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De Ostentis (The Signs) by Johannes Lydus

1 by Mark
I am wondering if anyone has read the new Italian translation of De Ostentis (On the signs in the Heavens) of Johannes Lydus ( ''John the Lydian'') by Erika Maderna? Lydus was a 6th century, Byzantine writer based in Constantinople.

His work not only contains useful material in itself but is the primary source for many other astrologers. For example the work of the Roman astrologer Nigidius Figulus. Here is a review of the recent Italian translation.

http://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2008/2008-07-14.html

As far as I know there is no extant English translation of this important work on classical divination and astrology. As I understand it the original work was is in Byzantine Greek although most of the sources it quotes were originally in Latin. The work is also one of the best surviving sources relating the techniques of Etruscan divination.

I would be interested to hear more on this collection of texts by Lydus from any forum members that read Italian. Especially, if anyone has had a look at Campestrio's ''treatise on comets" ( 3rd or 4th c. AD) and ''observations on omens of the moon'' from the work of Labeo (probably the 3rd-c. AD author).

Thanks

Mark
As thou conversest with the heavens, so instruct and inform thy minde according to the image of Divinity William Lilly

Re: De Ostentis (The Signs) by Johannes Lydus

2 by margherita
MarkC wrote:I am wondering if anyone has read the new Italian translation of De Ostentis (On the signs in the Heavens) of Johannes Lydus ( ''John the Lydian'') by Erika Maderna? Lydus was a 6th century, Byzantine writer based in Constantinople.
Mark
I gave a look but I did not buy it, I cannot buy everything :(

Lydus is not an astrologer, but as you wrote, collects several previous texts about signs in the sky, stars rising and setting and their relationship with weather.

My friend bought it, but because he is involved with weather astrology, in that case it's very useful. I don't know, maybe I will decide to buy it, but it's a collection of omina, no more, no less than this,
margherita
Traditional astrology at
http://heavenastrolabe.wordpress.com

3 by sasha_i
Thanks for the link Mark.

I putted on my wish list. For the moment I am struggling with Antonio Panaino?s Tessere il cielo, and Montse Diaz Fajardo?s, Tasyir y proyecci?n de rayos en textos astrol?gicos magreb?es.

4 by Mark
Thanks Margherita/ Sasha,

Yes I guess there is lot to get through in one lifetime. :-?

I am especially intrigued because it one of the few important classical sources on comets I haven't read.

Is it very expensive? I am thinking of buying a copy and getting some sections translated privately.

Mark
As thou conversest with the heavens, so instruct and inform thy minde according to the image of Divinity William Lilly

5 by margherita
MarkC wrote:Thanks Margherita/ Sasha,

Yes I guess there is lot to get through in one lifetime. :-?

I am especially intrigued because it one of the few important classical sources on comets I haven't read.

Is it very expensive? I am thinking of buying a copy and getting some sections translated privately.

Mark
No, it costs 18 euro.
If I buy I will tell you, sometimes I think yes and sometimes not, but believe me it's for lovers of "if I wake up to the left side of the bed everything will go bad" more or less at least :)

margherita
Traditional astrology at
http://heavenastrolabe.wordpress.com

6 by Mark
No, it costs 18 euro.

Oh is that all. I thought it would cost a fortune.
If I buy I will tell you, sometimes I think yes and sometimes not, but believe me it's for lovers of "if I wake up to the left side of the bed everything will go bad" more or less at least
Thats a little harsh. :D

Ok I accept there is not much of a market for divination using lightining or weather these days. Still. lets not forget the divinatory origins of astrology in liver divination! While we love to work with the predictable cycles of astrology the role of portents such as comets has also had a venerable role in the history of astrology too.

Mark
As thou conversest with the heavens, so instruct and inform thy minde according to the image of Divinity William Lilly

7 by Olivia
Stop tempting me you evil people :lala

I LOVE those kinds of off-beat connections, and I used to have a huge collection of weird folklore. You know - the stuff that has spells in it where you need water and keys from wells and houses in seven different cities? That have to be gathered when certain omens are present in the sky else they won't work?

I can't even remember what they were supposed to do - but I'm a complete sucker for those stories.

Aarrrgghhh. Though for some reason, Italian is one of the few romance languages I'm not terribly conversant with - that's a good enough excuse, I guess.

It sounds like an interesting book, though.

8 by Mark
I have seen the book on ABE but the seller is only delivering within Italy itself. Cannot find it on Amazon but then the search facility is not that sophisticated there.

Any suggestions where I can order online?

Thanks

Mark
As thou conversest with the heavens, so instruct and inform thy minde according to the image of Divinity William Lilly

11 by Mark
Thanks Sasha,

I am always a bit concerned ordering in a language I dont speak. I have managed to find a US supplier and plan to order from them even though it costs a bit more. Thanks for your suggestions anyway.

Mark
As thou conversest with the heavens, so instruct and inform thy minde according to the image of Divinity William Lilly
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