Astronomicon, Book I

Leo-Aquarius, Virgo-Pisces: in the commentaries on Aratus, Maass p. 128 15–7, the same list is given under the name of antizyga (opposed pairs). Concerning the potency of this aspect there is no dispute: Censorinus, De die natali 8 10, “from the seventh zodiacal sign, which is the contrary one, comes the fullest and most powerful vision”; but about its quality there are two opinions. Firmicus, II 22 2, goes further than Manilius: “this radiation is always malignant and threatening”; and similarly Paul. Alex. D 4, “the diameter is discordant”; Ptol. Tetr. p. 9, commentary on Ptolemy p. 33, “the diameters are indicative of strife and opposition”; Porphyry, Isag. p. 186; Censorinus, Frag. 3 8 (schol. German. Breys. pp. 199 and 223), “and it is most adverse.” Hermippus I 19, on the other hand, says: “and the configurations of the stars toward one another, joined by odd numbers, are sympathetic and beneficial, and of these more so is the one by the seventh, which is also by diameter,” and so also Geminus 2 5: “those born by diameter seem to suffer together and, as one might say, to stand against one another.”

From the coupling of signs by diameters of the circle one would now naturally proceed to their coupling by other straight lines. But this theme is postponed till verse 466: the next business, says Manilius, is the ascription of the twelve signs to their twelve tutelary deities. The only imaginable reason why this matter should be treated at this point, just after the diametra, is that the gods and goddesses are so arranged in the zodiac as to form six diametrical pairs.

433–452 Each of the twelve signs has one of the twelve great gods for its guardian, a system ascribed by Diodorus II 30 to the Chaldaeans: “They say there are twelve lords of the gods in number, to each of whom they assign a month and one of the twelve so-called zodiacal signs.” The distribution is as follows:

In the case of Aries, Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Scorpius, Sagittarius, Aquarius, and Pisces, and perhaps also of Capricorn, Manilius has so chosen his words as to suggest the cause which associates the sign with the god.

The emblems of the same gods are attached to the same signs on the bas-relief surrounding the circular altar of Gabii, figured in Visconti’s Monumenti Gabini, plate VIII. Aries and the emblems on either side of him have perished, except the tail of Venus’ dove at the feet of Taurus; but Gemini have Apollo’s tripod, Cancer Mercury’s tortoise, Leo Jove’s eagle, Virgo Ceres’ basket, Libra Vulcan’s pilleus, Scorpius Mars’ wolf,