Time and the Calendar in Babylonian Astrology
5 Bancroft Ave., Earth Sciences Ctr. auditorium B142
Time: Mar 8th, 7:00 pm End: Mar 8th, 8:00 pm
Interest Categories: Religion, Study of (FAS), Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations (FAS), Jewish Studies, Islamic Studies, History (FAS), History & Philosophy of Science & Technology (FAS), Historical Studies (UTM), Historical and Cultural Studies (UTSC), Classics (FAS), before 400 BCE, 400-1 BCE
Public Lecture by John M. Steele, Brown University
The Canadian Society for Mesopotamian Studies La Société canadienne des études mésopotamiennes c/o RIM Project, University of Toronto 4 Bancroft Avenue, 4th Floor, Toronto, Canada M5S 1C1 T: 416-978-4531, F: 416-978-3305, csms@chass.utoronto.ca www.chass.utoronto.ca/csms
This free public lecture is sponsored jointly by the Jackman Humanities Institute, the Department of Nearand Middle Eastern Civilizations, the Canadian Society for Mesopotamian Studies, and the Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology.
Time and the Calendar in Babylonian Astrology
Professor John Steele Chair, Department of Egyptology and Assyriology, Brown University
It is no surprise that time played a central role in Babylonian astronomy: the beginning of the new month was determined by the visibility of the new moon crescent; schemes were developed for the length of a shadow cast by a gnomon at different times of day; and eclipses and other celestial events were times by means of water clocks or observations of the stars. But time also played a major role in Babylonian astrology. For example, the date and time of birth of an individual formed the basis of a horoscope which could be used to predict his or her life and, perhaps more surprisingly, the day in the year could be used to determine the medical remedy given to a sick patient. In this talk I will examine some of the ways that time was used to interpret the present and predict the future in Babylonia.
Wednesday, 8 March 2017, 7:00 pm Earth Sciences Auditorium B142, 5 Bancroft Avenue, University of Toronto, St. George Campus
Accessible entrance and washrooms are available. If you have an accommodation need please contact CSMS and we will do our best to make appropriate arrangements.
This lecture is free and open to all. Registration is not required.
This lecture is part of a series. For more information on other events featuring John M. Steele, see the events flyer below.
