Source edition
Lucian, Vol. 5. Harmon, Austin Morris, editor. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1936 (printing).
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a treatise that traces the ancient origins of astrology and defends its spiritual and practical value. The author begins by explaining how Eastern peoples, such as the Ethiopians, Egyptians, and Babylonians, first observed the celestial bodies and developed astrological systems like the zodiac. The narrative then shifts to Greece, where the author rationalizes various Greek myths—including those of Orpheus, Atreus, Phaethon, and Endymion—by reinterpreting them as allegories for astronomical and astrological phenomena. Finally, the work addresses the contemporary skeptics who dismiss astrology as impossible or useless. By highlighting the ancient reliance on oracles and demonstrating the real influence of the stars, the author concludes with a robust defense of astrology's utility and validity in human life.