Manilius and His Intellectual Background (review)

The first monograph on the poet in English is a sympathetic introduction to Manilius, unlike Goold's Loeb. Volk laid the groundwork with The Poetics of Latin Didactic (Oxford 2002); fortunately, she has chosen to elucidate Manilius and his untrodden ways, not revisit a standard author.

Volk means to present the "big picture" in "soft focus" and concentrate on the astrological, philosophic, and poetic context. There is a recusatio: matters of style and Latinity, along with textual history and criticism, are not part of her brief. The age of Manilius is the terminus ante quem; for once, Manilius is not held to the standard of later astrology. Classics finally takes heed of Astronomy, which does not berate Galileo for slighting Neptune.

The first three chapters discuss the poet and summarize the work. In chapter 1, "The Mystery of Manilius" (1–13), Volk argues that, since the author is a mere name, questions of authorial representation are inapplicable; she can only focus on the text. Some readers will sigh with regret, others with relief. Chapter 2, "Portrait of the Universe" (14–57), assumes no background; first it sketches the development of cosmology and the "two-sphere universe," then summarizes the sky-map of Book 1, starting with the firmament and descending to earth; she concludes with "The Puzzle of the Planets I" (48–57).

Chapter 3, "The Rules of Fate" (58–126), begins with "What is Astrology and How does it Work?" (59–66). Astrology is applied astronomy; since constellations predict each other, and the seasons, a fortiori, a horoscope should predict, e.g., our death. Volk then summarizes Books 2 to 5: first how to cast a horoscope and ascertain the lifespan, then the lot of natives born under each constellation, both zodiacal and extra-zodiacal. Fate is ineluctable but not inscrutable; the heavens invite man to ascend to the stars and learn how they govern us. Few accept the invitation; astronomy is an elitist calling, but one "open to talent." Volk explains all this succinctly and accurately.

The chapter concludes with "The Puzzle of the Planets II" (116–26). The planets, given their irregular motions, are an "embarrassment" to Manilius and his proof from design (1.483–538). Planets find no place in his system, nor does he tell us what they contribute to the lifespan. There are other omissions; a horoscope cannot be cast using the Astronomica. Clearly that was not its point.

Volk's summary is not exhaustive; she often uses proof passages, even in complex algorithms. Readers navigating the Astronomica still need Goold, but with Volk in hand they will never again wonder if it's worth it. Since astrology first occurs in Book 2, it is deferred to chapter 3. Readers might want to skip around or combine her discussions of the planets.

The following chapters amount to a review article of recent research. Chapter 4, "Horoscopes and Emperors" (127–73), sketches the rise of astrology at Rome, then establishes the date of the work (137–61) and discusses Augustus' natal or emblematic sign Capricorn (called his "logo"). He could have had more than one reason, as Barton (JRS 85 [1995]) notes; Pliny HN 2.20.93–94, adduced by Ramsey and Licht (The Comet of 44 BC and Caesar's Funeral Games [Atlanta 1997] 150, n. 56), reveals the propagandistic motive. Chapter 5, "Teaching and Poetry" (174–215), places Manilius within the didactic tradition; chapter 6, "Making Sense of the World" (216–58), identifies his philosophic allegiance(s). Chapter 7, "The Universe and Us" (259–65), sums things up.

Chapters 4 through 6 are metascholarship—scholarship about scholarship about Manilius. Primary sources recede into the background; Volk appeals to the communis opinio. She sifts through divergent opinions with commendable evenhandedness, then draws her own conclusions. They are well-grounded, agree or disagree; each section ends on a high note. Still, "evidence must be weighed not counted": this writer is glad to agree with Lanson ("De Manilio poeta...