The Heavenly Writing: Divination, Horoscopy, and Astronomy in Mesopotamian Culture
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.29 (703 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0521716616 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 360 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2017-09-11 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
Magistretti Distinguished Professor of Near Eastern Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. . She is a recipient of the John D. She is the author of Babylonian Horoscopes (1998) and Aspects of Babylonian Celestial Divination: The Lunar Eclipse Tablets of Enuma Anu Enlil (1988). and Catherine T. MacArthur Fellowship and the John Simon
Relating the various ways the heavens were contemplated and understood, this study traces the emergence of personal astrology from the tradition of celestial divination and how astronomical methodology developed for horoscopes. Its importance lies in its treatment of Babylonian celestial sciences (celestial divination, horoscopy, and astronomy) as subjects relevant to the history of science and culture.. Celestial phenomena in ancient Mesopotamia was observed and interpreted as signs from the gods as well as physical phenomena
Her nuanced approach is informed by a critical analysis of relevant materials in the history and philosophy of science and, as a result, the earliest scientific enterprise can now be appreciated in its proper cultural context." Bernard R. Goldstein, University Professor Emeritus, University of Pittsburgh"The Babylonian science of the heavens, divination through ominous phenomena and personal horoscopes, and astronomy both observational and mathematical, is the earliest of all sciences, at once empirical and theoretical. She has woven the story around the components of astral omens, astrology, and astronomy, while challenging many assumptions about disciplinary boundaries as they apply to ancient texts. Swerdlow, The University of Chicago"This is a fascinating book, one that readers interested in the history (and, perhaps, p