Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Astrological treatises

Belgium, Bruges, early 15th century, in or before 1403

MS M.785 fol. 20r

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Third Decanus of Libra in three zones:

1) Sphaera Persica:

Dragon's tail, inscribed CAUDA DRACONIS (Constellation: Draco); stern of ship, inscribed PUPPIS NAUIS (Constellation: Argo Navis); hindquarters of horse, inscribed VLTIMA CENTAURI (Constellation: Centaurus); hindquarters of bear, inscribed COXA ET CAUDA URSE MAIORIS (Constellation: Ursa Major); nude man, inscribed ARBEDIUS NOMINE, beside crown, inscribed CORONA ARBEDII (Astrological Sign: Arbedius); two men, one wearing hood, embracing, inscribed ESTUARIUS (Astrological Sign: unidentified); cloud, inscribed CELUM (Astrological Sign: unidentified).

1) Sphaera Indica:

Donkey-headed man, inscribed VIR EQUINI VULTUS PERIT VENATUM, with quiver of arrows at waist, aiming bow and arrow toward stag, inscribed CERUUS (Astrological Sign: Hybrid Figure, and Scene, Sports and Games: Hunting, Deer).

3) Sphaera Graeca:

Dragon's tail, inscribed PARS CAUDE DRACONIS (Constellation: Draco); Arcas, inscribed MEDIETAS ARCHADIS, headless, only right half of figure shown (Constellation: Ursa Minor ?); hindquarters of horse, inscribed COXA CENTAURI (Constellation: Centaurus); bust and left arms of Virgo, inscribed MEDIETAS UIRGINIS (Constellation: Virgo); wolf, inscribed LUPUS (Constellation: Lupus).