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Kenney_and_Clausen B.M.W.(eds.) - Get a Free Blog

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41<br />

MINOR FIGURES<br />

Astrology was believed in <strong>and</strong> practised by all classes in the Late Empire. The<br />

Neoplatonist doctrine of a hierarchical universe provided an intellectual<br />

foundation for astrology which made it acceptable as a science <strong>and</strong> conferred on<br />

its practitioners new respectability <strong>and</strong> dignity. Only the Christians condemned<br />

astrology out of h<strong>and</strong>. And the frequency with which the Church Fathers repeat<br />

their denunciations of the art suggests that it had many adherents even in<br />

Christian communities. Shortly before the middle of the fourth century Julius<br />

Firmicus Maternus, a Sicilian of senatorial rank who had practised as an advocate,<br />

completed his h<strong>and</strong>book of astrology — Matheseos libri VIII. It is dedicated<br />

to Q. Flavius Maesius Egnatius Lollianus, otherwise Mavortius, comes<br />

Orientis 330—6, proconsul of Africa 334—7, Prefect of the City of Rome 342,<br />

consul 355, Praetorian Prefect 355—

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