The exaltations of Greco-Roman astrology and their relation to Babylonian Normal Star positions

It is demonstrated that the longitudes of the planetary exaltations mentioned in numerous Greco-Roman and Late Antique astrological sources derive from Babylonian Normal-Star longitudes. This is achieved through a comparison between both sets of longitudes. Supporting evidence is found in the Late Babylonian astral compendium BM 36609+. The Babylonian longitudes were transferred to exaltations without significant changes, but their association with stars was discarded. The sun’s exaltation constitutes an exception, since it does not correspond to a Normal Star, but appears to have been defined in relation to the longitude of the Pleiades, which became the moon’s exaltation.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal for the History of Astronomy
Published
2025-10-31
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/00218286251353245
Primary Topic
Ancient Near East History
Type
article
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article

The exaltations of Greco-Roman astrology and their relation to Babylonian Normal Star positions

Mathieu Ossendrijver
Journal for the History of Astronomy
Ancient Near East History
article

The exaltations of Greco-Roman astrology and their relation to Babylonian Normal Star positions

Mathieu Ossendrijver
article en

Abstract

It is demonstrated that the longitudes of the planetary exaltations mentioned in numerous Greco-Roman and Late Antique astrological sources derive from Babylonian Normal-Star longitudes. This is achieved through a comparison between both sets of longitudes. Supporting evidence is found in the Late Babylonian astral compendium BM 36609+. The Babylonian longitudes were transferred to exaltations without significant changes, but their association with stars was discarded. The sun’s exaltation constitutes an exception, since it does not correspond to a Normal Star, but appears to have been defined in relation to the longitude of the Pleiades, which became the moon’s exaltation.

Journal for the History of AstronomyVol. 56(4)
Freie Universität Berlin (DE)
Openalex Percentile: Top 68%
Ancient Near East History
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