Pttolemy...

[Mark David Tristan Brenchley]

Since I don't have V to hand, I apologise in advance in case any of the
following is irrelevant...


1. Re. Ptlomey P. , This period is a major shift in the classical world,
when the capital of greece (hello western civilisation!) moved to
Alexandria. This opened up new doors for the Greeks, making their culture
a lot less static. hellenistic Literatue begann in this period, under the
strong influence of patronage (cf. Theocritus Idylls). also a time when
greeks were uncertain about their nationality and felt need to reassert
itself...

2. Ancient astrology:

   Ancient Messopotamia -

         - Mul anin text lists constellations in 3 broad bands (each of
which is  the path of a God). There are 17 constellations.
 
          - Zodiac split into codecatemories (Each zodiac sign has
micro-Zodiac), built on a numeral (NOT geometric, that's Greece)
relationship , with a sexagasimal place-value system.

   Ancient Egypt 

       - no place value system.
       - clandar = 12 months of 30 days with 5 epagomenal (extra) days,
	(cf. game of Chess)

   Ptolemaic Egypt (I forget which one):

Zodiac included the messopotamian constellations of the Balance and the
scorpion. The balance was know also known as "The Horizon" (cf. horus
imagery).

	-look out for thoth God of writing, change (equivalent of Hermes)

	- 36 constellations called 2baiku" or "decans"

PRINCIPLES OF ANCIENT ASTRONOMY:

   - Sun centred
   - Jupiter/moon/Venus  = Benefic influences
     Saturn/Mars 	 = Malefic Influences
     Sun/Mercury   	 = Mixed Influences (Mercury being more a
transitional element)..

   - Notions of Astral influence:

 	Ptolemy:
 	         4 elements
                    - hot + moist = benefic, fertile & active	
		    - dry & cold  = destructive/passive forces

		    - Moisture= feminine (Venus + Moon)
		    - mercury= hermaphrodidic ie. dry & moist

    - Goddess ishtar = mother of universe
		but/ there are two views of her
			1. Greece= goddess of voluptuous love
			2. Egyptians = purity and Grace

			therefore i would suggest her to be a transition
figure, correspondent to Mercury (the hermaphrodite)


hope this helps,
mark