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Vettius Valens was a Hellenistic astrologer, active in the 2nd century CE. He is best known for his nine-book astrological treatise, the Anthology, which was a major source for the later astrological tradition.
Valens was born in the city of Antioch, in Syria. He was a student of the astrologer Thrasyllus and was trained in a variety of astrological techniques. He traveled widely, gathering information and learning from other astrologers. Valens wrote the Anthology, the only surviving work of his, around 165 CE. It contained descriptions of the various astrological systems and techniques he had collected, as well as his own interpretations and commentary.
He described the zodiac, the planets, and their relationships. He also discussed the use of astrology for forecasting, including predictions of earthquakes and other natural disasters. The Anthology was widely used in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. It was a major source for later astrologers such as William Lilly and Johannes Kepler. Valens also influenced the development of astrology in the Islamic world. Valens died around 175 CE. His influence on astrology and his impact on later generations of astrologers is still felt today.
Joëlle-Frédérique Bara, Anthologies Livre I: Establissement, Traduction Et Commentaire, Brill, Leiden, 1989 ➤
Vettius Valens, The Anthology, trans. Mark T. Riley, online, December, 2010 ➤
BNF: Grec 1232 A ➤
Riley, Mark, A Survey of Vettius Valens, 1996, published online ➤
The logic of planetary combination in Vettius Valens ➤
