A great part of the 1st Georgic consists of astrological rules for predicting the weather, closely resembling the precepts here given by Ptolemy. Virgil is said to have adopted his doctrine from Aratus.
[110] The Division of Time is subsequently laid down by the author, in the last Chapter of the fourth Book.
[111] The words, thus marked “ ”, are not in the Greek, but in two Latin translations.
[112] It is, perhaps, needless to remark that modern improvements in science have superseded the use of this and other ancient instruments here mentioned.
[113] Although the “clepsydra,” or water-clock, was commonly used among the ancients for various purposes, it appears, from Martian (a Latin writer, who lived about a. d. 490), that there was also a clepsydra in special use as an astrological engine.
[114] “The Doctrine of Ascensions,” in allusion to the method of calculating the actual position of the ecliptic.
[115] “Phase or configuration.” Or, holding some authorized aspect to the degree in question.
[116] Or, on the ascendant.
[117] The precepts delivered in this Chapter have obtained the name of Ptolemy’s Animodar: the term is probably Arabic, if it be not a corruption of the Latin words animum, or animam, dare, “giving animation or life”; yet this meaning seems scarcely close enough.
[118] In House, Triplicity, Exaltation, Term or Face.