Abu Ma sar: The Abbreviation of the Introduction to Astrology, Together with the Medieval Latin Translation of Adelard of Bath.

• Author: Bos, Gerrit

The works of the ninth-century Arab astrologer Abu Ma shar (Albumasar) enjoyed great popularity and were very influential in medieval Western Europe because of and through their Latin translations. Their influence extended even to the field of medicine. For instance, the most popular medieval explanation for epidemics was that promulgated by Abu Ma shar, namely, the theory of the great conjunctions. According to this theory, particular planetary conjunctions cause major political and natural disasters. One of the major disasters to which this theory was applied by fourteenth-century physicians was that of the Black Death.

Abu Ma shar's major astrological work is his still unedited Great Introduction to Astrology, which was translated twice into Latin in the twelfth century and was consulted by many of his colleagues. It was the primary source for al-Biruni's Tafhim, a popular eleventh-century summary of astrology. One of Abu Ma shar's minor works is The Abbreviation of the Introduction to Astrology, which is an abridgement of his Great Introduction for the convenience of the reader, and which was influential through the Latin translation made by Adelard of Bath in the twelfth century. The Abbreviation consists of seven chapters familiarizing the reader with major aspects of medieval astrology, such as the signs of the zodiac, their nature, conditions, and indications; the planets, their conditions, natures, good and bad fortunes; the Lords of the days and hours; and the lots.

The present critical edition of The Abbreviation consists of the Arabic text, based on MS British Library, Oriental and India Office Collections, Add. 7490; an English translation of the Arabic text with explanatory notes; the Latin translation by Adelard of Bath and an English translation of the Latin text with notes; a collation of The Abbreviation with the Great Introduction and with al-Biruni's Tafhim; and a glossary of technical terms and indices. The editors have thus enlightened us about the immediate source of The Abbreviation, and its influence in Islamic circles as well as in the West. They have admirably succeeded in their goal of enriching our knowledge of medieval astrology.

Some remarks concerning the text itself:

P. 12, 1. 11. The problematic reading al-huqq al-kulli (the entire cavity [of the universe]) should be emended to al-jaww al-kulli (the entire atmosphere). This last reading is confirmed by that of MS Paris, as provided in the appendix (p. 84...