Hermetic
literature,
in the opinion
of one expert,
be
of their relevance
The corpus of Hermetic "to all aspects of human experience"36. or more of 42 works the re comprised consisting by the 3rd century AD37, to his son and initiate Tat, imparting Hermes of the mystagogue Trismegistus message Known which now was only the basis from of this pseudo-scientific in Greek, the earliest of celestial periods and philo Hermetic signs, their
is the Salmeschoiniaka,
of 72 pictures
settings, what they indicate for future risings, Because the god Nebu they are sovereign39. Babylonian, potamian was not Egyptian, origin method
is mentioned some
five-day have
intervals sought
of time-keeping,
scholars
a Meso
and derivation
work
majority represents
of the title, conceding that the developed and Egyptian Greek astrological traditions"40. The the subject are convinced that the Salmeschoiniaka work whose 72 figures BC are in the tradition upon of the or mid-2nd
Egyptian dates
century
(depending
Fowden, Egyptian Hermes, 91. Barton, Anc. astrol., 25. For higher, fantastic numbers, seeW. Gundel/H.G. Gundel, Astrologumena: die astrologische Literatur in der Antike und ihre Geschichte, 1966, 14. 38 Fowden, Egy. Hermes, 28. 39 see RE (neue Bearbeitung), For a summary of the state of knowledge about the Salmeschoiniaka, 2. Band 1914-1972, Reihe, Suppl. V, 1931, cols. 843-846. 40 note that if one Tester, History, 21. What about, however, native Egyptian input? Additionally, 37 halves 41 the number of figures from 72 to 36, the number of days per figure becomes of the Egyptian week. Astrologumena, zur Geschichte 15f., 49, note der Sternbilder, 18; F. Boll, 10, the period
36
Sphaera: neue griechische Texte und 1967, 376ff., 377, note 3 for posited non-Egyptian Untersuchungen derivations of the title of the work, page 378 for Egyptian derivation of the title; Cramer, ARLP, 16; Fowden, Egyptian Hermes, 32, 37, 39, 139f. The integration or wholesale absorption of foreign elements into Egyptian religious thought has an extended history from the "hocus pocus" spells of Gundel/Gundel, Texts (PT 280, 281; Pyr., 219f.) to pHarris Magical (H.O. Lange, Der magische Det danske Videnskabernes Selskab. Harris, Meddelelser, Papyrus Kongelige Historisk-filologiske Bind 14, No. 2, 1937, 98f. Spell Z [XII, 1-5]) and into the Graeco-Roman in period as witnessed magical papyri (for example, PGM IV.296-466; PGM IV.850-929; PGM PGM PGM VII.846-861; ed. H.D. Betz, The Greek magical papyri in V.424-435; VII.795-821; translation, including the Demotic spells, 21992, 44-46, 55f, 109, 140, 141 respectively). Further, were on occasion into absorbed the and foreign gods Egyptian pantheon (e.g. Astarte mythologized and the Sea; LESt, 76-8la). The use of Nebu (=Mercury) is consonant with this tradition and may lend a mystical or potent air to the text or be the writer's nod to the "Chaldeans" to enhance the efficaciousness of his text. the Greek and Demotic the Pyramid
18 B. Bohleke
SAK 23
The
dialogue
the manual of
its composition
to distinguished
compatriots
past43. Numerous
42
The expounding was, however, mutual. See Depuydt, in :Enchoria Vettius Valens, Anthologiae. Vettii Valentis Antiocheni Anthologiarum 1986, 138, 4-5 and 337, 25.
43
A. Bouch6-Leclercq, grecque, 1899, xi. Searching for historical figures behind the L'astrologie names Nechepso and Petosiris, modern scholars have postulated that "King Nechepso" might have been anciently identified with Manetho's Nechepso, second king of his 26th dynasty (Manetho, trans. ed. and W.G. Waddell, 1971, 168-173). This would most likely be the Aegyptiaca (epitome), Delta dynast Nikauba, about whom nothing is known, his Egyptian name being preserved on a broken counterpoise (K.A. Kitchen, The Third Intermediate Period in Egypt, 1100-650 B.C., with suppl., 21986, ??116, 351, 356, 363; Table 4).
The "priest Petosiris" seems to have been the product of a conscious association with the high priest of Thoth of Hermopolis Petosiris, who flourished in themid-4th century BC, and whose tomb shows noticeable Hellenistic architectural and artistic influence. The hieroglyphic inscriptions in the tomb (for which, see G. Lefebvre, Le tombeau de Petosiris, IFAO, 1923-1924, preserve ancient and traditional Egyptian religious concepts by including material from the Pyramid Texts, Book of the Dead, and sun hymns. Even newly composed texts (by Petosiris himself?) appear on the tomb walls. (For recent translations of select texts, see M. Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian literature III, 1980, 44-54). Barton (Anc. astrol., 26), following Gundel/Gundel 28, note 1) and F. Boll (Astrologumena, und were as the composers of the believes the chosen (Sternglaube Sterndeutung, 1926, 23f.), pair seminal textbook on astrology because Petosiris represented "the prestige of the Egyptian priesthood, that of the Egyptian monarchy." Gundel/Gundel (Astrologumena, 29) postulated that was chosen he because ruled the time of the Assyrian invasions and introduction Nechepso during of Mesopotamian influences. Whereas it seems that Petosiris' reputation outlasted his life and that as a kind of "saint" (Gundel/Gundel, Astrologumena, 3If.; Cramer, ARLP, 17; ed. Yavanajataka, Pingree, 436), it is harder to imagine why the obscure kinglet Nechepso was assigned the role of revelator of divine wisdom. The notion that he was an early astrologer should viewed be rejected (RE, v. 16, col. 2167; Cramer, ARLP, 17). Considering the heros of Demotic tales and hellenistic romances, such as Pedubast, Inaros, Pemu, Pedikhons, and Sesonchosis (Sheshonq I, not III!) were Libyan kings or princes, it becomes apparent that these dynasts were looked back upon as heros of a golden age, much as "knights in shining armor" are treated in our own "once upon a time" fairy tales. An astrological treatise was said to have been written in the time of "Psammethicus" (Gundel/Gundel, Astrologumena, 35, 69). Senwosret he was and Nechepso
1996
Astrology
19
fragments been
in Greek
reasons, was
has by an
the work
dominant
on papyrus and
or a century all
the basis on
logical
astrology
the source
from which
subsequent referring
the topic
for casting personal horoscopes, as "the Egyptians" or "the ancients"47. By Petosiris synthesizing the basis was said the time of Chaeremon, and Nechepso were himself household an author words.
their information
to the purported
authors
of an astrological work by
treatise,
Their
and techniques
of astrology
and enshrining
work
elements
and mysticism49. From preserved fragments one of which is of direct relevance categories, astrologers and compilers excerpted heavily
the topics
covered
in the opus
horoscopic
astrology50. among
and Nechepso,
(in chronological order) Dorotheus of Sidon (late 1st cent. AD), Ptolemy (2nd cent. AD),
Vettius Alexandria writing Valens (2nd-3rd 380), cent. AD), Firmicus Maternus (4th (fl. AD a more cent. 415). AD), These Paul notables, record of life of (fl. AD in Greek and Hephaestion for Firmicus Maternus) of Thebes compiled a horoscope
(except "facts"
of astrological
and facets
to construct
and calculate
44
the political
20 B. Bohleke
SAK 23
Astrological
Documentation from the ancient and world are nearly stratum without exception With to have and in a
horoscopes the
on papyri
the intellectual
of Alexandria. expected
speakers,
or in the West
a gentry
and view
of philosophy
wisdom, aspects
the expected
medium
of the heavenly wanderers. Because the synthesis of astrology the Egyptians and Petosiris in particular and the ancient in civilization Nechepso to have been composed and the Hermetic works purported in the native general script, seem odd that so little remains of astrological it may in Demotic51. works The sum of the astrological stems from the first two centuries AD corpus in Demotic and has been though antedates Demotic Ashmolean After lines, between viewed as a transient written Greek down phenomenon. years The horoscope afterward, by nearly and lines cast for the earliest is O. Ashmolean, two decades. date, which Inked in O.
horoscope
and presenting
lexical
difficulties,
subsequently
calendar
is noted, dates
this being
allows
the occurrence
within
Cleopatra The
the 19th year of the 25 year lunar cycle, thus in 38 BC, during the reign of
VII53. ostracon continues for eight more planets lines in decreasing for Mercury)54 states and of preservation the four cardines: with the
the positions 51
of the remaining
(except
see O. Neugebauer/H.B. Van Hoesen, Greek horoscopes, Memoirs of the Society 48, 1959, and D. Baccani, Oroscopi Greci: documentazione papirologica, Ricerca Papirologica 1, 1992. Gundel and Gundel (Astrologumena, 35) postulated that there ought to have been handbooks inDemotic corresponding to those from the hands of the Greek and Latin compilers. If there was a non-historical construction which had been based on a fictitious be only derivative works and no
52 53
attribution of the birth of astrology to Egypt, then there would original handbooks equivalent to those in Greek and Latin. O. Neugebauer/R.A.
54
Parker, in: JEA 53, 1968, 231-234, pi. XXXVI, 2. in: JEA 53, 1968, 233; R.A. Parker, The calendars of ancient Neugebauer/Parker, Egypt, SAOC 26, 1950, 25. See also the discussion of pCarlsberg 9 below. It is odd that Jupiter is repeated after Venus in line 10. From line 7 to line 11 inclusive, the order of planets is: Saturn, (Jupiter mentioned in line 3 with the sun), Mars, Venus, and then Jupiter again. Perhaps the sequence should have been from the slowest (outermost) planet to the swiftest (innermost), Mercury. Thus, Jupiter in line 11 may be an error for Mercury. (For another substitution by error, see R.A. Parker, in: Grammata Demotika. Festschrift fiir Erich Liiddeckens zum 15. Juni 1983, 1984, 142 in which Mars is written instead of Venus.)
1996
Astrology
21
ascendant, caelum,
mean
descendant,
mesuranema
(medium
caelum,
or MC),
or IMC)55. Each
"center".
of the cardines
receives
the label
and the hypogeion (imum to ib "heart", here specialized of the text. While
There some
are a number
of difficulties
which
obscure
the full
es traces (end of line 11), several signs are illegible interpretation, the group ending lines 5, 8, 9, and 10. The significance of Libra 6? in line 4 pecially on a an otherwise the star which has determinative it, hinges sign preceding indicating in that section unknown the of the sky56. And whereas astronomical(?) phenomenon publishers Scorpio triplicity ment of Even Egyptian of O. Ashmolean in line 12, could not venture of these two a guess as to what have the fourth signs may with Pisces If this conjecture is correct, the place (here also the ascendant)57. a here and its significance this information still be would mystery58. if incompletely O. Ashmolean remarkable about evidence understood, yields the presence preceded constituted Pisces and
The earliest cast horoscope a fully in Demotic astrological practice. displays method for the moment information of the developed recording preliminary regarding out the names of the planets, client's birth. Instead of writing zodiacal signs, and astro individual Demotic/hieratic the predecessors of the sigla used up terms, logical signs to the present day - are already employed. common as ib "heart" and words such Finally, tni.t (<dni.t) to astrology59. "division, portion" have assumed a specialized, technical definition specific
55
The ascendant
is the point on the horizon where the sign rises (0?), the descendant where it sets mesuranema The (180?). represents the apex or meridian (90?) and the hypogeion the nadir (270?). on For further details and definition of the cardines, see Neugebauer/Van Hoesen, Greek horoscopes, 2-13. In O. Ashmolean: midheaven (MC) (1. 6), [ascendant] (1.8), [descendant] (1.11), and
56
[lower midheaven] (=IMC) (1.13). doubtlessly Might it have been a comet or other ephemeral phenomenon whose existence at that time had been recorded for posterity in some handbook? Comets were the topic of several treatises and had been discussed in the work of Nechepso and Petosiris (Tester, History, 66f.). The amount of degrees of ascension separating any postulated comet from the sun in this most would horoscope likely preclude its visibility, for it would not have approached near enough to our star to commence
shedding its surface substantially for the unaided eye to view. On the efficacious aspect known as the triplicity, the four groups of three zodiacal signs 120? apart, see BoucheVLeclercq, L'astrologie grecque, 199-206; Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos 1.18, trans. Robbins, 82 87; Neugebauer/Van Hoesen, Greek horoscopes, 12f. 58 The mention of a triplicity in the fragmentary pCairo 50143 (discussed below) may be reference information in an otherwise lost astrologer's handbook, and thus not of help in explaining the presence of a triplicity in the current context. 59 The term tni.t also appears in pBerlin 8345, ti tni.t Sr "the portion (KA,T)poq) 'son'" (G.R. Hughes, in: Egyptological Studies in honor of Richard A. Parker, 1986, 67). The astrological definition of 57
22 B. Bohleke
SAK 23
on ostraca
claimed
to have
been
cast by
the same
individual
around AD
a fragmentary to the corpus60. Com fifth no doubt belonging Habu, scheme of composition: date, position 50, the ostraca share a common ascendent and descendent, midheaven ("lake of the sky") and
the swSp, and the twr61. The most I/O. Strassburg, the 'Houses' As with the fortunes see pBerlin "accounts
complete
ostracon,
the com
O. Collection signs...,
zodiacal position
at the given
The nearly contemporary O. Berlin P. 6152 is dated explicitly toYear 3 of Nero (AD
57). "old" A mysterious (iiw) and Demotic sign, thus be a reference calendar63. specifies a technical indicate term, may perhaps astrological as opposed to the use of the traditional Egyptian to of the luminaries and planets being duly noted, out instead of being for all are written
The positions
The words
the specialized
written Parker
excavated
in 1938
at Medinet were
by novices 1154
the shards
archives.
the unspecified of the planets and only positions in the zodiac; the two texts on O. Medinet Madi 1060 were schoolboy copies As Parker stated, "the chief interest and value of these small texts accuracy64. variants they offer for the signs AD of the planets, sun and moon recording
records
tni.t is "Lot". (See clarification in footnote 97 below.) The most important Lot is that of Fortune; others include Daimon, Eros, Necessity, Courage, and those specifying various family relations. As for Lots in the horoscope, "they are not segments which together make up a complete circle, but are rather specially endowed points in the chart of a nativity" (Manilius, Astronomica, trans. G. P. 1977, lxiv). in: JAOS 63, 1943, 120. 61 in: JAOS 63, 1943, 118. Neugebauer, 62 in: JAOS 63, 1943, 116, 118. For "Houses" Neugebauer, accurate; see footnote 97 below. The top section of this in: OLZ 5, 1902, cols. 223-225. Spiegelberg, 63 in: JEA 53, 1968, 234f., pi. XXXVI, Neugebauer/Parker, 64 in: Festschrift Parker, Luddeckens, 141-143, Taf. 23. The 60 Neugebauer, 1063, and 1066. 65 Parker, in: Festschrift Luddeckens, 142. Gould,
the descriptor "Places" would be more ostracon was initially published by W. 1. other ostraca are O. Medinet Madi 842,
1996
Astrology
23
the planetary
positions
was
done
solely
in signs,
bolstering
O. Neugebauer's
assertion
symbols
originated
from Demotic66.
The coffin lid of the priest Heter, who died around AD 120 in Thebes, had originally
been of the twelve zodiacal by pictures painted with "a large figure of Nut surrounded had been added in Demotic in mid-October the positions of the planets signs" to which 93 at the moment The evidence of birth of the purchaser67. is more outlook, extensive concern, and diverse, knowledge, encompassing and origin. distinct Papyrus lines Berlin
AD
from papyri
of astronomical/astrological
8279, written in the Fayum after AD 42, is a copy of a hieratic original tabulating the
positions pared of the known to modern planets through the zodiac display the vernal for the years a consistent equinox. 16 BC to AD 11. Com the positions by the use of a fixed point near calculations, the text68, concluding and condemned of calculation -4? from the vernal deviation Neugebauer with in longitude republished the "eternal obtained
mentioned
fixed
a combination
possibility of deriving the longitudes of the planetary texts from Greek astronomy of the
period between Hipparchus and Ptolemy"69.
66
67
O. Neugebauer, in: Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, n.s. 32, 1942, 245; in: JAOS 122f. traced the for Libra back through Demotic, 63, 1943, Neugebauer, carefully sign to and the ih.t for "horizon." hieratic, hieroglyphic sign O. Neugebauer/R. A. Parker, Egyptian astronomical texts HI, Brown Egyptological Studies 6, 1969, in: JAOS 115. 93-95, pi. 50; Neugebauer, 63, 1943, Originally published by H.K. Brugsch, in: ZDMG 14, 1860, 15ff. and H.K. Brugsch, Recueil de monuments egyptiens dessines sur lieux et publics sous les auspices de Son Altesse le vice-roi d'Egypte Mohammed-Said-Pacha, 1862-85, pi. 34 & 35. The painted ceiling of a tomb in Athribis depicts the planets and figures of the zodiac in human, animal, and composite form. Two labeled &a-birds near Orion are those of the two brothers originally buried in the tomb (Athribis, 12f., 23f., pi. xxxvi-xxxviii). From the arrangement of the luminaries and planets among the graphic depictions of the signs, Neugebauer and Parker (in: JEA 53, 1968, 231) have determined the dates of the horoscopes to be AD 141 and 148, the birth years of the brothers. All other inscriptions are in hieroglyphics (see Neugebauer/Parker, Egyptian astronomical
68
69
Neugebauer, Philosophical Society, n.s. 32, 1942, 209-250; pi. 1 27. For the earlier partial publication without the astronomical explanation, see W. Spiegelberg, Demotische Papyrus aus den koniglichen Museen zu Berlin, 1902, Taf. 99. in: Transactions of the American Philosophical Neugebauer, Society, n.s. 32, 1942, 243. For con clusions pertaining to the fixed point on the ecliptic and data on the tables being obtained through calculation and observation, see pages 240 and 242 respectively.
24 B. Bohleke
SAK 23
whether the astronomical To Neugebauer, is without for astrological purposes employed are used for positions of the planets does not with
tables
8279
would
have
been
the signs
of the zodiac
indicate
to the author
of the data. To back motivated the tabulation astrology were of "old-Egyptian stated that if the tables purposes origin then astrological gebauer can certainly no astrology be excluded because existed in Egypt before the latest period the numbers of its history"70. The errors in the document confusion between 10 and 20 -would if the Berlin papyrus had been copied from an original be explainable in hieratic, in which script the signs for these numbers that the hieratic have original would influence. used even when of not only in the Dead and other funerary but also compositions, These would have been for the most part composed Demotic script, was the standard are very similar71. The implication been a pharaonic ("old-Egyptian") is then compo
drawn sition
free
"sacred"
as the Book
mathematical in expository treatises. was developed, before Demotic but not necessarily the horoscopic (viz. O. Ashmolean, ostracon from the reign of Cleopatra and pBerlin 8279 itself turns out to be further VII) B.L. proof-in-point. table" was calculated van and der Waerden tried to prove reexamined by the methods at motions
were that all planetary positions known methods72. "Babylonian" sitions that recorded use the texts a fixed
calculated, Further,
this "eternal by which of each heavenly body and had been reckoned by
the systematic 4?-5? difference between po calculated modern methods "means longitudes by the zodiac, with the fixed connected stars, just as
moon texts
and planetary tables do. the origin of the zodiac in our ...[H]ence with that of the Babylonian texts and observation ephemerides time"73. Thus contra Neugebauer, whose later rebuttal claims the question coincides
must of computation remain unanswered74, the text could not be old Egyptian, and its raison d'etre would be more astrological than not. Any hieratic original would have been or even Roman the Ptolemaic, composed during period, by a scribe versed well enough in the old script to give his tables the aura of an antique pedigree75.
70 71 72
Neugebauer,
Philosophical
Society,
Neugebauer, B.L. van der Waerden, 50, 1947, 536-547; Van der Waerden,
in: Koninklijke
782-788. in: Koninklijke Nederlandsche Akademie van Wetenschappen, Proceedings 50, be around the beginning of the Seleucid and Ptolemaic eras. Hoesen, Egyptian astronomical texts HI, 235-240, and earlier Neugebauer/Van 173, note 82.
73 74
1947, 537. This would Neugebauer/Parker, Greek horoscopes, The astronomical Egyptian
75
texts which unequivocally refer to an original and pre-Hellenistic, pre-astrological trans concept of the heavens are pCarlsberg 1 and la, written in hieratic with Demotic
1996
Astrology
inv. 1132(B)
25
The
Stobart
Tables,
tablets
tables after AD
covering
the years AD
71
132 (with similar not been 365-day Whether unknown The native
substantial
composed 8279.
134 in Thebes,
tablets,
an additional as opposed
calendar papyrus76.
calendar
Tables
calculated
up using found
or presently solely by "Babylonian" as pBerlin the same formulas 827977. 9 are, however, influence. the result of
three Egyptian
columns
in pCarlsberg Hellenistic
mathematical
calculations
without
Copied
after AD
144 in Tebtunis
[emperor Tiberius
1 of the moon". These Pius], through Antoninus l.p.h. (equals) Year a at to the beginning of the end of which lunar cycle, the new years correspond 25-year moon this is a list year. Following 365-day again falls on the same day of the Egyptian with Leo, the sign in which the sun resided at the beginning of the zodiac, commencing of the Egyptian year at the time pCarlsberg the twenty-five of each year 9 was dates used copied. Thirdly, five lines of five on The the
numbers
provide
in the next
section
day of the second month and last part "great" from doubt specifies years
(those with
remaining already No
intercalary
lunar month),
known
festival days
dates had
from
BC
onward79,
the cycle
25 years=309
its purpose
and updated,
lation and commentary. They contain the cosmological texts describing the depictions of Nut and the decans found in the cenotaph of Seti I and the tomb ceiling of Ramses IV but date to the first century AD and come from Tebtunis in the Fayum (O.H. Lange/O. Neugebauer, Papyrus Carlsberg No. Text, Det Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes kosmologischer Bind Nr. in: Transactions of the Skrifter, 1, 2, 1940; Neugebauer, historisk-filologiske n.s. American Philosophical in: JAOS 63, 1943, 124; 32, 1942, 238f.; Neugebauer, Society, Selskab, 1, ein hieratisch-demotischer
76
Neugebauer/Parker, Egyptian astronomical texts I, 33-94; pi. 36-43). Stobart Tables: Neugebauer, in: Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, n.s. 32, 1942, texts III, 225-228, astronomical 232-240. Originally 209-263; Neugebauer/Parker, Egyptian recherches sur la division published by H.K. Brugsch, Nouvelles sur d'un suivies m6moire des observations plan?taires consignees de 1'anee des anciens Egyptiens, dans quatre tablettes 6gyptiennes 50,
77
Nederlandsche
Akademie
van Wetenschappen,
Proceedings
1947. For Neugebauer's rebuttal, see both citations 78 Beni Hasan I, pi. xxiv-xxv and pages 54, 61. 79 Parker, Calendars, ?? 49-140, pages 13-29.
in footnote 74 above.
26 B. Bohleke
SAK 23
of the zodiac80.
Not
only
could
its original
value
be maintained
for distri
at the appropriate to of grain to the temples times81, it could also be employed as as a and O. Ashmolean) for casting horoscopes tool lunar locations determine (such or Alexandrian into the Egyptian lunar calendar the Babylonian for converting year82. Lunar fragments, conjunctions the versos are also of three main which exists in sixteen D4876, topic of pVienna to information. Due of which contain the astronomical the interest in astronomical the remaining frag Because the their companions83. evidence, to see how elucidate the astrological the relationship
and Parker's
were not published as "astrological" with to the Roman be illuminating it would period, and how
to the lunar phenomena, to the lunar cycle of the zodiac 25-year the oldest direct From 73 BC comes related cartonnage culations the zodiacal sign in which of found in Abusir-el-Melek, for Years the moon were
this might
in Egypt. Retrieved from recto contains the cal to 84-73 BC. Given is the
of eclipse
and sometimes
calculations
to be simultaneously. The astronomical predicted were to those used in contemporary done in a manner similar apparently or not the does other include any omina texts85; papyrus astrological interpre planets
For pCarlsberg 9, see O. Neugebauer/A. der in: Quellen und Studien zur Geschichte Volten, Astronomie und B: in Mathematik Studien. Band 4, 1938, 383-406; Neugebauer, Physik, Abteilung Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, n.s. 32, 1942, 240, 242f.; Neugebauer/Parker,
Egyptian astronomical texts HI, 220-225; K.-T. Zauzich, in: Enchoria 4, 1974, 157f., Taf. 12.
81 82
19-22.
van Wetenschappen, Proceedings, remains to be pursued in this area. The is spelled out in col. A, lines 24-27 of a Vienna eclipse papyrus (R.A. Parker, Studies 2, 1959, 5, papyrus on eclipse- and lunar-omina, Brown Egyptological Akadademie that much work
Neugebauer/Parker, Egyptian astronomical texts III, 243-250. 84 Whereas contemporary scholarship has sometimes tiptoed around pseudo-science latching onto texts can a be studied in modern scientific context, I doubt very much that the Greek Imperial which world, especially in the first two centuries AD, would have undertaken astronomical pursuits without exploiting the opportunity to seek out astrological meaning. Even Ptolemy, whose Almagest cribes a cinematic "astronomical" model of the cosmos composed the substantial Tetrabiblos
counterpart.
83
des as a
85
Parker/K.-T. Zauzich, in: Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, The verso of the papyrus computes the dates of the solstices and equinoxes; in: Studies presented to Hans Jakob Polotsky, 1981,
1996
Astrology
27
eclipsethe Fayum
and
lunar-omina
papyrus
(pVienna AD86.
D6698 a copy
dates
their omina
of the year, hour the (mis)fortunes of the five depending upon the month occur. or the omina The effects could of the day night, and section of the sky in which on one country or spread over two or more. The second book treats lunar be concentrated countries, omina other than eclipses and their influence over Egypt and "foreigners"87. Nowhere in
86 87
papyrus. Parker, Vienna Demotic papyrus, could not distinguish any difference between the terms pi itm ("the disk") in the upper half of each column and ic\\ ("moon") in the lower half when they are considered in relation to the vignettes, which are all colored full disks. He concludes that both terms refer to the full moon, not the sun and moon respectively. The vignette in col. VIII (Ibid., 38) is black below and dark yellow above while in col. IX, line 5 (page 42) the text states "if you see the moon at a time when its northern part is black and it southern illuminated ...". These conditions, both associated with the jch, not pi itm, best describe the first or last quarter moon when the darkened
against the celestial background. Parker claims that it does not seem "possible to consider pi itm as referring to the sundisk" (page 35) because the sun's brilliance would preclude situations in which (black) disks or stars are adjacent to or in (hry-ib) it. The moon,
true, as Ptolemy noted (R.R. Newton,
he writes,
Ancient
could occult
astronomical
observations
1970, 156-164), though these objects would then be behind the lunar disk and not apparent on its face. To occult three stars at once as pi itm does (col. XII, line 2, page 43) would be a phenomenally rare event. (The ancients were well aware of the dark basaltic lunarmares and crater basins, so these should not be considered for explaining black disks and stars.) Without with Parker on this particular text, it must be noted that observations of sunspots (black stars?) were observed perhaps as early as 1200 BC in the Far East. Around 350 BC, Theophrastus of Athens, a pupil of Aristotle, made the earliest recorded observation of sunspots in disagreeing theWest. From 28 BC to AD no less than 112 observations
hen's egg, date, plum, eyes
1638 the systematically kept annals of China, Japan, and Korea record of sunspots, describing them as black emanations, or shaped like a
brows, or a three-legged crow. These observations were made in
with
of cases at sunrise/sunset, but other atmospheric conditions such as dust storms, smoke from fires, volcanic activity, and partially cloudy skies obscured the brilliance of the sun enough for the solar disk to be inspected. the majority only rare and fragmentary attestations of sunspots exist due to the misguided respect that the sun was a perfect body paid to the teachings of Aristotle, whose philosophy maintained without blemish. So prevalent and pervasive was this claim that in Einhard's Life of Charlemagne In theWest a sunspot seen around AD 807 had to be Even the Arabs, reinterpreted as a transit of Mercury. excellent astronomical observers and chroniclers but also the heirs toAristotle's works, forsook their well-earned knowledge of the skies for that scholar's pontification. Abu-1-Fadl Ja'far ibn al-Muktaft (AD 907-977) recorded that the philosopher al-Kindf observed a spot on the sun inMay AD 840,
28 B. Bohleke
SAK 23
either
the zodiac
appear.
Instead,
between
months
of the
Babylonian
(transcribed
into Demotic)
the Egyptian
calendar.
Because
month,
Egyptian
beginning of the fixed lunar calendar from around 625 to 482 BC. What might be fragments of the name of Darius I in the first book (Text A) tilts the date toward the
lower limit. Thus, derived the introduction of "judicial astrology" (otherwise called the 27th mundane dynasty, of astrology), and omen literature, from Babylonian took place during a late copy, retained its original form without papyrus,
the Vienna
the influence
Hellenistic Matched
astrology88. in character
with
the Vienna
papyrus
but distinct
in its employment
of
the
and Crete
in zodiacal
signs
in conjunction
(heliacal has
I of Hephaestion tradition
whose
relies
Nechepso-Petosiris
sources92. Most
interestingly,
Hughes
pCairo
which
he (erroneously) attributed to a transit of Venus. As much as Ptolemy had tried, he could not observe actual transits of Mercury and Venus (black disk?) and actual ancient sightings of these
are unknown. of pre-telescopic observations of solar phenomena, see R.J. Bray/R.E. Loughhead, a summary
phenomena For
Sunspots, 1965, 1, and D. Justin Schove, ed., Sunspot cycles, 1983. Might the Vienna text have been a copy of an original treatise describing both lunar and solar omina but altered to describe only the moon out of deference to the prevailing Aristotelian philosophy? If some of the black stars or disks seen on pi itm do refer to sunspots or transits of the inferior planets, the observations Egyptian or Babylonian 88 Parker, Vienna Demotic in the Vienna papyrus would constitute the sole examples of these phenomena sources. from
papyrus, 28-30. Papyrus Florence 8, of unknown provenance and Roman a concordance between the zodiac and the Tanis list of decans beginning with knm{t) date, provides as the first decan of Cancer (Neugebauer/Parker, Egyptian astronomical texts III, 252-254, pi. 80C).
this easy transition from the traditional Egyptian division of the heavens into the zodiac, the was set for astrology to grow rapidly. stage 89 W. Spiegelberg, Die demotischen Denkmaler II. Die demotischen Papyrus, CG 40, 1906-1908, 309 and pi. CXXIX. 90 G.R. Hughes, in: JNES 10, 1951, 256-264, pi. X. 91 Parker, Vienna Demotic papyrus, 11, note to line 26. To be read nl Grty "Crete". 92 in: JNES 10, 1951, 257. Hughes,
With
1996
Astrology
29
the same
role
to pBerlin
8345
(dis
lengthy
works only
would scraps
the Egyptian
equivalent.
In addition
31222 and pBerlin 8345, yet another fragment may fall into this category. From the
Roman [Gemini], period, pCairo 50143 preserves Of the seven 2 lines of text reading, planets (including to the closest Libra, Aquarius". counting "The 6th god isMercury. the sun and moon), Mercury to the sun. The three signs
from
the furthest
represent
of Mercury94. to the 2nd century columns for describing and complex and
AD
two
partial
computes
the pattern of
motion of
of Mercury
planet, for natal horoscopy the positions in which of planets at the hour of the patron's birth must be plotted96. For casting an accurate the horoscope, as first required personal data such the day, hour, and location of the client's astrologer such precise calculations are critical Secondly, portenders the tables of the planetary positions would provide could the locations fine-tune of the his pre celestial at the moment future which prospects would
the swift
the innermost
birth.
dictions refer
he would
of single travel,
in terms
of health,
proclivities,
and most
other
of the human
experience.
93 94 95 96
Hughes,
10, 1951, 257 and more recently Hughes, Egy. Studies Parker, 53-69. Die demotischen Denkmaler III, 1932, Taf. LIX. Neugebauer, in: JAOS 63, 1943, 124, Spiegelberg, note 53. For date, see Neugebauer/Parker, Egyptian astronomical texts III, 218. 143-147; Neugebauer/Parker, Egyptian astronomical texts III, 240f.,
in: JNES
Three other texts of tabulations have defied interpretation, thus they may or may not be astrological: Roman unknown 44, pFlorence period, provenance, preserves various large periods of days, one of which might signify the sidereal period of Jupiter (Neugebauer/Parker, Egyptian astronomical texts III, 250-252, pi. 80B); pOslo Inv. 1336, Roman period, Fayum, is a small fragment of two columns, the first of which lists day numbers of mean difference 27;36 days. The sequence of number de crease in column II is similar to that of 31 pCarlsberg (following) (Ibid., 254f., pi. 79C); pCarlsberg 31, 2nd century AD, Tebtunis in the Fayum, consists of four fragments of papyri tabulating numbers associated with years in a linear function, decreasing with a constant difference. The parameters and the value of an individual period are unknown from other contexts (Ibid., 241-243, pi. 79A; Parker, in: AcOr 26, 1962, 143-147).
30 B. Bohleke
SAK 23
of
of an Egyptian of individuals
the presence
of Venus
and Mercury
in their
at the time of birth97. Roman date within columns the floruit of Egyptian One astrology scholar,
four partial
are preserved98.
noting that each of the five planets in the dozen Places would have yielded 60 positions
and predictions, columns stantial planets to the extant Saturn when sections postulated complete99. to defining that this Some section of the handbook astrological would have covered dedicate 12 sub of Greek and Latin treatises
the Places
and explaining
the significance
of the presence
relations (i.e., the geometric among planets with respect aspects sun moon were Whether the and in treated is unknown; the signs)100. pBerlin text represents the final columns of the original, which would have begun with and moved to the faster-moving inner planets, and Mercury ending with Venus under to the Each as opposed expositions
or their various
(as is the case with the Stobart Tables, pBerlin 8279, and pLondiniensis 98 [below]).
The sectioning papyrus study adhered twelve Place theory to that is entitled the cosmos into eight Places. of the two remaining
97
in: Egy. Studies Parker, 53 and Hughes, in: JNES 10, 1951, 257. Note that in both pub Hughes, lications Hughes uses the word "Houses" instead of Places for the translation of Demotic c.wy. Further, he equates the Houses with the Lots (Kkf\poi), which is not correct. Thus the technical astrological domicilium) usually twelve stationary divisions of the sky through which representing a distinct aspect of life. The Place is equivalent
as the "mundane house". (Cf. Tester, History, 25, 29; for
was
translation of c.wy is rightly "Places". In ancient astrology, the House (oIkoc;, domus, the zodiacal sign in which the planet was thought to rule. The Place was one of the signs rotated diurnally, each Place to what is known inmodern astrology
see Barton, Anc. astrol., 98f.,
definitions,
Hoesen, Greek horoscopes, 7-9.) The source for the interpretations is no doubt the work of Nechepso and Petosiris. The origin of the Places has been attributed to Babylonia in: ZAS 41, 1904, 123), Egypt (Tester, (F. v. Oefele, History, 25), and specifically Hermetic literature (Gundel/Gundel, Astrologumena, 21, 34, 64 note 98 99 7, and 110). Spiegelberg, Dem. Pap. Berlin, 28, pi. 97. Oefele, in: ZAS 41, 1904, 125. Hughes, in: Egy. Studies Parker, 53 postulates 18 to 19 columns. 100 Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos EI. 10,128, trans. Robbins, 272-275 and 272f., note 2. Vettius Valens, Antholo giae IV, 12; IX, 3, ed. Pingree, 170-172, 320-323 respectively; see also Vettius Valens, Anthologies,
Livre I, I, 21, ed., trans., comm. J.-F. Bara, 1989, 180-191. Firmicus Maternus, Mathesis II.XV-XXI,
212-214
and Neugebauer/Van
1992-1994,
110-122. Manilius,
Astronomica
2.856-970,
trans. Gould,
lvi-lxi,
150
1996
Astrology
31
ni
shny.w
n pi order
ntr
twi/swg
"the
influences
follow will
in en
standard hance
each Place
and commentary
the prospects of health, wealth, and luck. Beginning with reputation, the ascendant is given in Egyptian. These (rc-hc.w) the name of each, where preserved, to the more common in meaning and Latin Greek of the correspond designations are the cardines, Places followed Places102. The most significant by the swSp (&7CO KA,{|iaTa; Greek loci 6, 9, and 12) that precede ll)103. the three upper cardines, and finally the twr (no
or penalize
analogue;
loci 7 and
The Demotic ostraca, in conjunction with pBerlin 8345 show the Places to be of key
importance could in casting be filled would a nativity. When in. These are the Demotic the client's horoscopic for casting hour of birth was which known, a template quite per ostraca, a Thompson
ceptively prefer labeling were the scrap paper upon which with other finally astrologer any planet planets near them), each
"elements
the locations by
Indeed, nativity"104. of the sun and moon were recorded of the signs of the zodiac swSp,
followed
within
of the Places,
twr, and
It would
refer back
section
of handbook
listing
interpretations
for the future by the presence of specific planets (viz. pBerlin 8345) or zodiacal signs
within the Places105. indicating likely such labor actually with occurred Tables are found in Thebes106, in pLondiniensis perhaps 98, which part Results was most
discovered
the Stobart
constituting
col. I, line 1;Mercury: col. HI, line 10. As Hughes, in: JNES 10, 1951, 259, note 1 points ni out, "the influences or results of shny.w has the specialized meaning of xd drcoTeXteuaxa, positions of the stars on human destiny". Hughes' article translated and interpreted pCairo 31222, an astral omen text entitled ni shny.w Spd.t "the influences of Sothis", a fixed star. 102 H. Thompson, in: PSBA 34, 1912, 228-231. For the Greek and Latin see designations, Neugebauer/Van Hoesen, Greek horoscopes, 7f.; Bouche-Leclercq, L'astrologie grecque, 276-288, 415-419; Boll, Sternglaube, 62f. 103 in: JAOS 63, 1943, 118f. Neugebauer, 104 in: PSBA 34, 1912, 227. Thompson, 105 The scraps of papyri constituting P. Vindob. D. 6614 (ed. E.A.E. Reymond, From the contents of the libraries of the Suchos temples in the Fayyum, Part 2. From ancient Egyptian hermetic writings, 1977, 143-157), whose precise meaning understandably escaped Reymond, preserve predictions for one who is born in the Place (not House!) of the "goddess" when one of the two luminaries is in it. The sections containing predictions when the other five planets are respectively present have been lost (Hughes, in: Egy. Studies Parker, 69). 106 F.L1. Griffith, in: ZAS 38, 1900, 71f., note 2.
101 Venus:
32 B. Bohleke
SAK 23
a highly
lines of
been
erased108. When
there is detailed discussion of the Periods of life and predictions regarding the fortunes
of the client Following during these periods portion of his life109. whose astronomical data permit a date the Greek of the horoscope,
horoscope"112.
In a recent forms
reanalysis past)
above,
questions Griffith's
why
certain
verb to be horos
(the Coptic
reinterpreted
translation
conditionals,
for Neugebauer
understanding
107 Barton,
Anc.
astrol.,
132.
108 Hoesen, Greek horoscopes, 28-32. Neugebauer/Van 109 and medicine under the Ibid., 32, 37f.; T. Barton, Power and knowledge: astrology, physiognomies, Roman Empire, 1994, 87; Barton, Anc. astrol., 132. For the definition of the Periods of life, see lOf. Hoesen, Greek horoscopes, Neugebauer/Van 110 Hoesen, Greek horoscopes, 34f. Thus, the date of its composition was sometime Neugebauer/Van in the early second century, contemporary with the Stobart Tables. 111 The Old Coptic section was originally published by C.W. Goodwin, in: ZAS 6, 1868, 18-24. Griffith's (in: ZAS 38, 1900, 71-93) work was the basis for an update by J. Cerny/P.E. Kahle/R. A. Parker, pi. XI-XII. Griffith (page 76) noted that the bad writing and spelling made him suspect that the author was not Egyptian, and that his knowledge "was of the language insufficient to enable him to write it phonetically with correctness, or even so as to be properly intelligible". The author of the Greek text sometimes used demotic signs in the horoscopic "chart" to spell the names of the decans (Neugebauer/Van Hoesen, Greek horoscopes, 29). We might have a case in which an Egyptian astrologer is better acquainted with the Greek language and script 1957, 86-100, in: JEA 43,
than the other astrologer. At this early stage of experimentation, there would be no standardized of transcribing Egyptian into such an alien system as Greek, trial and error and idiosyncratic method being the only path. There remain several ways of today transcribing languages, e.g. Arabic and Chinese, into Latin characters. method
112 Neugebauer/Van Hoesen, Greek horoscopes, 35, 37.
1996
Astrology
33
as a treatise had hinged of the Coptic on J. Cerny's condi view of the evolution - an re which might have been preceded tional113 by an unstated assumption opinion the case for pLondiniensis itself. Barton makes the nature of the horoscope 98 garding cope being opus the only to provide original more in the Neugebauer and Van Hoesen (not retrospective) horoscope a treatise but a one not than and that it is in fact prediction, extracted and vague from a treatise, an actual which rough draft horoscopic refine
of predictions
pronouncements
had yet
to undergo
circumstances114.
First published by Spiegelberg115, who dated it to the 1st century AD, O StraBburg
D521 has most likely been explained this text of only poses116. Within terms and associations. astrological of the 5 living the planet stars" gods pi followed with which 5 by as a document for teaching pur by W.M. Muller 15 lines are enumerated and critical Egyptian unique wn The first line is labeled pi pi 5 siw cnh "the list of the planets and, for the first
names the Egyptian they are associated117. siw cnh irm ntr.w
Lines
rn n pi
nb r-ir
"(these
stars and all the gods which constitute are mentioned the planets from diverges 8345. In this ostracon, are separated the planets by
whose
and Jupiter),
in the younger
Babylonian
order"119.
The second half of the ostracon is titled: pi wn ni si.w nty sr pi ibd 12 "the list of the
stars which technical are name spread (among) the 12 months"120. each There for the zodiac in Egyptian, sign being no collective is apparently a si.w of) stars" as "(group
the conclusion
months, [one year designated
Contained
of ordinal month
113 Cerny/Kahle/Parker,
by Neugebauer/Van
Hoesen,
Greek
horoscopes, 114 Barton, Power and knowledge, 86f., 92; Barton, Anc. astrol., 131, 133. 115 W. Spiegelberg, in: OLZ 5, 1902, cols. 6-9. 116 W.M. Muller, in: OLZ 5, 1902, cols. 135f. Further corrections and comments on O D521 were pub lished by Muller in: OLZ 6, 1903, cols. 8f. 117 Note that the anonymous astrologer authors of the Greek pLondiniensis 130 and pOxyrhynchus 307 employ the Greek equivalents (Neugebauer/Van Hoesen, Greek horoscopes, 19-24). 118 in: JAOS 63, 1943, 121. Neugebauer, 119 Ibid., 122; Neugebauer/Parker, Egyptian astronomical texts III, 236. 120 in: JAOS 63, 1943, 121. Neugebauer,
34 B. Bohleke
SAK 23
which
is coupled
the sign in which out of the zodiac are written time122. corresponds to Scorpio, calendar The
to Aries,
at the vernal
in the same
Because
stands
of the Alexandrian
period,
in the ostracon.
New Year's Day from about 370 to 250 BC, and in Scorpio on any day in IAkhet from
370 must to 130 BC123. These have attained early dates designate an air of authority realities of which the time of original composition, not to have updated to for the copiest of O D521 the 1st century AD. Perhaps the source of the
an Egyptian circulating
parallel
or precedent
to the Nechepso-Petosiris
or similar
compendium
contemporaneously.
inv. 1132(B)124 of demotic horoscopic documentation described at some length above pro
and conceptual P. CtYBR foundation inv. 1132(B), for understanding to the sparce astrological literature written in Egyptian. 19cm Measuring retains a title running completely but come horizontally extant, along the second and and the the top above three on a rough totally Greek
17cm,
the fragment
columns, surface of
is nearly fragmentary
(written
destroyed. letters on
turies125.
may
have
the few
the verso
are Greek
names
dating
palaeographically
to the 2nd
or 3rd cen
121 in: JAOS 63, 1943, 121. Neugebauer, 122 in: OLZ 5, 1902, col. 8. The Stobart Tables and pBerlin 8279 designate all the signs Spiegelberg, by their demotic sigla. The three StraBburg ostraca write out the names instead, all 12 signs being represented among these Medinet Habu horoscopes; seeW. Spiegelberg, in: ZAS 48,1910,146-150. 123 in: Transactions of the American Neugebauer, Philosophical Society, n.s. 32, 1942, 246f.; in: JAOS 122. 63, 1943, Neugebauer, 124 I would like to extend my thanks to Dr. Robert G. Babcock, Edwin J. Beinecke Curator, Early Books and Manuscripts, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University, for his kind to publish this text. Dr. Ruth A. Duttenhoefer, Papyrologist, Beinecke Library, lent her expertise to determine that the Greek name list is most likely on the recto. She has also informed me that the Demotic is clearly written against the fibers. 125 S. Emmel, The Yale papyrus collection, 1993, no pagination; entry under P. CtYBR inv. 1132. The permission is one of a substantial number purchased in Cairo in early April 1931. According to the are the from now dealer, papyri Abutig (ancient Apotheke) and Tebtunis. (See Depuydt, in: Enchoria 21, 1994, 1, note 1.) It was also in 1931 that important papyri, which formed the nucleus of the papyrus
1996
Astrology
35
Each column contains four headers, above a five every one of these in turn centered a name a of line entry of number ranges introducing non-luminary planet. The headers names of the signs of the zodiac, are the Egyptian with Aries (the vernal commencing to be easily restored. and thus permitting the last four in the destroyed column equinox), a section must of an astrologer's papyrus represent fragment as unequal the Terms pentamerous elucidating (6pioc, fines, termini), defined arc are slotted of each sign, in which the five planets in varying of the 30? This When handbook divisions
sequence. of a planet at the moment the position of birth is present within the degree range a as to to it is be "in the X". act said Terms of The Terms "fine assigned thereby planet, own lend nature to their the beneficial/maleficent influences; they tuning" horoscopic ramifications of a specific planet's presence within a sign and its aspects with other in the nativity126.
planets
collections
in Florence and Copenhagen, were obtained from Tebtunis (S. Donadoni, in: Acme 8, 1955, 74f.). Among them were pCarlsberg 1 (cosmological text), a papyrus for interpreting dreams (A. Volten, Demotische Traumdeutung (Pap. Carlsberg XIII und XIV verso), AnAe 3, 1942),
pCarlsberg 9 (lunar tables), pCarlsberg 31 (number tabulation associated with years), and Carlsberg 32 (motions of Mercury). P. CtYBR inv. 1088(B) and 1168(B), both currently unpublished, may concern astrological matters. Clearly further research is warranted to identify where centers for pursuits existed here. The most obvious answer to this is that in the cosmopolitan, diverse ethnically Fayum the temple libraries, which conserved and generated many genres of literary and scientific writings, counted astrology among the spheres of knowledge taught to young scribes. The temple being the traditional Egyptian center for learning and literacy, the priests must astrological have considered astrology a native subject whether it had been borrowed from their Greek overlords or concocted in Egypt by Egyptians writing inGreek (Nechepso and Petosiris). I agree with Depuydt that P. CtYBR inv. 1132(B) is significant partly because "it shows that native Egyptians used terms as an astrological medium in their mother tongue" (in: Enchoria 21, 1994, 6). However, this should
be surprising since other standard horoscopic tools such as the cardines, planets, zodiacal signs,
not
Places, Lots, triplicities, etc. are also attested in Demotic. I disagree strongly with Depuydt (Ibid., 7f.) that political motives need to be pondered "for the Sitz-im-Leben of the Demotic specimen" and that it was merely a "show-and-tell" piece for which "elucidation was the unique privilege of the class". If was elucidation the of the Greek ruling class, why ruling Greek-speaking unique privilege were the equally potent Lots, Places, etc. "allowed" to be used in Demotic horoscopes? And why are there interpretive treatises (pBerlin 8345, P. Vindob. D. 6614, and pLondiniensis 98) inDemotic and Old Coptic? Obviously, the natives had positions, power, influence, and money enough to seek knowledge of their fortunes and fate. Astrology was not the sole prerogative of Roman or Greek. That Terms have yet to appear in the few published Demotic horoscopes is probably owed to the statistics of preservation. They often do not appear in Greek horoscopes, either. For the contents of the libraries of the temples of Sobek, which included P. Vindob. D. 6614, see ed. Reymond, Suchos temples. 126 For a definition of Terms, see Hoesen, Greek horoscopes, Bouche-Leclercq, L'astrologie grecque, 206, and Neugebauer/Van 12. This handbook might have been kept in the temple archives.
36 B. Bohleke
SAK 23
or original commonly
ancient
text
the Greek
authors
elucidated Tetrabiblos
employed
notes which he
by their contemporary astrologers. no doubt derived from the system, on the government to rule)127. The compels and Ptolemy the quantity a given of the (zodiacal) Egyptian system its
the sign
a certain
is said
being
the majority of
of astrologers of planets
to criticize of degrees
inconsistency assigned
sign. He
sign might
be occupied triplicity,
the planet
the sign,
the ruler of a
a zodiacal has no special "influence" at all within sign. Ptolemy further questions the sense of the sum derived from the addition of degrees each planet a human the twelve holds among signs for determining lifespan. As the consummate astronomer degrees Ptolemy dismantles the assertion that the determination times of the order and (i.e., of the Terms are linked with the sum of all the rising
of the planets
for the two signs each planet rules). Almost two thousand years later S.J. Tester showed that even the genius of Ptolemy could not unravel of the Terms, the complexities and that when several factors are employed to decode how the totals are reckoned, it becomes apparent Ptolemy does that the Terms never were indeed originally based on rising times128.
He
defines the Terms, the reader knows them and their usage. assuming a table of the Egyptian and the number of planets of degrees provide sequence on them within each to before the "Chaldean" by occupied sign system, which moving to of the a the This assigns priority position system produces planet ruling triplicity129. regular, repetitive term sequence of planets and assignment of the number of degrees, from 8 in the first found less to 4 for the last130. The mechanical in the eyes of practicing planets Caldean
credence
to maleficent and first places for an aspiring client131. horoscope degrees In his attempt to formulate a viable
system, though logical, and its assignment of more astrologers, cast an optimistic could not have helped a chaotic,
system
from what
seems
one
and another which is suspected of being (the "Egyptian"), to have come upon a damaged which manuscript yielded
claims
believable
127 Tetrabiblos 1.20, trans. Robbins, 90-97. 128 For the details of the complicated argument, see Tester, History, 74-76 and his use of the clima and rising times in Neugebauer/Van Hoesen, Greek horoscopes, 3-5, 11. 129 Tetrabiblos 1.21, trans. Robbins, 98-101. 130 For clarification, see the table in BouchS-Leclercq, L'astrologie grecque, 210. 131 Comment by trans. F.E. Robbins, 98, note 1, citing Bouche-Leclercq, L'astrologie grecque, 210.
1996
Astrology
37
taking attempt,
into
consideration labors
Ptolemy's
sounds
and houses132. triplicities, saw practice, and the mention of an a the astronomer's method of veiling
which
background
not offer
guidance
for practice"133, that of Vettius Valens provided from which nativities could be cast and interpreted. Valens' and attribution of degrees such the client assigned happy such of degrees, deviating from
in sequence
that given
as beauty, born
so on, which
characteristics course of
under Beside
conditions archaic
expect of
to experience
in the Valens
his/her
lifetime135.
the
Critodemus136,
132 Tetrabiblos 1.21, trans. Robbins, 102-107. 133 Firmicus Maternus, Ancient astrology: theory and practice. Matheseos Libri VIII, trans. J.R. Bram, 1975, 4; Barton, Anc. astrol., 138f.; Tester, History, 70; Cramer, ARLP, 190. On the usefulness of tables, see Barton, Power and knowledge, 201f., accompanying mathematical note 225 and note 230. For manuscripts attributed to Valens, see Yavanajataka, ed. Pingree, 444f. 134 Livre I 1,3, trans. Bara, 78-90. Mercury: 5? (Vettius Valens) versus 8? (Ptolemy); Anthologies, Jupiter: 8? versus 7?; andMars: 4? versus 2?. See also Anthologiae Additamenta 5, ed. Pingree, 358. of Thebes, cf. Dorothei Sidonii Ptolemy follows Dorotheus of Sidon as found in Hephaestion Carmen Astrologicum, ed. D. Pingree, 1976, 429-431. 135 Barton, Anc. astrol., 114-131 casts an amusing, yet highly instructive natal horoscope for Prince employing the influences of the Terms as stated in Vettius Valens' handbook to foresee the prince's future. Concerning ourselves only with the influences of the Terms, the positions of five anciently-known planets at the time of Charles' birth (leaving aside the more complex issue of the Terms of the aspects, i.e., geometrical planetary relations such as triplicities), we may cite the following, using Dorotheus as our authority, to indicate some experiences to which Charles might Charles, face and to he and is all II 33.11, ed. Pingree, eyes, agreeable (page 127; Astrologicum 235). Venus is in the Terms of Jupiter (in Libra) - Charles "should work as a steward for women and amass some wealth thereby" (page 128; Astrologicum II 31.2, ed. Pingree, 233). is in the Terms and House of Mars (in Scorpio) - Charles "will be an insignificant fool, Mercury a shameless liar, neither believing in religion nor good works, and fond of adultery. He may act consort and with treacherously magicians. He will receive hostility from the people on the grounds that he is an untrustworthy reprobate" (page 127; Astrologicum II 32.3, ed. Pingree, 233). Mars is in the Terms of Mercury (in Sagittarius) - Charles "will be reasonable, keen to marry, clear (in Taurus) II 30.4, ed. Pingree, 232). thinking and intelligent" (page 127; Astrologicum the a is with Obviously astrologer dealing disparate series of contradictory variables even with only The moon look forward or has already experienced: is in the Terms and House of Venus - Charles will have a handsome a handbook without
38 B. Bohleke
SAK 23
another among
system
of Terms
authorship,
this one
including
number
of degrees
it assigns charts,
nocturnal137. AD senator from the only writer Firmicus Maternus a treatise in Latin dedicates chapter of his work a planet them and stating that when is found in Syracuse, if it were in its zodiacal Egyptian Later house. He thereafter the as
century
composed
a major
is as
to Ptolemy's Valens138.
scheme
found
authors
and compilers
(fl. AD 380), Anonymous of 379, Hephaestion of Thebes (fl. AD the Egyptian (fl. AD 500) either restate the Terms according to
method or employ it in casting assured model of Terms exists had been horoscopes139. early on. Dorotheus prominence of fragments140, Doretheus to himself composed commences as the king of his the of
number
Covering
astrology, referring
Pentateuch
a reference
to Hermetic
tradition,
four Terms, and though certain predictions ring true while others are not applicable, it is left to the astute expert to edit and tailor from what knowledge he might have of his client. 136 Cf. Yavanajataka, ed. Pingree, 424-426. Critodemus was an Egyptian astrologer who flourished in the late 1st century BC or early 1st century AD. His system of Terms followed a consistent pattern six planets, excluding the moon, "are listed in descending (Aries to Virgo) or ascending to (Libra Pisces) order; the first planet of each sign is the second planet of the preceding sign; and the first planet in Aries is the Sun" (Ibid., 212f.). IV 26, ed. Pingree,
Mathesis
in which
137 Anthologiae
grecque, 138 Firmicus
L'astrologie
139 Gundel/Gundel, Astrologumena, 220, 227. Paul of Alexandria: Pauli Alexandrini Elementa Apotelesmatica Ch. 3, ed. E. Boer, 1958, 11-14, 103; See citations inYavanajataka, ed. Pingree, 437f. and Gundel/Gundel, Astrologumena, 236-239; Tester, History, 74. 1, 194-211; Gundel/Gundel, Astrologumena, 159, 239-241. of Thebes: ed. Pingree, infra, (see index in vol. 1, page 424 and Hephaestion Apotelesmaticorum, vol. 2, page 451 for citations of 6piov); see citations in Yavanajataka, ed. Pingree, 429; Bouche Anonymous Leclercq, L'astrologie
81f.
of 379: CCAG V
Astrologumena,
astrol.,
Rhetorius
Astrologumena,
the Egyptian:
249-151;
in Yavanajataka,
astrol., 82; Tester,
ed. Pingree,
History, 94f.
and Gundel/Gundel,
1996
Astrology
39
Egypt
instructing
his
First dated
thought
to have
been
Dorotheus
of Thrasyllus144, works
and senior
of Anubio
complex,
be retained
Terms is precisely list of Egyptian Ptolemy's and compilers, the tradition carried on by all later astrologers who that of Dorotheus147, own more the system over Ptolemy's reasoned maintained (and consciously) carefully highly successful; revision. his verses Not to the success of the author's and as a testament fortuitously, on the Terms were excerpted of Thebes and have by Hephaestion intentions, come down
to the present148.
Commentary Owing touch to Depuydt's upon what 1 has The recent publication, only a truncated commentary is necessary to
he did not mention. been constructed preceding primarily each according signify to the layout the sequence system of P. CtYBR of each planet are inv. and there those of
numbers
column
of degrees
attributed
to them of degrees
Where
is variation
in the number
and Scorpio)
... to have claimed also "to have traveled in Egypt and Babylon gathered the best of the sayings of the first authorities" (Ibid., 58). 142 117-121. Gundel/Gundel, Astrologumena, 143 Yavanajataka, ed. Pingree, 426f.; Tester, History, 80, 88f. 144 Cramer, ARLP, 186, note 311. 145 Yavanajataka, ed. Pingree, 422 and 435f.; Gundel/Gundel, Astrologumena, fig. 2. Very little is astrol., 57. Dorotheus whose name suggests a native Egyptian, a Greek living in Egypt, or a the writer with Egyptian tradition. His reputation stems from having pseudonym associating a on poem composed astrology in elegiacs. Manetho, born AD 80 was associated with the revelation of magical doctrines and appears in connection with a compendium of astrological poetry titled the known about Anubio(n), ed. A. Koechly, Apotelesmatika (Manethonis Apotelesmaticorum, 1858) and is said to have come from Sebennytos. Some of his works were burned as magical texts in AD 487/8. 146 Barton, Power and knowledge, 90, citing Bouche-Leclercq, L'astrologie grecque, 207f., notes that an memory played important part in the practice of astrology. In a society where literacy was not common, and books not written for ready reference, oral tradition would be the main purveyor of knowledge. 147 Tester, History, 90. 148 I 1, 9; 28; 47; 66; 86; 105; 124; 144; 164; 183; 202; 222, ed. Apotelesmaticorum Pingree, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 22, 25, 27, 29 (=Astrologicum, ed. Pingree, 429-431).
4f., 7,
40 B. Bohleke
SAK 23
the second
of Ptolemy.
The
planetary
sequence
column,
no ex
in the Beinecke
papyrus,
is reconstructed
to the principle
below.
Title
If preserved, Demotic the horizontal heading at the top of this need D the papyrus not require 521 there would have yielded the definition of the Terms. been each However, any unknown is no special technical collective ibd 12
designated
as a siw and
the total
"the twelve months." Based on this and other texts (pCairo 31221 and pBerlin 8345),
which begin with [pi wn] the formulaic ni] heading sw.w(l) which ''ni shny.w [cnh.wl n X", reconstruct the influences The ni s[hny.w nty sr nil] (among) might ibd n rn[-f]... the specified one tentatively "the list of
of the living
planets
are distributed
months".
first preserved
ink149. The
vation.
in red, the remainder of signs done in black group of signs is written reser last visible I have read with extreme group, over the second column,
Column 1 (right)
The text begins in the orthodox of manner signs with with Aries, the sign of the Spring charts equinox. by the writings Comparing one gets: Neugebauer150, Aries: The spelling the four the palaeolgraphic provided
with
animal-hide
determinative
is most
similar
to that found
in
pCarlsberg 9 col. I, 11 and O StraBburg D 521, line 7 (which deletes the animal-hide
determinative). Taurus: stroke151 The orthography phonetic appears more is surely is unique, complement serpentine intended written phonetically instead with upraised-arms steer ki and sign. The in Aries,
(with added
'aleph) than
of the standard
determinative
is what
(see Saturn
Gemini: The full writing is most similar to two Medinet Habu ostraca, O. Strassburg (line 7) and O. Thompson I/O. Strassburg (line 20). The htre sign in CtYBR has two
parallel col. horizontal strokes, a feature found in the symbol used in Stobart Table C2 rev., I, 5.
149 siw is clear. The vertical sign after this word could be the plural -w ending or the beginning
of cnh.
sign
150 in: JAOS 63, 1943, pi. 1, 3, and 4. Neugebauer, 151 W. Erichsen, Demotisches Glossar, 1954, 554 right-hand column, bottom
left.
1996
Astrology
41
lion pi
(1)12? [* Jupiter
(2)5? (3)4? [Venus [Mercury
?/l]
?/?] ?/?]
(1)6?
(2)5? (3)7?
Jupiter
Venus Saturn
[7]/[l]
13/8 19/[14]
(1)6?
(2)6? (3)8?
7/1 Jupiter
Venus Mercury 12/8 18/13
(5)4? (4)5?
[Mars [Saturn
26/2]4 30]/27
[2]4/[20] 30/25
pi kilthz
(4)5? (5)5?
*c Mars l Saturn
bull
24/19 30/25
(3)8?
(4)4?
Venus] ["
[^Saturn]
] 6/1
111]
(2)10?
(5)2?
iuVenus
Saturn
6/1
[12orl3]/7
(1)8?
(4)5?
*cn Venus
Saturn
7/1
12/8
htrelthe
111] 111] 111] [Jupiter [Venus 111] 30/?] f?c Saturn Mercury [* [Mars
*c * (1)6? Mercury 12/7 (4)7? Mars 18/13 (2)6? Jupiter (3)5? Venus (5)6? Saturn
crab
6/1
24/19 30/25
knhdlthc
13/7 19/14
25/20 30/26
c H *?
= ruler of the solar house = exaltations; signs in which planets are influential = depression = ruler of the lunar house = ruler of triplicity: day/night/both
Fig.
1: P. CtYBR
inv. 1132(B).
42 B. Bohleke
SAK 23
examples
I, 12. An
the crab sign, designating the crab sign to precede before being
is the dark feature of CtYBR surrounding interesting was expunged an erasure. Either the star determinative to allow sign had initially been drawn unsatisfactorily and
then erased
Planets
is usually (swgi): The name of the planet spelled skb(w). Neugebauer Parker list swgi as a "rare Demotic variant"152. This spelling appears in pCairo 50143 8345 col. IV, 6. I, 3 and as swg in pBerlin Mercury Venus pronunciation determinative Mars determinative attribution in pBerlin determinative determinative table C, rev. (pi ntr tiy): Written of dwi. after (Hr-t?y): The phonetically except with the demonstrative here tfy-sign to reflect
the
spelling,
of the Horus-standard
ntr,
II, 26.
"Horns
denoting
the knife "Bloody" considering nature of the god, an aspect present in the Greek the god of war. Mars is written with the knife alone Madi other ostraca153, examples orthography and with are written Hr-tS the knife without is Hr-t$e and star
or perhaps
in pCairo except I, 4,
for pCtYBR.
standard to pCtYBR.
the example
closest
As the case with Mars, the name of Jupiter is spelled (Hr-piSti): are the signs often used as shorthand to designate the planet (e.g., the names
is clearly
serpent.
Column 2 (middle)
Leo: diagonal Unlike variant, after all extant the others examples, having the mi-sickle the horizontal strokes following commencing sign with mi. followed. the word vertical slash. for lion is the is The word instructive
It would
have
been
whether
of determinative
152 153
Neugebauer/Parker, Egyptian astronomical texts III, 180. Four examples: O. Firenze 1154, 1060a and b, and 1066.
1996
Astrology
43
Virgo: writing
The
feminine
article
this is a fuller
a unique
rendering
of
the
sign,
to pCairo similar
preceding
to that in Stobart
Scorpio: The
attestations. determinative; pCarlsberg The
spelling
remains of CtYBR
includes
a large, was
the final
elegant
'aleph of dli,
are
not written
before
in other
the star in
perhaps 9 I, 8.
written
present
as that partially
preserved
The
spellings
signs
of every
terized
writings in other
in nearly (especially
include
8279,
pCairo
and sometimes
in the Stobart
is left with
the impression
the Fayum,
noting
of switches is ambiguous."
between points
and Mercury,
further
attributed to each planet in the first two columns is indeed 6?, deviating only by having
one instance preliminary The arc being of one planet's can be developed analysis papyrus, is the same 5? and another further. 7? to compensate154. However, this
is not randomly of though unique, arranged. The sequence as that of the In Taurus and Gemini, the planets system. Egyptian malefic has been moved from fourth position to second, in Scorpio it is the benefic has been moved. in Virgo, both systems Also, (Jupiter) which except respectively give to the same planet. Obviously, first position are related. the two systems in Aries The third column also shares a relationship with the 7toa6Tr|<; (the number of degrees
Beinecke
assigned to each planet) in theEgyptian system, which gives an imposing 12? to the first planet in Sagittarius and Pisces (Jupiter and Venus respectively). Breaking the 6? ? 1?
rule of the first two columns, the traces corresponding to Sagittarius assign 3? and 4? res
154
Depuydt,
in: Enchoria
21, 1994, 8.
44 B. Bohleke
SAK 23
of the planetary two planets155. If the reconstruction sequence to the maleficent have been assigned these degrees would 2 below) last
is
is there an underlying logic so that Jupiter = 1, Venus for the first eight with
in Aries = 5, the
constructed apparent
(preserved) Leo,
zodiacal
sequence,
beginning
in which
in the zodiacal till it heads the planetary sequence position back to the fourth position and moves forward once more. the destroyed of the triplicity. planets. Columns section Note I-IV of the papyrus, that column share V a sequence remains
it reverts into
Extrapolating
this pattern
the repeating 1254. 1254/1234 sequence as not Such echeloned sequences system of Terms. However, aspects of the Egyptian are sun (but not the moon) the basis which included the Critodemus' and of system, they a 5? arc within each of these six "planets" each sign156. always assigned the system there are now at least seven Including employed by Indian astrologers variations of the disposition of the Terms157. In his withering attack upon fatalistic
known
prognostication
of the Terms, And which, these
portion
to a certain
most tables
there
little disagreement
amongst
them and
scholars
remarked or ostraca
leading
which
they attribute
to incomplete
of astrology
century
AD159.
155
Depuydt, in: Enchoria 21, 1994, 3 read "24" for the initial degree of the last planet, but the vertical line is really the divider (or preposition r), not part of the number, which is clearly the sign for 7. The curved line above this sign can only be the numeral 4, part of the number 24.
Yavanajataka, ed. Pingree, 212.
156
157
Ibid., 211-216. 158 Sextus Empiricus, Against the professors V.37-38, trans. R.G. Bury, 1949, 338f. For more on the life of Sextus, see Yavanajataka, ed. Pingree, 442 and Cramer, ARLP, 203-207. 159 Hoesen, Greek horoscopes, 35. Earlier in the present century Bouche-Leclercq Neugebauer/Van lamented that there had yet to be any interest in ascertaining whether the inhabitants of the Nile always followed Dorotheus'
in cast horoscopes.
Egyptian
1996
Astrology
45
II
Aries
I
2
3
I II
12
I III I IV I V
3 5 4
Taurus
Gemini Cancer
5
4 4 ^^^\
3
\<^ ls^\
J^|
^^^ J>^^\
4
^ 3
Leo
J^^ ^^^
^^^
^^^
Virgo
Libra
|T^^
^<^* ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^
Scorpio
Sagittarius Capricorn Aquarius
^^^
l^i
_t__^^\_-H_
^^^
\^^l 3 5 ^^^\ \?^ 4
^^^
45 3
\ ^^
^ $ ^^^
l^z
Pisces
Fig. 2: Sequence of planets struction of missing data.
4 A?^\
in preserved section of P. CtYBR
2t^\
inv. 1132(B)
5 3
and postulated recon
concerns,
Barton
states
and odd
appear
doctrine
in early supports
to this author
so much on
but rather
variations
concurrently
and mutable
While pCtYBR fits into such a description of pre-2nd century AD astrology, it is far
from Demotic being a random sequence of planets logical and blend attribution of degrees. Instead, system this of list of Terms is a noteworthy of the Nechepso-Petosiris
160 Barton, Power and knowledge, 89. 161 note (L'astrologie grecque, 213, note 2) Barton, Anc. astrol., 132. Also, see Bouche-Leclercq's remark that each of several astrologers' concerning Demophile's systems of Terms was in the others'. with disagreement
46 B. Bohleke
SAK 23
Dorotheus' verse
Terms
standard known
because
in Greek,
to a small
segment
not have been helpful when of the Egyptian This would the population. was recorded or an Egyptian a in Demotic native astrologer only speaker. some other device, must that of Critodemus instead of be oral, being graphic to serve the same mnemonic purpose. two early Egyptian system of Terms out methods around united to increase the likelihood floruit. it was The not of success in
turned could
to be a failed
orally and,
illiterate
population
echeloned
in Greek, easily
of
communication boundaries
where
it could wider
be spread
audience.
pCtYBR possibly
and Critodemus
systems.
SAK 23 B. Bohleke
Tafel 1
*tfsfti
^^i
SBk
.*oI6hI