Astronomical Images : Personification of Mars

G. Julius Hyginus

Astronomical Images

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Ancient literary astronomical sources exerted a considerable appeal in the Renaissance and went through several editions. Regiomontanus mentioned <i>Hygini astronomia</i> in a leaflet advertisement of his intended astronomical and mathematical publications (1474), though in the event he could not carry out its publication. In fact, the <i>editio princeps</i> appeared at Ferrara in 1475. <i>Poetica astronomica </i>consists of four books: on definitions, the myths of the constellations, the number and location of the stars in the constellations, and the motions of the Sun, Moon and planets. Traditionally <i>Poetica astronomica</i> was attributed to G. Julius Hyginus, born in Spain c. 60 BC. Hyginus was made a freeman by Augustus, who later appointed him Prefect of the Bibliotheca Palatina. Each planet is shown on a chariot in this edition, with a zodiac sign marked on a wheel. Each planet was believed to 'rule' a sign of the zodiac or two. In the case of Mars here, the signs of Aries and Scorpio are shown.</p>