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The Zodiac in Egypt

The zodiac was imported during Ptolemaic or Roman Period to Egypt, and is well attested from temples, coffins and tomb ceilings. In Meroe was found the fragment of a faience disc with a zodiac on it. It was probably brought there directly from Egypt or is at least influenced by contemporary Hellenistic examples. Zodiacs were used for horoscopes.

from Meroe
ceiling of a tomb at Athribis (Upper Egypt)
Zodiac on tomb ceiling

While a number of zodiacs survived there are few papyri giving an analysis of a horoscope. A papyrus written in 'old Coptic' is one of the few examples. It lists each star constellation following by an explanation what will happened (Cerny/Kahle/Parker 1957).

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