Censorinus

Censorinus

Censorinus was a Roman grammarian and writer who flourished during the 3rd century AD. He is best known for his work De Die Natali (On the Natal Day), which is a treatise on the subject of birthdays and related topics. This work provides valuable insights into Roman culture, astronomy, and the calendar system of the time.

Biography

Little is known about the life of Censorinus. He is believed to have lived during the reign of the Roman Emperor Gordian III, around 238 AD. His work suggests that he was well-educated and had a deep interest in various scientific and cultural topics.

De Die Natali

De Die Natali is the only surviving work attributed to Censorinus. It was written as a birthday gift for a patron named Quintus Caerellius. The treatise covers a wide range of topics, including:

• The significance of birthdays in Roman culture.
• The calculation of time and the calendar.
• The influence of the stars and planets on human life.
• The physiology of human development and aging.

Structure

The work is divided into several sections, each dealing with different aspects of the natal day. Censorinus begins with a discussion on the importance of birthdays and then delves into more technical subjects such as the Julian calendar, the zodiac, and the astrological influences on human life.

Influence

De Die Natali is an important source for understanding Roman views on time and the cosmos. It also provides insights into the scientific knowledge of the period, including the Roman understanding of astronomy and astrology.

Legacy

Censorinus' work was highly regarded in antiquity and continued to be referenced by later scholars. It is an important document for historians studying the cultural and scientific milieu of the Roman Empire.

See also

• Roman calendar
• Astrology in ancient Rome
• Roman literature

References

• Censorinus. De Die Natali. Translated by William Maude. London: G. Bell and Sons, 1900.
• Macrobius. Saturnalia. Translated by Robert A. Kaster. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2011.

External links

• De Die Natali at Perseus Digital Library