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Document Details :

Title: The Samaritans and Astrology
Author(s): POWELS-NIAMI, Sylvia
Journal: Ancient Near Eastern Studies
Volume: 33    Date: 1995   
Pages: 74-95
DOI: 10.2143/ANES.33.0.525751

Abstract :
Speaking of astrology in connection with the Samaritans seems at first sight rather strange. Astrological practices within a community, which is well-known for its strictly observing of religious law, sounds more than obscure.
On the other hand it has been proved that the Samaritans adopted astronomical texts from Arab sources. In particular their calculation of the new moon is based on the astronomical tables of the 9th century Arob astronomers Al-Battānī and Al-Khwārizmī. But these two authors are by far not the only sources adopted and interpreted by the Samaritans. There is a number of manuscripts containing astrological material.

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