Astrology at the court of Matthias Corvinus
Astrology at the court of Matthias Corvinus
Author(s): Áron OrbánSubject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Studies of Literature
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: Matthias Corvinus; János Vitéz; Regiomontanus; Marcin Bylica; history of astrology and astronomy; horoscope; iudicium; humanist literature
Summary/Abstract: Though astrology played an essential role at the court of Matthias Corvinus, king of Hungary (1458–1490), it has been a largely neglected field of scholarship. This article provides a general overwiew of the issue, investigates the relations between astronomers /astrologers or humanists, the related primary sources and branches of astrology pursued at the court, and analyses some exemplary horoscopes. The investigation is based on a great variety of sources (including literary and visual artworks): poems for the king, chronicles, various horoscopes and iudicia. The most popular branches of astrology seem to be natal and catarchic astrology. Astrology was applied for various purposes: to forecast one’s fortune in general, to forecast political and military events, to support institute foundations. Royal patronage and political propaganda played a great role in the importance of this discipline. Even taking into account the popularity of astrology in Europe, the king’s personal predilection for the stars seems to have been remarkably strong.
Journal: TERMINUS
- Issue Year: 17/2015
- Issue No: 1 (34)
- Page Range: 113-146
- Page Count: 34
- Language: English