M. Bouche-Leclercq's U Astrologie Grecque, Paris, 1899. But it may

be said here that the astrologers of the early centuries made their pre- dictions from a " theme," or geniture, which was in effect a map of the heavens at the moment of birth, and showed the ecliptic or sun's path through the zodiacal signs divided into twelve "houses," to each of which a certain significance was attached. The foundation of this was the horoscope or sign rising above the horizon at the birth, from which they were able to calculate the other three cardinal points given above, the cadent houses being those four which go just before the cardinal points and the four succeedents those which follow after them. The places of the planets, including in that term the sun and moon, in the ecliptic were then calculated and their symbols placed in the houses indicated. From this figure the judgment or prediction was made, but a great mass of absurd and contradictory tradition existed as to the influence of the planets on the life, fortune, and disposition of the native, which was supposed to depend largely on their places in the theme both in relation to the earth and to each other.
1 Bouche-Leclercq, op. cz't., p. 206, rightly defines these terms as fractions of signs separated by internal boundaries and distributed in each sign among the five planets. Cf. J. Firmicus Maternus, Mathescos, II, 6, and Cicero, De Divinatione, 40. Wilson, op. cit., s.h.v., says they are certain degrees in a sign, supposed to possess the power of altering the nature of a planet to that of the planet in the term of which it is posited. All the authors quoted say that the astrologers could not agree upon the extent or position of the various " terms," and that in particular the "Chaldoeans" and the "Egyptians" were hopelessly at variance upon the point.
2 In the translation I have distinguished Miller's additions to the text from Sextus Empiricus' by enclosing them in square brackets, reserving the round brackets for my own additions from the same source, which I have purposely made as few as possible. So with other alterations.
DIVINERS AND MAGICIANS 69
tables]. But they say that the stars are guarded1 [when they are midway between two other stars] in zodiacal succession. For instance, if [a certain star should occupy the first part] of a zodiacal sign and another [the last parts, and a third those of the middle, the one in the middle is said to be guarded] by those occupying the parts at the extremities. [And they say that the stars behold one another and are in accord with one another] when they appear triangularly or quadrangularly. Now those form a triangular figure 2 and behold one another which have an interval of p. 54. three zodiacal signs between them and a square those which have one of two signs. . . .
( 3 Such then seems to be the character of the Chaldsean method. And in that which has been handed down it remains easy to understand and follow the contradictions noted. And some indeed try to teach a rougher way as if earthly things have no sympathy 4 at all with the heavenly ones. For thus they say, that the ambient 5 is not united as is the human body, so that according to the condition) of the head the lower parts [suffer with it and the head with the lower] parts, and earthly things should suffer along with those above the moon. But there is a certain difference and want of sympathy between them as they have not one and [the] same unity.
2. Making use of these statements, Euphrates the Peratic and Akembes the Carystian 6 and the rest of the band of these people, miscalling the word of Truth, declare that there is a war of aeons and a falling-away of good powers to
1 8opv opela6ai, lit., "have spear-bearers." "Stars" in Sextus Empiricus nearly always means planet?.
2 This is the famous "trine" figure or aspect of modern astrologers. Its influence is supposed to be good ; that of the square next described, the reverse.
3 Hippolytus here omits a long disquisition by Sextus on the position of the planets and the Chaldrean system. Where the text resumes the quotation it is in such a way as to alter the sense completely ; wherefore I have restored the sentence preceding from Sextus.
4 ao/jL-rrda-xei, " suffer with."
5 rb irepiexov. The term used by astrologers to denote the whole X'ther surrounding the stars or, in other words, the whole disposition of the heavens. " Ambient " is its equivalent in modern astrology.
6 This is an anticipation of the Peratic heresy to which a chapter in