Hephaestion of Thebes was a Greco-Egyptian astrologer active around 380 CE during the reign of the emperor Arcadius. He originated from Thebes in Egypt, a noted centre for astrological study in late antiquity.
His major work is the Apotelesmatika, a comprehensive astrological compendium that survives in full. A shorter epitome of this text also exists. The Apotelesmatika is a systematic synthesis of earlier Hellenistic doctrine, drawing on authorities like Ptolemy and Dorotheus of Sidon. It covers natal, catarchic, and interrogational astrology.
The work is the conduit through which Greek astrological knowledge was preserved. It transmitted this knowledge into the Byzantine and medieval Arabic traditions and provides a detailed view of late antique astrological practice.
Available Works
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