Hephaistio of Thebes
Encyclopedia
Hephaistio of Thebes (fl. ca. 415 CE) was a Late Antique
astrologer
of Egyptian descent who wrote a work in Greek known as the Apotelesmatics (Apotelesmatika) in the early 5th century. Much of the work appears to be an attempt to synthesize the earlier works of the 1st century astrologer Dorotheus of Sidon
and the 2nd century astrologer Claudius Ptolemy. Hephaistio is seen mainly as one of the later compilers of the Hellenistic tradition of astrology
since he mainly draws from earlier astrologers, including Antiochus of Athens
, and he summarizes large portions of Ptolemy and Dorotheus, which is helpful to modern scholars since we have no other record of many of the authorities that he quotes.
Hephaistio's intention appears to have been to reconcile the authoritative Ptolemaic tradition with the earlier practices represented by Dorotheus of Sidon. He wrote at a time and in a place (likely Alexandria
) when astrological ideas were being summarized and consolidated, after the removal of the capital of the Empire
from Rome
to Constantinople
. His contemporaries included Paulus Alexandrinus
(378 CE) and the anonymous author of the well-known Treatise on Fixed Stars (379 CE).
Although influential on later Byzantine astrologers, his work seems to have had little impact in the Arab
tradition which followed.
The first two volumes of the Apotelesmatics have been translated into English (by Robert Schmidt of Project Hindsight); the third volume on Katarchic astrology
(e.g., electional
) is in preparation.
Late Antiquity
Late Antiquity is a periodization used by historians to describe the time of transition from Classical Antiquity to the Middle Ages, in both mainland Europe and the Mediterranean world. Precise boundaries for the period are a matter of debate, but noted historian of the period Peter Brown proposed...
astrologer
Astrologer
An astrologer practices one or more forms of astrology. Typically an astrologer draws a horoscope for the time of an event, such as a person's birth, and interprets celestial points and their placements at the time of the event to better understand someone, determine the auspiciousness of an...
of Egyptian descent who wrote a work in Greek known as the Apotelesmatics (Apotelesmatika) in the early 5th century. Much of the work appears to be an attempt to synthesize the earlier works of the 1st century astrologer Dorotheus of Sidon
Dorotheus of Sidon
Dorotheus of Sidon was a 1st-century Hellenistic astrologer who wrote a didactic poem on horoscopic astrology known in Greek as the Pentateuch...
and the 2nd century astrologer Claudius Ptolemy. Hephaistio is seen mainly as one of the later compilers of the Hellenistic tradition of astrology
Hellenistic astrology
Hellenistic astrology is a tradition of horoscopic astrology that was developed and practiced in Hellenistic Egypt and the Mediterranean, whose texts were written in Greek , mainly around the late 2nd or early 1st century B.C.E...
since he mainly draws from earlier astrologers, including Antiochus of Athens
Antiochus of Athens
Antiochus of Athens was an influential Hellenistic astrologer who flourished around 200 AD. There is some disagreement as to when he lived and wrote. Franz Cumont argued that he lived as early as the 1st century BC, while David Pingree placed him as late as the end of the 2nd century AD. The one...
, and he summarizes large portions of Ptolemy and Dorotheus, which is helpful to modern scholars since we have no other record of many of the authorities that he quotes.
Hephaistio's intention appears to have been to reconcile the authoritative Ptolemaic tradition with the earlier practices represented by Dorotheus of Sidon. He wrote at a time and in a place (likely Alexandria
Alexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
) when astrological ideas were being summarized and consolidated, after the removal of the capital of the Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
from Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
to Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
. His contemporaries included Paulus Alexandrinus
Paulus Alexandrinus
Paulus Alexandrinus was an astrological author from the late Roman Empire. His extant work, Eisagogika, or Introductory Matters , which was written in 378 CE, is a treatment of major topics in astrology as practiced in the fourth century Roman Empire.Little is known about Paulus' life...
(378 CE) and the anonymous author of the well-known Treatise on Fixed Stars (379 CE).
Although influential on later Byzantine astrologers, his work seems to have had little impact in the Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
tradition which followed.
The first two volumes of the Apotelesmatics have been translated into English (by Robert Schmidt of Project Hindsight); the third volume on Katarchic astrology
Katarchic astrology
Katarchic astrology is the application of horoscopic astrology to determine an auspicious moment to begin a venture or undertaking, otherwise known as electional astrology, as well as to interpret the auspiciousness of an inception that has already taken place...
(e.g., electional
Electional astrology
Electional astrology, also known as event astrology, is a branch found in most traditions of astrology in which a practitioner decides the most appropriate time for an event based on the astrological auspiciousness of that time...
) is in preparation.