Geminos’s Introduction to the Phaenomena: A Translation and Study of a Hellenistic Survey of Astronomy (review)

James Evans and J. Lennart Berggren have produced a very welcome volume on Geminos’ Introduction to the Phaenomena (Eisagōgē eis ta phainomena). The Introduction is an important text that contributes greatly to our understanding of ancient astronomy. For example, Geminos offers valuable information on Babylonian astronomy not discussed in other ancient Greek works. As Evans and Berggren note, “Geminos provides a vivid impression of an educated Greek’s view of the cosmos and astronomy around the beginning of our era” (1). Geminos is often referred to as being from Rhodes, but Evans and Berggren note that the evidence to support this is not conclusive. And, while modern scholars have suggested various dates for Geminos’ life, Evans and Berggren argue for a date of composition of the Introduction to the period 90–35 b.c.e.

In its time, the Eisagōgē could have served dual functions: as an elementary text on astronomy for those wishing only some basic understanding of the subject, or as an introduction for those intending further study. Evans and Berggren have produced a volume that may itself serve as an introduction to ancient Greek astronomy; the book will become a classic in the field. The volume is designed to serve several possible audiences, including scholars and students in a number of disciplines, such as history of science, as well as classics. Those wishing detailed explanations and commentary to accompany this first complete English translation of Geminos’ work will appreciate the sound scholarship, while those desiring an overview of the topic will find this an excellent place to begin, for the book contains a wealth of material useful for the study of the subject.

In addition to Geminos’ Introduction, Evans and Berggren translate the (star calendar) that accompanies the Geminos manuscripts, as well as two additional fragments, one on the classification of the mathematical sciences, the other on the relationship of astronomy to physics. Evans and Berggren provide a very useful historical introduction that also addresses various elements of the technical background to the text, a commentary, textual notes, an appendix dealing with the Geminos parapegma, a glossary of technical terms, and an Index of Persons Mentioned by Geminos. The text Evans and Berggren have produced is impressive, and particularly commendable for the clear English translation, the authoritative scholarly apparatus, and commentary. Evans and Berggren helpfully signal to readers that they may skip—with a clear conscience—some of the more technical portions of the Introduction (for example, sections 11 on Heliacal Risings and Settings, 12 on Astronomical Applications of Arithmetic Progressions, and 13 on Lunar and Luni-Solar Cycles) and return to them later if desired.

Several additional features of the book deserve special mention. Geminos was very knowledgeable about the material culture of astronomy; he provides valuable information about astronomical instruments and models (as when, for example, he mentions that most celestial globes did not depict the Milky Way [V 69]). Not content to focus only on the text and on theoretical issues of astronomy, Evans and Berggren have provided valuable discussions and illustrations of the relevant ancient instruments and tools, and the ways in which they were used in the practice of astronomy. Somewhat related to this is the very welcome inclusion of diagrams from the manuscript tradition; unusually, Evans and Berggren have addressed the status of the diagrams in printed texts of Geminos as well as those found in manuscripts. They recognize that diagrams have a history, too, which cannot be ignored or taken for granted.

In the past, Geminos has sometimes been labelled as a Stoic, but Evans and Berggren demonstrate that Geminos’ text does not particularly engage with philosophy. On the other hand, they note, Geminos displayed his literary knowledge, quoting poets, including Homer and Aratus, to illustrate his discussion, as well as Crates of Mallus, “the grammarian” (whose interests...