About the author
Roger Beck is a classicist and historian of religion, professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, known for his scholarship on the cult of Mithras and on ancient astrology. His Brief History of Ancient Astrology, published by Wiley-Blackwell, traces the theory and practice of astrology from Babylon through ancient Greece and Rome, examining its cultural and political influence on the societies that practiced it and its early, later-severed connection to astronomy. The book is written as an academic introduction to the subject, aimed at students and general readers seeking a historically grounded account of how astrology developed rather than a guide to its practice. Beck situates ancient astrology within its intellectual context, distinguishing the ancient relationship between astrology and astronomy from the modern separation of the two into distinct fields of science and belief.
📖 Where to start with Roger Beck
💬 What our editors say about Roger Beck's books
“Roger Beck delivers a meticulously traced evolution of astrological theory, offering a fresh perspective on this ancient art. It is an essential resource for understanding the foundational eras of celestial interpretation and its…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Brief History of Ancient Astrology Beck, Roger
“Beck’s volume serves as a compelling bridge between technical celestial study and cultural history, effectively peeling back layers of ancient star lore. While it successfully demystifies the fixed sphere and offers authentic…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Brief Hist of Astrology C Beck, Roger
