AD LIT: How to use an Astrolabe; Treatise on the Astrolabe, Geoffroy Chaucer

 Why you might read The Treatise on the Astrolabe?

This Treatise is the first description of a scientific instrument or technical manual in English. As such it is an interesting read. Chaucer did not finish it. In his introduction, he details five sections but we only have the first two. In my Self Education project, it rounds out Chaucer's work. As well as being an interesting romp into an obscure scientific instrument of the 1400s.

Synopsis of The Treatise on the Astrolabe

 The Treatise is a letter to a young Lewis. This may or may not be Chaucer's son. The introduction indicates five sections but we only have the first two. These cover a in-depth description of the instrument itself. The translation I used had a diagram of the description which helped with visualisation. The second section is instructions on its use in normal situations. As well as a series of variations.  

Reflections on The Treatise on the Astrolabe

Not having an Astrolabe to look at and interact with made this text rather challenging. Of course, it being in middle English didn't help either. That being said it was still an interesting read.

It was interesting to look at some of the older ideas around horoscopes. Today we only see horoscopes online or in magazines. And they have their own language and term. In this treatise, we see how those terms came to be and what is meant by having a planet in retrograde or a planet being in a sign.

What others have to say about The Treatise on the Astrolabe

"His Treatise on the astrolabe was written during the 1390s. It is the first 'technical manual' of its kind to be written in English instead of Latin, Greek, or Arabic." From St Johns College

Comparisons with other texts

This isn't the first technical document in my Self Education project. We have seen works by Hippocrates which are all factual pieces. For example On Surgery gives a detailed description of how to bandage patients. By contrast, this treatise is on a single instrument and how to manipulate it.

This is very different from Chaucer's other original work. Well semi-original as it is said to be based on two other works, but it is not a translation. His other original work is almost entirely in verse. By contrast, this treatise is entirely in prose. The Canterbury Tales is more about telling stories. Whereas this treatise is entirely factual. It also has a specific recipient in mind rather than the broad audience of the Tales.

Conclusion

This is a tricky work to get your head around. But it is a clear description of the instrument called the Astrolabe and its working. While it is not as well known as the Canterbury tales it shows a different side of Chaucer. In all, it gives some background to modern-day horoscopes.

Have you read The Treatise on the Astrolabe? If so what did you think of it? 
 
Want to read The Treatise on the Astrolabe but haven't? Please leave me a comment and let me know why you want to read it.

Hopefully, this post inspires you to take the time to look into it on your own journey of Self Education.

Get a copy of The Treatise on the Astrolabe. 

The Life Of Cyrus; Cyropaedia, Xenophon

Why you might read Cyropaedia?

This short history details the life of Cyrus. It is told by Xenophon who does not overlap time-wise with Cyrus. It is a great look into the rise of the Persian Empire. It includes commentary about how Cyrus achieved it all. As well as how he made it harmonious at least for his lifetime. All in all, it is an easy-to-read little history of the Persians. In my Self Education project, it stands as a history of one of the great civilisations. 

Synopsis of Cyropaedia

Book I:

Xenophon gives the details of Cyrus' upbringing. This includes the time he spent with his grandfather with the Medes. It is here he learns horsemanship. The tail of the section is spent with a dialogue between Cyrus and his father. In this, they discuss what a commander of men really needs to know. It is far more than the tactics Cyrus has been formally taught. You must have the men feed and trust you to command an efficient force.  

Book II:

This book looks at how Cyrus set up and trained the army that Persia sent to Medea. It explains the contests that were set up to motivate the men to train. Xenophon also spends some time telling stories of how Cyrus gave honour to the men. These rank from the lowest soldier to the highest captains. It finishes with an account of the dialogue with the masses. And how Cyrus got them to agree that they should be rewarded based on their accomplishments. This is in contrast to the status quo of all the soldiers being rewarded equally.

Book III:

Here we follow Cyrus raising an army to help defend his grandfather's kingdom. Xenophon details how he trained and maintained the army. We follow the army to his grandfather's territory. Before they set out for the enemy Cyrus detours to get troops from a reluctant ally. While doing this he also manages to gain an extra ally. When they finally meet the enemy they charge with such ferocity that the enemy runs. 

Book IV:

We see Cyrus take the army to chase the enemy. His grandfather does not want to but says he can take any of the Medes who will follow him. Cyrus convinces most of them. During the pursuit, one of the enemy's allies defects to Cyrus' forces and leads on as a guide. The enemy again flees and the Cavalry pursues. Cyrus decides that the Persians need their own cavalry. They will take the enemy horses that were left behind and learn. Cyrus takes so many prisoners and booty that he sends them to Persia for re-enforcements. About this time his grandfather realizes he has been left all but alone at the camp. He sends an angry message for the Medes to return. Cyrus sends a reply message that they have won the day which he hopes will calm his grandfather. 

Book V:

Cyrus' army takes on the Assyrians in battle and the king is killed. The Assyrians retreat and the son is elevated to king. Immediately a delegation comes to Cyrus offering to come to his side as the new king killed this lord's son. After a few more days another lord who the king had made into a eunuch also defects to Cyrus' side. Cyruses grandfather throws another wobbly upon coming to the front. He worries that he is being outdone by the honour guard that comes to greet him. Cyrus eventually pacifies him but not until he has given the older man back his pride. 

Book VI:

Cyrus regroups. He puts to the troops the question of continuing the campaign. They all agree with his assessment that they need to press forward. Cyrus sends multiple spies to the Assyrian side at varying levels of importance. They all come back with the same report. The enemy is massing troops and securing outside help from the Egyptians. Cyrus constructs new chariots with scythes on the wheels to run through infantry. Cyrus marches the army onward until they see the dust of the enemy. They form up in battle array and get ready to fight. 

Book VII:

Cyrus takes the army against the enemy and wins a resounding victory. He then takes one wealthy city and comes away with a lot of plunder and a city under his control. He then persuades the generals to continue the campaign. They then besiege Babylon. They take Babylon by re-directing the river that flows through the city. They used the dry bed to enter the city. Cyrus then sets himself up as king. But he explores the Persians who are with him to continue their lives of virtue. As well as training their sons in the same way as at home. 

Book VIII:

Xenophon describes how Cyrus sets up the running of his empire. The empire went well for Cyrus and he became known by the people as father. He does so by continuing the tradition of hardship for the nobles. He also continues as he did as a general and is lavish with gifts to recognize honourable men. Xenophon continues with an account of Cyrus knowing he will die and giving his last words of wisdom to his sons. But Xenophon does not stop there. He gives a brief account of the abandonment of Cyruses virtues in modern Persia.

Reflections on Cyropaedia

Cyropaedia is a concise little history. It might have overly rose-coloured glasses in its portrayal of Cyrus. There is no doubt, however, that he did great things and established an empire.

Xenophon's focus on the generosity and graciousness of Cyrus is interesting. He paints Cyrus as a saint of virtue and a firm believer in the providence of keeping your men happy. He is at all times at pains to show honour where honour is due. As well as making sure the army is fed and paid. At times he seems to focus too much on this but it always works well in his favour

I found Cyrus' adoption of the Median dress once he secures the Empire quite odd. He and his men are proud Persians and he emplores them to stay as such in their virtues. It seems counter to the rest of what he has done to give them a style of dress that is not Persian and also extravagant. 

What others have to say about Cyropaedia

 

"CYROPAEDIA, a partly fictional biography of Cyrus the Great (559-29 b.c.e.), founder of the Achaemenid empire" From Encyclopaedia Iranica

"Instead, it was meant to instruct its readers, primarily the Greek elites, in matters of both politics and morality. Nonetheless, the Cyropaedia still offers a fascinating look at the life of Cyrus the Great." From The Collector

Comparisons with other texts

Cyropaedia in some ways continues the themes of On The Cavalry Commander. On The Cavalry Commander is entirely about how to organise and train troops. Cyropaedia by contrast has it mixed through an account of someone doing exactly. Though that is on a  much larger scale. Cyrus organises and trains his troops with a similar ethos. This leaves me to wonder how much Xenophon took his theory from accounts of Cyrus.

Xenophon ends with a description of how Cyrus set up his Kingdom. This is very different to the details given in The Constitution of the Lacedemonians. It seems the greatness of a state or empire is not attached to its system of government.

Conclusion

This is a nice Pseudohistory even if it was written as more of a moral text. It covers the life of Cyrus right from childhood and training. It continues all the way to Kingship, dying and instructing his sons. It gives an interesting insight into how the Greeks saw the Persian Empire. This is in spite of their conflicts.

Have you read Cyropaedia? If so what did you think of it? 

 

Want to read Cyropaedia but haven't? Please leave me a comment and let me know why you want to read it.

Hopefully, this post inspires you to take the time to look into it on your own journey of Self Education.

Get a copy of Cyropaedia. 

UPDATE: A New Year and new priorities

So it's 2024. When did that happen? I hope the year has treated you all well. And the New Year has sparked me to rethink this project.

In short, I'm done.

Not with the reading list but with this blog. I love the reading but the writing has become a huge drag for me and I don't have so much time now that we have a wee son. So thank you for coming along for this part of the journey. I have two more posts written that will both post this month  (Today and Monday the 8th) then that is it. 

I wish you all well in your own self-education.

How to prepare Cavalry; On the Cavalry Commander, Xenophon

Why you might read On the Cavalry Commander?

This piece shows us how Athens structured her standing army. It allows us to see their preparations for war. It rounds out our view of cavalry in Athens. In my education project, this fills in gaps in my understanding of ancient warfare.

Synopsis of On the Cavalry Commander

This short treatise gives us a look into what went into training, maintaining and commanding Athenian cavalry. 

It starts with how to recruit cavalry, and raise the funds necessary. It continues with how to train the cavalry. Both as a unit and what you should instruct them to do on their own.

It sidetracks into how cavalry should be displayed during processions and feasts. The suggestions given would make the Cavalry look as good as possible. 

Finally, it finishes with how to March and command a force at war. It covers both with and without infantry support.

Reflections on On the Cavalry Commander

Xenophon gives his ideas on how the cavalry should be trained and maintained. This holds quite a bit of weight as he commanded the army in the retreat from Persia. And while it holds a lot of insight into how the army,  was run, we must hold it as one man's opinion, however, qualified he may be. We do not know if he ever had a chance to implement this regime and how successful it was in use.

His coverage of displaying the horsemanship of the men at festivals is a little hard for me to imagine. But I'm willing to trust Xenophon that it would be impressive. It is interesting that these displays are part of the festivals. I guess it is as good of a time as any to show the populace the prowess of the armed forces.

What others have to say about On the Cavalry Commander

"Xenophon is not shy about repeatedly mentioning the service the commander owes to the gods" From Ashoakkara

Comparisons with other texts

The easy comparison to make is between On the Cavalry Commander and On Horsemanship. The big difference is that On Horsemanship focuses on the individual.  By contrast On the Cavalry Commander is focused on the formation of horsemen. 

An interesting comparison is between the use of the Cavalry in Athens and the supposed use of horses in, the much earlier, Illiad. In the Illiad, chariots are used only to get to the battle. By contrast, the Cavalry of Xenophon are expected to fight, scout and generally be part of the order of battle.

Conclusion

This text completes Xenophon's discussion of the horse and its use in war. It covers recruiting men, training men and leading them in battle. It also sidetracks to give detail on how to display the cavalry in the festivals.

Have you read On the Cavalry Commander? If so what did you think of it? 

 

Want to read On the Cavalry Commander but haven't? Please leave me a comment and let me know why you want to read it.

Hopefully, this post inspires you to take the time to look into it on your own journey of Self Education.

Get a copy of On the Cavalry Commander. 

The running of Sparta; The Constitution of the Lacedemonians, Xenophon

Why you might read The Constitution of the Lacedaemonians?

The Constitution of the Lacedaemonians gives a non-Spartan view of the city-state of Sparta. It is written by an Athenian and gives many ways in which the Spartans differ from their neighbours. In self-education project, it gives context to all other texts that deal with what Sparta did.

Synopsis of The Constitution of the  Lacedaemonians

Xenophon covers the training of boys and young men first. He covers both how they are trained and fed. It is a vigorous and comprehensive system that trains and teaches. The system places them with their peers rather than in their households. 

He explains how cooking and eating were moved to the public sphere. As well as how the mixing of ages helped temper young men. As well as the need to walk home in the dark deterring the overconsumption of wine.

He finishes by commenting that the Spartans seem to have eased up on these laws and regulations. It seems to him that they are becoming more like the rest of the Greeks. He points to this as why they have fallen away from being the preeminent state.

Reflections on The Constitution of the  Lacedaemonians

This is a fascinating insight into the setup of Sparta. Xenophon attributes it all to one man. The insight he must have had if it was truly all his doing. I wonder though if it would have stuck for even as long as it did if it had not been instituted by a Spartan patriarch.

The training of the boys I definitely more brutal than if they had been left to their fathers to teach. But I think the biggest thing that comes from it is the sense of unity. This unity will serve them well on the battlefield as well as in public life.

I do think Xenophon has a utopian view of the spartan regime. But this is likely to happen when you see the results it granted Sparta.

What others have to say about The Constitution of the Lacedaemonians

"...is the most comprehensive extant account of Spartan institutions. As an oligarchically-inclined exile from Athens, who had fought alongside Spartan generals in the Persian Expedition, and later against Athens at the battle of Coronea, Xenophon was a well-placed and highly sympathetic observer of Spartan customs." From Tom Griffin

Comparisons with other texts

The Constitution of the Athenians is a critique. It gives little to no detail about the constitution itself. By contrast, the constitution of the Lacedaemonians focuses entirely on the running of Sparta. As well as how it differed from the rest of Greece. They provide very different insights. Ready the most they have in common are their names.

The History of the Peloponnesian War details how Sparta wages war with Athens. It gives us insight into the political life and warrior life of Sparta. By contrast, The Constitution of the Lacedaemonians gives us insight into life within their own borders. It is hard to tell whether the war is before or after the decline that Xenophon notes. But possibly it is what he is alluding to when he says other powers have vied for control. 

Conclusion

The Constitution of the Lacedaemonians covers the training of young men. It covers the instruction for public life. It finished off with the structuring of the army and the place of the king. It lets us see what built the power of Sparta and how different it ready was from the rest of Greece. Though they fell away from it and it lead to their demise.

Have you read The Constitution of the Lacedaemonians? If so what did you think of it? 

 

Want to read The Constitution of the Lacedaemonians but haven't? Please leave me a comment and let me know why you want to read it.

Hopefully, this post inspires you to take the time to look into it on your own journey of Self Education.

Get a copy of The Constitution of the Lacedaemonians. 

A Critique of Democracy; The Constitution of the Athenians, Xenophon

 Why you might read The Constitution of the Athenians?

In a lot of works, we see the Athenian Constitution in action. It is a nice change of pace to actually discuss whether it works or is the best option. It is also the first critique that is not a satire we have seen. It makes a good balance to the prodemocracy parts of my reading project.

Synopsis of The Constitution of the Athenians

Giving the plebs a voice is a bad idea. It gives rise to the wealthy only looking after themselves and the plebs being less well off. He gives Oligarchy as an alternative. Saying that the wealthy are better educated and able to do what is best rather than popular. Xenophon spends a little time at the end giving issues with the courts. Especially how they could never get through everything. He does not propose a solution but rather leaves that to the reader.

Reflections on The Constitution of the Athenians

Like I said in the intro it is nice to see a critique of democracy as the Greeks practised it. Today we are so in love with democracy that we see all other forms as inferior. This piece reminds us that there are other options. And that they have their own positives and negatives.

This could have been done with a more in-depth discussion. At its current depth, it is unlikely to convince anyone who is not already persuaded. Persuaded that democracy is not the best option. 

I'm unsure what the author is hoping to achieve in this piece. Maybe it's a piece of pro-oligarchy propaganda. 

What others have to say about The Constitution of the Athenians

"This work represents both a philological and a historiographical problem, because, even if it was transmitted in the corpus of Xenophon’s work, it is considered to have been written by another author, known as Speudo-Xenophon or “Old Oligarch”" From Archai

"The pamphlet aims to show that the demos (common people) at Athens run affairs in their own interests, and it takes the curious form of a salute from an anti‐democratic viewpoint." From Oxford Reference 

Comparisons with other texts

In Agesilaus we see Xenophon praising a competent King. This seems in keeping with what we see here with Xenophon taking a stand against Democracy. Both are short Pithy texts with little fluff. That being said Agesilaus has a bit more depth of argument. As well as a bit more evidence for its claims.

The Acharnians is not directly about the democracy of Athens. It does however deal with Athens during the war. Here we see the courts in action, or inaction as the case may be. We see through this how ineffective the collective process can be in its need to consult all. This is exactly one of Xenophon's points about The Constitution of the Athenians.

Conclusion

The Consitution of the Athenians is possibly not written by Xenophon. But it is traditionally part of Xenophon's corpus. It covers the downsides of Democracy while lauding Oligarchy as a better alternative. 

Have you read The Constitution of the Athenians? If so what did you think of it? 

 

Want to read The Constitution of the Athenians but haven't? Please leave me a comment and let me know why you want to read it.

Hopefully, this post inspires you to take the time to look into it on your own journey of Self Education.

Get a copy of The Constitution of the Athenians. 

The Doctor's through the Parson's Tales; The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer

Why you might read The Canterbury Tales?

The Canterbury Tales is the most well-known work of Chaucer. And Chaucer is the father of English literature. So if you are going to read any of his work here is the place to start. No Self-Education project is complete without this classic. Be warned though it is rather long, and if you don't want to read middle English find a good modern translation.

Synopsis of The Canterbury Tales(Part 2)

The Doctor's Tale:

A corrupt judge lusts after a virgin daughter and puts together a plot to get her in his power. He puts together a case with the story that she is a slave that her father has abducted. The father sees through this plot and kills the daughter to save her. The judge then conspires to put the father to death but the people rebel and through the judge in jail. In jail he kills himself. 

The Pardoner's Tale:

Three friends go to kill death after another friend dies. They find him under an oak tree beside him is a pile of gold. They quickly forget about death and plan to take the money in the morning. They draw straws for someone to go to town for food and drink. The two left then plan to stab the one fetching food and drink. But the one who went to town poisons the wine. So the two kill the third and then die from the poison in the wine.

The Shipman's Tale:

A Shipman's wife spends too much money and ends up in debt. She asks a monk, a close friend for money. He borrows it off the shipman and gives it to her. He tells the shipman he has repaid the money to the wife. The shipman confronts his wife and she returns the money and says she will pay the debts with her body.

The Prioress' Tale:

Jews abduct a Christian boy. When he doesn't stop singing to the virgin Mary they kill him by slitting his throat. They throw him in the sewer, but he keeps singing. His family find him and he explains the virgin Mary helped him keep singing.

Chaucer’s Tale of Sir Thopas:

A parody of romantic poems. This start with Sir Thopas searching for the Elf Queen. He is distracted by fighting with the giant Sir Olifaunt. Here the tale ends as the Innkeeper interrupts Chaucer and begs him to stop.

Chaucer's Tale of Meliboeus:

Unlike every other tale, this one is told in prose. This tale is a conversation between a husband and wife. The wife is trying to convince the husband to forgive a wrong and not seek revenge. They go back and forth with both appealing to historical and biblical figures. Eventually, the husband concedes but still chastises the wrongdoers before forgiving them.

The Monk's Tale:

The monk tells 17 short tales. These come from the bible and historical tales. They range from Adam to Lucifer, and Nero to Julius Caesar.

The Nun's Priest's Tale:

A cock and his hens are looked after by a simple family. The cock is showy and proud. The cock has a dream about being killed but the hens convince him it was nothing. He exits the henhouse that morning and meets a fox and is alarmed. But the fox convinces him that he is a friend and asks him to sing. While he is singing the fox grabs him by the neck and runs off into the forest with him. The cock escapes into the forest and the fox tries to trick him again but he is too smart for that.

The Nun's Second Tale:

A Christian maid is married to a pagan man. She on their wedding night tells him of her guardian angel. He doesn't believe her so she sends him on a pilgrimage to see a saint. He converts upon meeting with the saint. He returns to her and see's her angel who gives him one wish. He wishes his brother to have faith in God. The brother converts and travels to the saint to be baptised. The brothers are then martyred.

The Canon's Yeoman's Tale:

An Alchemist swindles a priest with a powder to turn mercury into silver. The con is rather elaborate and the priest is convinced and pays a large sum. The Alchemist gets away before the deception is uncovered.

The Manciple's Tale:

A jealous husband keeps his wife at home but she stays and takes a lover anyway. This husband owns a snow-white crow that can mimic human speech and voice. The crow tells the husband of his wife's infidelity and in a rage, the husband kills his wife. He then feels remorse for this and blames the crow. He then plucks the bird and turns it black.

The Parson's Tale:

This is not a tale but rather a treatise on the deadly sins and repentance in Christ. The translation I was working from does not give it in full. Instead mixes summary with full text in what is otherwise a very long text.

Reflections on The Canterbury Tales(Part 2)

The treatise that is the Parson's Tale really drives home the position of the Parson as a teacher of the faith. We have seen other religious men tell tales. By contrast, the parson chooses to preach rather than do something as frivolous as telling a tale or jape. He even says as much in his introduction.

Chaucer's prayer at the end of the text is interesting. He seems to ask forgiveness for his works. It starts out as a meaty prayer, which is to be expected of his time when the church was so much more dominant.

The self-insert of Chaucer feels a little out of place. Yet at the same time, it gives the author a first-hand look at the tales he is telling. It becomes a retelling of something that could have happened rather than a story made up of whole cloth.

What others have to say about The Canterbury Tales

"One character specifically used to reflect Chaucer's views on  Scottish culture, the lower class, and corrupt businessmen is the Miler" From Bartleby

"He along with other pilgrimages gathered on a spring evening at the Tabard Inn in Southwark, the place of departure and arrival for the pilgrimages to the shrine of St. Thomas Becket at Canterbury." From Poem Analysis

Comparisons with other texts

The Legend of Good Women is also a collection by Chaucer. It is much more compact and tells Chaucer's versions of stories of well-known women. By contrast, the Canterbury Tales is focused more on men. The Canterbury tales are a mix of well-known tales as well as more original ones. It is also held together by a meta-narrative rather than a theme. 

Like the Everyman and Miracle Plays we see a set of tales that tell us as much about the author and his times as they do about the stories themselves. The Everyman and Miracle Plays however have a biblical theme and a multitude of authors. By contrast, while priests and monks may be characters in the Tales the themes are not religious.

Conclusion

This second half of the Canterbury tales covered a variety of stories. These often invoke another pilgrim to tell a story in response. They are not linked by theme but rather by a meta-narrative told between each story. These tales come from a diverse group of pilgrims heading for Canterbury. It ends with Chaucer praying.

Have you read The Canterbury Tales? If so what did you think of it? 
 
Want to read The Canterbury Tales but haven't? Please leave me a comment and let me know why you want to read it.

Hopefully, this post inspires you to take the time to look into it on your own journey of Self Education.

Get a copy of The Canterbury Tales.