The Abbreviation of the Introduction to Astrology

Abu Ma'sar (787-886, known as Albumasar in Western Europe) was the best known astrologer of the Middle Ages in both the Islamic world and the Christian West. His most famous work was the "Great Introduction" to astrology, which was copied into numerous Arabic manuscripts, translated into Latin twice, and printed in the Renaissance. However, he himself made an abbreviation of this work, which summarized the astrological information in the larger work. This abbreviation survives in two Arabic manuscripts and a Latin translation made by Adelard of Bath in the early 12th century. This text contains the first edition of the abbreviation and the Latin translation, with English translations of both texts and several indexes. It should be of interest to cultural historians, as well as a useful introduction to medieval astrology.