Astronomy During the Roman Imperial Period and Late Antiquity

Abstract

The period between Hipparchus and Ptolemy probably saw a great deal of astronomical activity, directed at the computation of lunar and planetary positions. The period of ingenious mathematical models of the Eudoxan type and of “pythagorean” speculations definitely came to a close while the enormous spread of astrological practices created an ever increasing need for numerical tables. Even today the scattered fragments of papyri clearly reflect this process (cf. for horoscopes Fig. 1 and for tables the chronological list below). On the other hand Ptolemy does not quote a single observation from the two centuries between Hipparchus and Menelaus (cf. V B 1 Fig. 16, p. 1375). It seems as if no serious theoretical progress was made during this period, except, of course, the creation of spherical trigonometry by Menelaus and, to a lesser degree, the mathematical geography of Marinus.¹ Two other names on our list, Vitruvius and Heron, can be associated with competent theoretical discussions on spherical astronomy ² but this hardly reflects progressive work of their own.

Nous avons la ferme persuasion de n’avoir rien omis qui puisse avoir la moindre importance

Conclusion of Delambre, Histoire de l’Astronomie Ancienne, 1817 (Vol. II, p. 639)