Astronomy in the Old Testament Researches into the Origin of the Primitive Constellations of the Greeks, Phoenicians, and Babylonians

Abstract

WE have in these two books works of very different scientific value. Prof. Schiaparelli's little book is that of an expert astronomer who has also a remarkable knowledge of the archological evidence as to the early history of astronomy in the East. This knowledge he uses with telling effect, bringing out his points in an orderly, marshalled, logical, and therefore convincing way. He is moderate and sensible in his deductions also, and never allows himself to be carried away by that deplorable impulse to wild philological comparison and identification which has been the curse of work of this kind hitherto. He has in his English edition also had the benefit of the collaboration of the sanest and most trustworthy critics of the Old Testament, Dr. Driver and Mr. Cowley to wit, so that the reader may rest assured that in reading the book he is not groping darkly among Cheyneian cryptograms, nor need he fear that he will be haunted by the unquiet spirit of Jerahmeel. Neither the ubiquitous “Jerahmeel” nor the elusive “Musri” (see NATURE, June 26, 1902) have a place in this eminently sane and work-a-day volume, which both archæologists and astronomers will find useful. The archæologists, indeed, would only be too grateful if the astronomers would help them more than they do. The mysteries of Mahler, for instance; no unastronomical archæologist quite knows whether they are scientific gospel or not. An instance of archæological ignorance of astronomy is given on p. 68—Arcturus confounded with Arctos, and said to be a star in the Bear.

Astronomy in the Old Testament.

By Prof. G. Schiaparelli. Authorised English translation, with many corrections and additions by the author. Pp. viii + 178. (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1905.) Price 3s. 6d. net.

Researches into the Origin of the Primitive Constellations of the Greeks, Phoenicians, and Babylonians.

Vol. ii. By Robert Brown jun.. Pp. xx + 261. (London: Williams and Norgate, 1900.) Price 10s. 6d.