Poeticon Astronomicon

Poeticon Astronomicon

This ancient astronomy text illustrates various constellations and represents the only surviving source on many related Greek myths, even if they are only transmitted in an abridged version. It consists of various constellations, including 47 of the 48 identified by Ptolemy (100–170). Also called De Astronomica, it was attributed to the Roman historian Gaius Julius Hyginus (64 BC – AD 17), sometimes called Cayo Julio Higinio as a nod to his possible Spanish origins. A freedman of the Emperor Augustus (63 BC – AD 14), he was a prolific author, writing on subjects ranging from topography to literary commentaries to beekeeping – all of which are now lost and are known only by reference. However, numerous indications call into question whether he was actually the author of the work at hand: the crude style and elementary mistakes in Latin and Greek in particular make it seem impossible that a writer as skilled as Hyginus could be responsible for it. Nonetheless, the text represents a unique historical source.

Astronomical Woodcuts

De Astronomica is adorned with 44 marvelous woodcuts in the present incunabulum, an early printed book originating from before 1501. It was published on January 22nd, 1482 in the Venetian workshop of the famous German printer Erhard Ratdolt (1442–1528). These woodcuts show the stars overlaid on the image of each constellation, even if these bear little resemblance to their actual position in the sky or their description in the text. However, even though these engravings are not particularly useful, they possess a great degree of artistry and served as a template for subsequent, more accurate, sky atlases.