ABSTRACT
In de Ostentis, Lydus combatively asserted his allegiance to the astrological teachings of Ptolemy, the great second-century scientist whose writings on the heavens dominated astronomy until the Copernican revolution. “These few examples,” Lydus announced in de Ostentis, 1 “[are] in reply to those who object to signs and dare to speak against Ptolemy.” Although Justinian, like emperors before him, persecuted astrologers, 2 the sort of material in de Ostentis was not problematical from an official point of view; Lydus dedicated the work to the City Prefect, Gabriel. 3 While Lydus does not elaborate upon the identity of Ptolemy’s opponents, it is possible to situate de Ostentis within the context of contemporary discussion about the heavens. This chapter will help us understand Lydus’ defensive attitudes by considering the uncertainty at Constantinople about the status of traditional cosmologies.
