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Classical astrology in Egypt only developed after it was conquered by Alexander the Great.
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Alexandrian Egypt
After the occupation by Alexander the Great in 332BC, Egypt came under Greek rule and influence. It was in 'Alexandrian Egypt' as it was called, that Babylonian astrology was mixed with the Egyptian tradition of Decanic astrology to create Horoscopic astrology. This new system was labelled as "horoscopic astrology" because it employed the use of the ascendant, otherwise known as the horoskopos in Greek, and the twelve celestial houses which are derived from it. Its endeavour to trace the horoscope of the individual from the position of the planets and stars at the time of birth represents the most significant contribution of the Greeks to astrology. This new form of astrology quickly spread across the ancient world into Europe, the Middle East and India.
Particularly important in the development of horoscopic astrology was the astrologer and astronomer Ptolemy, who lived in Alexandria in Egypt. Ptolemy's work the Tetrabiblos laid the basis of the Western astrological tradition. Under the Greeks and Ptolemy in particular, the planets, Houses, and Signs of the zodiac were rationalized and their function set down in a way that has changed little to the present day. Ptolemy's work on astronomy was also the basis of Western teachings on the subject for the next 1,300 years.
The Zodiac
The earliest Zodiac found in Egypt dates to the first century BC, the Dendera Zodiac
According to Firmicus Maternus, the system of horoscopic astrology was given early on to an Egyptian pharaoh named Nechepso and his priest Petosiris.[1] They apparently wrote a major textbook which explicated the system and it is from this text that much of Hellenistic astrology was drawn. This system formed the basis of all later forms of Horoscopic astrology.
See also
- Petosiris to Nechepo
- Arab and Persian astrology
- Islamic astrology
- Babylonian astrology
- Islamic astronomy
- Hebrew astronomy
- Jewish views of astrology
- List of Muslim astronomers
Sources
Derek and Julia Parker, "The New Compleat Astrologer", Crescent Books, New York, 1990
References
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