Horoscopes and Public Spheres: Essays on the History of Astrology (Religion and Society) (Religion and Society (de Gruyter))

This volume engages the specific role of horoscopic astrology in Western culture from antiquity to the nineteenth century. Focusing on the public appearance of astrological rhetoric, the essays break new ground for a better understanding of the function of horoscopes in public discourse. The volume's three parts engage the use of imperial horoscopes in late antiquity, the transformation of doctrines and rhetorics in Islamic medieval contexts, and the important status of astrology in early modern Europe. The combination of historical in-depth studies and methodological considerations results in an important contribution to religious and cultural studies. Introduction: Horoscopes And History / Guenther Oestmann, H. Darrel Rutkin, Kocku Von Stuckrad -- Horoscopes And The Public Sphere In Antiquity -- Sulla's Horoscope? (firm. Math. 6,31,1) / Wolfgang Hübner -- What Was Agrippina Waiting For? (tacitus, Ann. Xii, 68-69) / Josèphe-henriette Abry -- The Emperor Hadrian In The Horoscopes Of Antigonus Of Nicaea / Stephan Heilen -- The Possible Survival Of Babylonian Astrology In The Fifth Century Ce : A Discussion Of Historical Sources / Nicholas Campion -- Medieval Astrology : Muslim And Jewish Discourse -- Māshā'allāh's Zoroastrian Historical Astrology / David Pingree -- Circular Motions : Private Pleasure And Public Prognostication In The Nativities Of The Mughal Emperor Akbar / Eva Orthmann -- The Horoscope Of Iskandar Sultān As A Cosmological Vision In The Islamic World / Anna Caiozzo -- Historical Horoscopes Of Israel : Abraham Bar Ḥiyya, Abraham Ibn Ezra, And Yosef Ben Eliezer / Josefina Rodríguez-arribas -- The Use Of Horoscopes In Renaissance And Early Modern Europe -- Various Uses Of Horoscopes : Astrological Practices In Early Modern Europe / H. Darrel Rutkin -- Reading Health In The Stars : Politics And Medical Astrology In Renaissance Milan / Monica Azzolini -- Evidence And Conjecture In Cardano's Horoscope Collections / Steven Vanden Broecke -- The Function Of Horoscopes In Biographical Narrative : Cardano And After / Kocku Von Stuckrad -- J.w.a. Pfaff And The Rediscovery Of Astrology In The Age Of Romanticism Günther Oestmann -- Epilogue. The Historiography Of Astrology : A Diagnosis And A Prescription / Patrick Curry. Edited By Guenther Oestmann, H. Darrel Rutkin, Kocku Von Stuckrad. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Introduction: horoscopes and history Horoscopes and the public sphere in antiquity What was Agrippina waiting for? The Emperor Hadrian in the horoscopes of Antigonus of Nicaea The possible survival of Babylonian astrology in the fifth century CE : a discussion of historical sources Medieval astrology : Muslim and Jewish discourse Zoroastrian historical astrology Circular motions : private pleasure and public prognostication in the nativities of the Mughal Emperor Akbar The horoscope of Iskandar Sultan as a cosmological vision in the Islamic world Historical horoscopes of Israel : Abraham bar Riyya, Abraham ibn Ezra, and Yosef ben Eliezer The use of horoscopes in Renaissance and early modern Europe Various uses of horoscopes : astrological practices in early modern Europe Reading health in the stars : politics and medical astrology in Renaissance Milan Evidence and conjecture in Cardano's horoscope collections The function of horoscopes in biographical narrative : Cardano and after J.W.A. Pfaff and the rediscovery of astrology in the age of romanticism. Main description: This volume examines the specific role of horoscopic astrology in Western culture from antiquity to the nineteenth century. Focusing on the public appearance of astrological rhetoric, the essays break new ground for a better understanding of the function of horoscopes in public discourse. The volume's three parts address the use of imperial horoscopes in late antiquity, the transformation of doctrines and rhetorics in Islamic medieval contexts, and the important status of astrology in early modern Europe. The combination of in-depth historical studies and methodological considerations results in an important contribution to religious and cultural studies North American and European scholars examine formal approaches to such features of poetry as rhyme, alliteration, and meter, investigating such questions as what rules govern formal elements of poetic language in particular traditions or poets, which line types do poets never produce and why, and why certain metrical patterns sound better than others. English, Greek, Japanese, Somali, and Russian are among the languages explored. Annotation :2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)