Basinius Parmensis - Astronomicon - 1455-2018

Basinius Parmensis's "Astronomicon" spans editions or references from 1455 to 2018, pointing to a text with deep historical roots and ongoing scholarly interest. The "Astronomicon" is traditionally attributed to Marcus Manilius, a Roman poet and astrologer of the early 1st century AD, though Basinius Parmensis also contributed medieval or renaissance commentaries or editions. This work is a didactic poem blending astronomy, astrology, and mythology, illustrating the cosmos' workings as understood in antiquity and the Middle Ages. Its verses explore the zodiac, celestial spheres, and the supposed influence of stars on earthly affairs, reflecting the intertwining of scientific observation and mythopoetic tradition. Renaissance humanists revived such texts as part of the rediscovery of classical knowledge, often adding copious annotations. The "Astronomicon" serves as a fascinating window into the fusion of poetry, classical science, and superstition that characterized pre-modern conceptions of the universe.