Top of page

Book/Printed Material Flowers of Abu Ma'shar. Flores Albumasaris

About this Item

Title

  • Flowers of Abu Ma'shar.

Other Title

  • Flores Albumasaris

Summary

  • Ja'far ibn Muḥammad al-Balkhī (787--886), known as Abū Ma'shar, lived in Baghdad in the 9th century. Originally an Islamic scholar of the Hadith (the prophetic traditions of Muhammad) and a contemporary of the famous philosopher al-Kindī, Abu Ma'shar developed an interest in astrology at the relatively late age of 47. He became the most important and prolific writer on astrology in the Middle Ages. His discourses incorporated and expanded upon the studies of earlier scholars of Islamic, Persian, Greek, and Mesopotamian origin. His works were translated into Latin in the 12th century and, through their wide circulation in manuscript form, had a great influence on Western scholars. This book is the first edition of Abū Ma'shar's Kitāb taḥāwīl sinī al-'ālam (also known as the Kitāb al-nukat) as rendered into Latin by the 12th century translator Johannes Hispalensis (John of Seville). The text concerns the nature of a year (or month or day), as determined by the horoscope, and was intended as a practical manual for the instruction and training of astrologers. Included in the book are numerous illustrations of the planets and constellations. The printing is by Erhard Ratdolt, a famous early printer from Augsburg, Germany who, with two compatriots, established a printing partnership in Venice in 1475.

Names

  • Abū Ma'shar, 787-886 Author.
  • Joannes, Hispalensis, flourished 1120-1153 Translator.

Created / Published

  • Augsburg, Germany : Erhard Ratdolt, 1488.

Headings

  • -  Iraq--Baghdad--Baghdad
  • -  835 to 1488

Notes

  • -  Title devised, in English, by Library staff.
  • -  "Known as Flores astrologiae."--Note extracted from World Digital Library.
  • -  Original resource extent: 20 leaves (the last blank); woodcuts: illustrated; 20 centimeters.
  • -  Original resource at: Qatar National Library.
  • -  Content in Latin.
  • -  Description based on data extracted from World Digital Library, which may be extracted from partner institutions.

Medium

  • 1 online resource.

Digital Id

Library of Congress Control Number

  • 2021666124

Online Format

  • compressed data
  • pdf
  • image

Additional Metadata Formats

IIIF Presentation Manifest

Rights & Access

The Library of Congress is unaware of any copyright or other restrictions in the World Digital Library Collection. Absent any such restrictions, these materials are free to use and reuse. Researchers are encouraged to review the source information attached to each item. For information on contacting WDL partner organizations, see this archived list of partners

The Library asks that researchers approach the materials in this collection with respect for the culture and sensibilities of the people whose lives, ideas, and creativity are documented here.

Credit Line: [Original Source citation], World Digital Library

More about Copyright and other Restrictions

For additional information and contact information for many of the partner organizations, see this archived capture of the World Digital Library site from 2021.

For guidance about compiling full citations consult Citing Primary Sources.

Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

Abū Ma'Shar, 787-886 Author, and Hispalensis Joannes. Flowers of Abu Ma'shar. Augsburg, Germany: Erhard Ratdolt, 1488. Pdf. https://www.loc.gov/item/2021666124/.

APA citation style:

Abū Ma'Shar, 7. A. & Joannes, H. (1488) Flowers of Abu Ma'shar. Augsburg, Germany: Erhard Ratdolt. [Pdf] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2021666124/.

MLA citation style:

Abū Ma'Shar, 787-886 Author, and Hispalensis Joannes. Flowers of Abu Ma'shar. Augsburg, Germany: Erhard Ratdolt, 1488. Pdf. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2021666124/>.