Astronomical Texts

This late medieval astronomical compendium is based, among others, on the ancient work *De Astronomia* by Hyginus, a successor to Aratus of Soloi
The texts are accompanied by diagrams and tables, including schematic representations of a quadrant and an astrolabe, as well as a lunary
44 finely coloured pen-and-ink drawings illustrate the constellations, with the individual stars highlighted as shiny, golden circles

Astronomical Texts

Ms. Lat. Oct. 44 Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin (Berlin, Germany)

Description

Astronomical Texts

The manuscript at hand is a compendium of various astronomical treatises, tables, and illustrations, and the work of an unknown 15th century author. The manuscript, which is housed today in the State Library of Berlin, was probably made in Western or Central Europe. The gorgeous illustrations–44 colored pen-and-ink drawings in all–with pictures of the constellations and other astronomical Phenomena, demonstrate the great skill with which the manuscript was made. Thus, the astronomical text offers a marvelous glimpse of this science, which has continuously delighted both scholars and laymen since antiquity!

Astronomical Texts

The codex known as Lat. Oct. 44 in the State Library in Berlin consists of 24 pages in a handy format of 15.5 x 11 cm. This manuscript with the title Planetarum et Asteriscorum Coeli figurae et Virtutes Astronomicae is a compendium of astronomical texts along with visual décor. This treatise, probably a 15th century French manuscript, delights with its sound knowledge, which indicates a well-educated author. The unknown writer of the Astronomical Texts of the State Library of Berlin was probably a man who was well-versed in the knowledge of astronomy and astrology as well as the practical application thereof.

Magnificent Artistic Furnishings

44 wonderful representations of the constellations illustrate the manuscript. The marvelous, brightly-colored pen drawings present star signs and symbols, mythical figures, but also depictions that arose from the time. Meanwhile, the individual stars are highlighted as shiny, golden circles. Mysterious tables and diagrams round out the manuscript, e.g. the twelve zodiac signs and their corresponding effects. A table lists the names of the planets in Hebrew, Greek, and Arabic—a helpful reference for multilingual readers and a subtle reminder of the diverse, transcultural sources of knowledge of medieval astronomy. A lunary, descriptions of the star signs of the Ptolemaic celestial charts and a description of the celestial and meteorological phenomena in the course of the twelve months of a year are also contained therein along with an astrolabe.

The Famous Aratea

The main section is an adaptation of the third book of Hyginus’ (c. 60 B.C.–after A.D. 4) De astronomia or Poetica astronomica. Composed at the end of the 1st century BCE, the work incorporates, among other sources, the famous Phainomena by Aratus of Soloi (c. 310 BCE–245 BCE) and was already widely cited by Isidore of Seville (c. 560–636). Hyginus’s text describes the constellations and the number and positions of the stars within them with great precision. This precision was no longer of great importance to the compiler of the late medieval adaptation and its accompanying illustrations. Instead, priority seemed to be given here to the fact that the positions of the individual stars form the shapes after which the constellations are named. The Berlin manuscript thus combines an artistic approach with centuries-old knowledge of the celestial bodies.

Codicology

Alternative Titles: Textos Astronómicos
Recopilación de textos astronómicos
Astronomische Texte
Textes astronomique
Testi di Astronomia
Berlin Hyginus
Type: Manuscript on parchment
Size / Format: 24 pages / 15.5 × 11.0 cm
Origin: France
Date: 15th century
Epochs: Late Middle Ages Onwards
Style: Gothic
Genre: Astronomy / Astrology
Language: Latin
Script: Cursive
Illustrations: 44 representations of the constellations
Content: Compilation of short astronomical texts, diagrams, tables, and schematic drawings, including an adaptation of Hyginus' de astronomia, book III

Available facsimile editions:

Detail Picture

Astronomical Texts

Perseus

Mythical characters are presented in this manuscript in addition to the signs of the zodiac. Although dressed in the style of 14th century France, the famous Greek hero Perseus is automatically identifiable by the sword and severed head that he holds in his respective hands. The head belongs of course to Medusa the Gorgon, whose gaze would turn her victims into stone. She was slain by Perseus at the bidding of King Polydectes, who coveted his mother Danaë and wanted to get rid of her son.

Single Page

Astronomical Texts

Libra, Sagittarius, Capricorn, and Scorpio

The zodiac symbols for the last four months of the year are presented here clockwise from the upper left along with the names of their corresponding months and explanatory texts: Libra, Sagittarius, Capricorn, and Scorpio. This group of zodiac symbols occupies the astrological calendar between the September equinox and the December solstice, when the shortest day of the year occurs.

These relatively simple drawings are likely based on earlier templates, perhaps even a Carolingian manuscript that was in turn modelled on a work from Late Antiquity. Each is drawn with red and black ink with the stars, which do not accurately depict the actual constellations, depicted using round dots of gold leaf.