Celestial Inclinations

"Celestial Inclinations: A Life of Augustus provides a new perspective on the life and career of the first Roman emperor Augustus (63 B.C.-A.D. 14) and presents the case that Augustus used his knowledge of the celestial sphere in various ways to confirm for himself and convey to others that the heavens supported his activities on earth and his inevitable greatness. The book is based on fresh assessments of relevant ancient historical, literary, astronomical, astrological, and artistic sources for the years prior to and during the life of Augustus. The book combines these sources with astronomical sky maps and astrological diagrams to offer fresh interpretations of critical events in the life of Augustus at a time when the celestial sphere had come to play an important cultural and political role. Topics include the identification of the celestial object that appeared at the ludi in honor of Caesar in 44 B.C.; the Battle of Actium; the iconography of the Tellus Relief Panel on the Ara Pacis Augustae; the Ludi Saeculares; Augustus' major building projects in Rome; and Augustus' interactions with major figures of the period such as Cicero, Caesar, Agrippa, and Antonius"--

Marsilio Ficino's Platonic evangelising was eminently successful and widely influential. His 'Platonic Theology' is one of the keys to understanding the art, thought, culture, and spirituality of the Renaissance.

CONTENTS Paul J.J.M BakkerIntroduction Cristina CeramiL’éternel par soi Jean-Baptiste BrenetAlexandre d’Aphrodise ou le matérialiste malgré lui Dag Nikolaus HasseAverroes’ Critique of Ptolemy and Its Reception by John of Jandun andAgostino Nifo Silvia DonatiIs Celestial Motion a Natural Motion? Cecilia TrifogliThe Reception of Averroes’ View on Motion in the Latin West Edith Dudley SyllaAverroes and Fourteenth-Century Theories of Alteration Craig MartinProvidence and Seventeenth-Century Attacks on Averroes Bibliography Index Codicum Manu ScriptorumIndex Nominum

Humanist prejudice famously made medieval angelology the paradigm of ludicrous speculation with its caricature of “How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?” The truth is quite the opposite: many of medieval philosophy’s most original and ingenious contributions actually came to light in discussions of angelology. In fact, angelology provided an ideal context for discussing issues such as the structure of the universe, the metaphysical texture of creatures (e.g. esse-essentia composition and the principle of individuation), and theories of time, knowledge, freedom, and linguistics—issues which, for the most part, are still highly relevant for contemporary philosophy. Because this specifically philosophical interest in angels developed mainly during the course of the thirteenth and early fourteenth century, this volume centers on the period from Bonaventure to Ockham. It also, however, discusses some original positions by earlier thinkers such as Augustine and Anselm of Canterbury. Its nine thorough studies bring to light some neglected but highly fascinating aspects of medieval philosophy, thus filling an important gap in the literature. Contributors include: Richard Cross, Gregory T. Doolan, H.J.M.J. Goris, Tobias Hoffmann, Peter King, Timothy B. Noone, Giorgio Pini, Bernd Roling, and John F. Wippel.

The Venerable Mahathera Ledi Sayadaw wrote this manual in reply to a layperson requesting guidance in developing insight, clarification of doctrinal aspects, and how to advance from being a blind worldling to a wise and virtuous person, i.e. one who has the eye of knowledge. In clear, concise, vivid language the author explains the perfections, seven aspects of the five aggregates to be perceived, the true peace of Nibbana, how to be mindful while doing a meritorious deed, practicing the three refuges, the four types of Buddhists, and understanding the Four Noble Truths and Dependent Origination. Finally, an exhortation regarding great opportunities: human rebirth, meeting the Buddha, becoming a bhikkhu, having confidence, and hearing the Dhamma.