secondly, it uses, and in some cases invents, Latin astrological terminology. Firmicus strives
to make technical, sometimes eastern, material available to Romans (Math. 4.pr.5; 5.pr.6).
His work purports to mirror the celestial system it describes, seven books symbolizing the
seven planets (Math. 8.33.1).
The Mathesis illustrates the eclectic, but above all Platonic and Stoic, philosophical
orientation of the 4th c. intelligentsia. Firmicus invokes the Stoic concept of sumpatheia
at Math. 1.5.10–12, 3.pr.2–4 (Barton, Power and Knowledge 90). Firmicus’ work also contains
Neo-Platonic elements (Hoheisel 523): he describes astrology in terms of a mystery
religion (Math. 1.6, 2.30.13–15, 7.1.1), and cites O, P, P, and
P (Math. 7.1.1). Scholars have differed as to the strength of his Neo-Platonism
(e.g. Bram 312, n. 79; Barton, Power and Knowledge 172). Firmicus cites a plethora of sources,
some quasi-mythical, some accessible (e.g. Math. 2.29.2, D S). M,
although not cited, is certainly among Firmicus’ sources (Housman –; G.P.
Goold, ed., Manilius, Astronomica [1977] , –).
The Mathesis was printed early (editio princeps: Bivilaqua, Venice 1497), and “sparked the
astrological enthusiasm of the Renaissance” (Bram 4). As well as being associated with
astrological works such as Ptolemy’s Tetrabiblos or Manilius’ Astronomica (in the edition of
Pruckner, Basel 1551, for example), the Mathesis was sometimes printed alongside A
and his Roman translators (e.g. in the Aldus edition, Venice 1499), together with whom he
furnishes an accessible picture of celestial geography, and the predictive value of the stars
as set out by divine providence; these are the concepts that underlie Firmicus’ astrology.
Ed./Trans.: P. Monat, Firmicus Maternus: Mathesis, 3 vv. (CUF 1992, 1994, 1997); W. Kroll and
F. Skutsch, Iulii Firmici Materni Matheseos Libri VIII, 2 vv. (1897 and 1913, repr. 1968); Bram.
A.E. Housman, ed., M. Manilii Astronomicon V (1937); PLRE 1 (1971) 567–568; DSB 4.621–622,
W.H. Stahl; KP 2.554, E. Berneker; F. Fontanella, “A proposito di Manilio e Firmico,” Prometheus 17
(1991) 75–92; T.S. Barton, Ancient Astrology (1994); T.S. Barton, Power and Knowledge: Astrology, Physiog-
nomics and Medicine under the Roman Empire (1994); OCD3 598, D.S. Potter; BNP 5 (2004) 434–435,
K. Hoheisel; J.-H. Abry, “Manilius et Julius Firmicus Maternus,” in N. Blanc and A. Buisson, edd.,
Imago Antiquitatis: Religions et iconographie du monde romaine; Mélanges offerts à Robert Turcan (1999) 35–45.
Emma Gee
Firmius (50 BCE – 75 CE)
Roman author of a treatise on gardening (Kepourika) used by P (1.ind.19). C
(10.1.1) suggests that Roman horticultural writers did not predate the age of A.
RE 6.2 (1909) 2382 (#3), A. Stein.
Philip Thibodeau
Flauianus of Crete (60 BCE – 80 CE)
A, in G, CMLoc 7.3 (13.72–73 K.), records his cough-drop for the
tubercular: poppy juice, henbane seed, mandrake pith, white and black pepper, anise, etc.,
in honey. The use of a Roman cognomen on Crete provides the terminus post; he was probably
a Flavian-era freedman.
Fabricius (1726) 158, s.v. Fabianus.
PTK
FLAUIANUS OF CRETE