Late Antique Archaeology

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The Astrolabe

An ancient instrument for solving problems of location and distance, as well as time

Astrolábon órganon is the word used in Ptolemaeus Syntaxis 5.1 to describe a form of armillary sphere consisting of both fixed and rotating rings for determining the ecliptic co-ordinates of stars. Also called astrolabe were two-dimensional representations of the celestial sphere: over fixed disks with a representation of the horizon of the earth (in each case for a specific geographic latitude) and its parallels up to the zenith lies a rotating representation of the heavens (called ‘spider’ or ‘net’) with zodiac and indicators for some of the brightest stars. On the back is an indicator (‘alidade’) with visor plates for calculating the height of the stars. The astrolabe allows its user to determine the hours of day and night, the positions of stars, and the height and depth of objects on earth (mountains, buildings, wells). The oldest extant descriptions of the flat, planispheric astrolabe come from Iohannes Philoponus, 6th century AD, and (in Syrian) from Severus Sebokht, c. 660 AD. Indirect references may date back as early as Theon (4th cent.). Between the 8th and the 9th centuries the Arabs appropriated the knowledge of the astrolabe. At the end of the 10th century and again in the 12th century, they passed it on to Western Europe, where astrolabes were constructed up until the 17th cent. Today, one Byzantine astrolabe (from 1062) is extant, as are some 750 Arabic-Islamic astrolabes and approximately the same number of European astrolabes.

This information is abstracted from Brill's New Pauly, the English edition of the authoritative Der Neue Pauly, Encyclopaedia of the Ancient World. The encyclopaedic coverage and high academic standard of the work, the interdisciplinary and contemporary approach and clear and accessible presentation have made the New Pauly the unrivalled modern reference work for the ancient world. For more information see www.brillsnewpauly.com or visit our website catalog: www.brill.nl/bnp
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Publications & Services> Books> Book Series> Late Antique Archaeology

Late Antique Archaeology

Managing Editor: Luke Lavan

Series


ISSN:	1570-6893

Standing Order Information

Late Antique Archaeology, an annual publication, contains papers which each year systematically address a chosen theme relating to the historical reconstruction of Mediterranean society, from the accession of Diocletian (AD 283) to approximately the middle of the 7th century.
The first 3 volumes cover: 1. Theory, method and practice; 2. The countryside; 3. Social and political archaeology.
Luke Lavan is a post-doctoral researcher at the College de France, who has recently edited a supplementary volume for the Journal of Roman Archaeology 'Recent Research in Late Antique Urbanism'.

This product consists of the following titles

06. Religious Diversity in Late Antiquity
Edited by David Gwynn and Susanne Bangert
Conceived and Co-ordinated by Luke Lavan
With the Assistance of Carlos Machado and Michael Mulryan

5. Objects in Context, Objects in Use
Edited by Luke Lavan, Ellen Swift and Toon Putzeys

4. Technology in Transition A.D. 300-650
Edited by Luke Lavan, Enrico Zanini and Alexander Sarantis

3. LAA 2005: 3.1 Social and Political Life / 3.2 Housing

2. Recent Research on the Late Antique Countryside
Edited by William Bowden, Luke Lavan and Carlos Machado

1. Theory and Practice in Late Antique Archaeology
Edited by Luke Lavan and William Bowden

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