Chapter I. General Division of the Subject（续 2）

The second quadrant consists of the southern division of Asia Magna. Such of its parts as are contained in India, Arriana, Gedrosia, Parthia, Media, Persia, Babylonia, Mesopotamia, and Assyria, are situated in the south-east of the whole ‘earth, and have due familiarity with the south-east triplicity (composed of Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn), and consequently with Venus, Mercury, and Saturn, in matutine figuration, The nature of the inhabitants of these countries is obedient to the dominion of these ruling influences ;

they worship Venus under the name of Isis; and they also pay devotion to Saturn, invoking him by the name of Mithranhelios. Many of them likewise foretell future events; and they consecrate to the gods some of their bodily members, to which superstition they are induced by the nature of the figuration of the planets before mentioned*. They are, moreover, hot in constitution, amorous and lustful, fond of acting, singing, and dancing, gaudy in their dresses and omaments ; owing to the influence of Venus. Saturn, however, inclines them to simplicity of conduct ; and, in consequence of the matutine figuration, they address their women publiclyt. There are also many among them who beget children by their own mothers{. The matutine figurations also influence their mode of worship, which is performed by prostration of the breast ; because the heart is the nobler part of the body, and, in its vivifying faculties, acts like the Sun. And, although the influence of Venus makes _ the people, generally speaking, finical and effeminate in their personal adornment and apparel, yet the connection which Saturn holds with them, by means of the east, still renders them great in mind, eminent in council, courageous and warlike. | oe

It is to be remarked, that Parthia, Media, and Persia, have a more particular familiarity with Taurus and Venus; whence it follows that the dwellers in those countries wear splendid garments, and clothe the whole person entirely, except the breast ; they are also fond of elegance and refinement. The

SUR CJR ne neerte eemmeneeenernen eeaceeeeneneeeneennnnnnnennns enna

* The Greek is as follows: sai ra jsopia avras ra yenihea avdlbsace was Stoic. Sere © aynpalepeos tov aspntyw? acspuy quest owtppalsxog acer. Follies, similar in their kind to these, are still practised by the Faquirs of Hindostan, and by other religious sects in Asia.

T @avepers westpeeves vac mpeg Vag yurainac CUrEC LAS.

t The author gives a singular reason for this incest: pucuce 3: vac (evveciac) weeg vec aposvag tie TETO mal OF WAMCOL GUTOD 6S THE BTEgHE

countries about Babylon, Mesopotamia, and Assyria, are connected with Virgo and Mercury; their inhabitants -are consequently studious of the sciences, atid, among other attainments, excel in making observations on the five planets. India, Arriana, andeGedrosia, are conneeted with Capricorn and Saturn; the natives of thése régions are, therefore, ill-formed in person of dirty habits, and barbarous manners.

The remaining parts of this second quadrant, viz. Idumea, Coslesyria, Judea, Phoenicia, Chaldzea, Orchynia, and Arabia Felix, occupy a situation in the vicinity of the middle of the earth, and in the north-west of the quadrant to | which they actually belong: hence they are in familiarity with the north-west triplicity (which consists of Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius), and they have for their rulers, Jupiter and Mars, together with Mercury. By means of the figuration of these planets, the natives of the said countries are skilful in trade and all mercantile affairs, heedless of danger, yet treacherous, servile, and thoroughly fickle.

The inhabitants of Ccelesyria, [Iduméea, and Judea, are principally influenced by Aries and Mars, and are generally audacious, atheistical*, and treacherous. The Phcenicians, Chaldzeans, and Orchynians, have familiarity with Leo. and the Sun, and are therefore more simple and humane in disposition ; they are also studious of astrology, and pay greater reverence than all other nations to the Sun. The people of Arabia Felix are connected with Sagittarius and Jupiter; the country is fertile, and abundantly productive of spices; and its inhabitants are well-proportioned in person, free in all their habits of life, and liberal in all their contracts and dealings.

* This epithet is remarkable, not only as being, in the opinion of a Gentile, merited by the Jews, among other nations, but also at a

period scarcely exceeding a century after their mast heinous crime had been committed, expressly under the cloak of religion.

Chap. HHI.} PTOLBMY’S THT RABIBLOS. 69 The third quadrarit oceupies the uorthern division of Asia Magna. Those several parts of it which lie to the northeast of the whole earth, and comprise Hyreania, Armenria, Mantiana, Bactriana, Caspena, Serica, Sauromatica, Oxiand, and Sogdiasta, are in familiarity with the north-east triplicity, composed of Gemini, Labra, and Aquarius, and have for their rolers Saturn and Jupiter, in matatine positions ; . hence the inhabitants worship Jupiter and the Sun*. They are abundantly rich in all things: they possess much gold, and are dainty and Juxurious in their diet. They are also learned im theology, skilled m magic, just in all their dealings, free and noble-minded, holding dishonesty and wickedness in abhorrence, strongly imbued with the softer affections of nature; and, in a worthy cause, they will even - readily embrace death to preserve their friends. They are, furthermore, chaste in marriage, elegant and splendid in their dress, charitable and beneficent, and of enlightened intellect. All these qualities are principally produced by the matutine positions of Saturn and Jupiter, who influence the region. Among these nations, however, Hyrcania, Armenia, an Mantiana, have a greater familiarity with Gemini and Mercury ; and the inhabitants are consequently more acute in apprehension, but less tenacious of their probity. The countries about Bactriana, Casperia, and Serica, are connected with Libra and Venus; and the natives are endowed with much wealth and many luxuries, and take delight in poetry and songs. The nations about Sauromatica, Oxiana, and Sogdiana, are influenced by Aquarius and Saturn ; and are therefore less polished in manners, and more austere and uncouth. The other parts of this quadrant, lying near the middle of the entire earth, consist of Bithynia, Phrygia, Colchis,

70 PTOLEMY’S TETRABIBLOS. {Book IT. Laxica, Syria, Commagene, Cappadocia, Lydia, Lycia, Cilicia, and Pamphylia. These, being situated in the southwest of their quadrant, have familiarity accordingly with the south-west triplicity, composed of Cancer, Scorpio, _and Pisces, and are ruled by Mars and Venus, together with . Mercury. In these countries Venus is principally worshipped ;- she is invoked as the. Mother of the Gods, and by various local and indigenous appellations; Mars likewise receives adoration here, under the name of Adonis, as well as by other titles* ; and some of the religious services to these deities are performed by loud lamentations. The people are servile in mind, diligent in labour, yet fraudulent, knavish, and thievish: they enter into foreign armies for — ‘the sake of hire, and. make prisoners and slaves of their own countrymen: besides which, they are continually subject to intestine broils. These traits arise from the matutine’ figurations of Mars and Venus.—It is further to be observed, that, from the circumstance of Mars receiving his exaltation in Capricorn (one of the. signs of the triplicity ruled by Venus), and Venus hers in Pisces, (a sign belonging to the _ triplicity of Mars), it thence follows that the women have strong attachments and kindly affections to their husbands,. are vigilant and careful in domestic affairs, and highly“ industrious ; they also act as servants, and labour for the men, with all due obedience, in every thing.

Bithynia, Phrygia, and Colchis, must however be excepted from sharing in this general propriety of the female character; for, as these nations are chiefly connected with Cancer and the Moon, their male population is, generally