Читать книгу Universe: The story of the Universe, from earliest times to our continuing discoveries - Peter Grego - Страница 37

Being able to predict celestial events, from the movements of Venus to eclipses of the Sun and the Moon, appeared to give a great advantage to any society capable of mastering such complex astronomical and mathematical problems. Great civilizations, such as those of ancient Babylon, Egypt and China, attached great importance to observing, recording and predicting heavenly phenomena. Astrologer-priests kept a constant vigil on the skies, ostensibly for society’s well-being and to keep their rulers informed of any celestial portents that might affect the status quo. Astrology was considered such a precious asset that its use without the ruler’s permission was often punishable by execution. Sometimes, either through lack of attention to the skies, sloppy mathematics or just plain bad luck, the astrologers got things wrong – and paid a severe penalty as a result. The ancient Chinese Book of History reports that two court astrologers were executed for having failed to announce a total lunar eclipse in 2136 BC.

Comets were once regarded as celestial omens.