Astrology in Ancient Mesopotamia by Michael Baigent

Astrology in Ancient Mesopotamia by Michael Baigent

Among the many significant discoveries excavated from Assyrian king Ashurbanipal's royal library in Nineveh were tablets documenting the development of Mesopotamian astrology, now recognized as the earliest astrological science. Drawing upon translations of the Nineveh library tablets as well as many other ancient sources, Michael Baigent reveals the roots of modern astrology in the Babylonian science of omens. He explains how astrology in the Babylonian and Assyrian empires was concerned not with individuals but with the king and the state. He shows that by the first dynasty of Babylon, around 1900 to 1600 BC, astrology had become a systematic discipline, the preserve of highly trained specialists intent upon interpreting omens from the movements of planets and stars. He explores Mesopotamian mythology as it relates to the planets and to astrology as well as to Mesopotamian religion, magic, and politics--for the mythology of Babylon and Assyria served the state and thus changed as the state changed. He shows how this ancient form of astrology uniquely represents both Sun and Moon as masculine entities and Saturn (Ninurta) as the principle of order imposed on chaos. He examines the connections between ancient astrology and the symbolism of Western religions, such as how the "Greek" or "Templar" cross may symbolize the Babylonian god Nabu, now known as Mercury. Baigent reveals how the religious and magical aspects of early Babylonian cosmological speculation played a significant role in the Renaissance, influencing prominent figures such as Cosimo de Medici, Marsilio Ficino, and Botticelli.

“Bold scholarship at its best! Michael Baigent’s Astrology in Ancient Mesopotamia should honor everyone’s library” * Robert Bauval, author of Secret Chamber Revisited *
“Michael Baigent was one of the most studious yet open minded historians of modern times. Astrology in Ancient Mesopotamia stands the test of time and remains essential for every bookshelf.” * Andrew Collins, author of Göbekli Tepe: Genesis of the Gods *

Michael Baigent was born in New Zealand in 1948 and obtained a degree in psychology from Canterbury University. At one point he gave up a successful career in photojournalism to devote his time to researching the Templars for a film project. Since 1976 he has lived in England.
Richard Leigh is a novelist and short-story writer with postgraduate degrees in comparative literature and a thorough knowledge of history, philosophy, psychology, and esoterica. He has been working for some years as a university lecturer in the United States, Canada, and Britain.
Henry Lincoln is an author and filmmaker and has written for television.

From the Hardcover edition.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781591432210
ISBN 10	1591432219
Title	Astrology in Ancient Mesopotamia
Author	Michael Baigent
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Inner Traditions Bear and Company
Year published	2015-08-27
Number of pages	256
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable