The era of Ancient Rome was a time of grandeur, toga parties, and horoscopes. That is right! Before your weekly check-in with that trendy astrology app on your phone, the Romans were looking skyward, hoping to decipher the will of the gods.
If you ever wondered how deeply embedded astrology was in ancient cultures, buckle up. Why? Because Rome has quite the tale to share.
Astrologers were a significant part of society, guiding individuals through life’s milestones. Consulting the stars was paramount before embarking on journeys, military campaigns, or even marriages.
In many ways, astrology became a reassuring voice in an unpredictable world, a sort of ancient life coach. Though the science behind it was still budding, its cultural and psychological influence was undeniable.
Pixabay / Pexels / Back then, ancient Romans believed they got a deeper understanding of the universe, deities, and self by studying the movement of celestial bodies.
The ancient Romans did not have digital screens to binge-watch the latest series. Instead, they had the night sky, a vast, unending tapestry of twinkling stories and omens. Romans believed they could unlock a deeper understanding of the universe, their deities, and even themselves by studying the movement of celestial bodies like stars, planets, and constellations.
Think of it as the original Netflix: every night, a new episode, every pattern, a new season.
Now, Rome did not come up with astrology on its own. Like a lot of Roman culture, astrology was adopted and adapted. This cosmic craft originally stemmed from the Babylonians, who were absolute pros at celestial observation.
Carlos / Unsplash / Romans did not ‘invent’ astrology. Instead, they took inspiration from the then-pro astrologers Babylonians and altered it accordingly.
When the Romans got wind of this, especially during the late Republic and Empire periods, they embraced it wholeheartedly. They added their own flair, of course, tying it closely to their religious and socio-political lives.
Ever heard of the phrase “born under a lucky star”? The Romans took this literally. Emperors, particularly, were fans of the idea. For example, Augustus, Rome’s first emperor, claimed the constellation Capricorn as his ‘special star,’ tying his fate to its movements.
By aligning themselves with celestial bodies, emperors created a narrative of divine endorsement for their rule.
For the common Romans, astrology was not just an imperial propaganda tool. The general populace eagerly awaited the predictions and insights brought about by astrologers. There were almanacs predicting everything from agricultural yields to personal fortunes based on the positions and movements of celestial bodies.
Fderica / Pexels / Apart from the ‘pros,’ common Romans also had a deep belief in astrology.
If they wanted to know if it was a good day to ask for a raise (or perhaps a few extra denarii, they turned to the stars of astrology.
But let’s not imagine every Roman was setting their clocks by the constellations. Just like today, there were skeptics in those times too–philosophers and scientists like Cicero and Pliny the Elder criticized astrology, questioning its accuracy and the motives of its practitioners.
Still, while it had its critics, the allure and magic of astrology were too captivating for many to ignore.
