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Document Details :

Title: Un traité cosmologique byzantin inédit
Subtitle: Harleianus 5624, ff. 283r-284v
Author(s): BAUDRY, Catherine
Journal: Byzantion
Volume: 84    Date: 2014   
Pages: 1-32
DOI: 10.2143/BYZ.84.0.3049172

Abstract :
Folios 283-284 of manuscript Harleianus 5624 (14th–15th c.) are of particular interest because they deal with unusual astronomical and cosmological concepts. Among those the most surprising is the presence of a snake-shaped star in the ninth starless (ἄναστρος) sphere. This snake causes earthly evils when it performs certain actions, like the legendary dragon that surveys the world. Besides the date of the text, an interesting question is why such concepts persisted in Byzantium during the 14th and 15th centuries.

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