Serapio of Alexandria

From HellenisticWiki

There is a long list of definitions attributed to Serapio that was edited in the CCAG by the noted Belgian scholar Franz Cumont in 1921. There he is called Sarapio of Alexandria (Σαραπίωνος Ἀλεξανδρέως). This list is largely a later Byzantine paraphrase of some of Serapio's own definitions, with other material added in. As such, his dating is difficult to establish, although he likely flourished sometime around the 1st century CE.

This list of definitions is titled Derived Names of the Configurations of the Stars (παρονομασίαι σχηματισμῶν τῶν ἀστέρων), or Definitions for short. Two translations of the Definitions have been published recently. The first was a partial one by Schmidt in 2009,[2] and then next a full translation by Holden appeared a year later in 2010.[3]

Translation Project

Serapio's Definitions are currently being translated in the Serapio of Alexandria Translation Project on this wiki. Eduardo Gramaglia completed a full preliminary translation in mid-2009.

Endnotes

• 1. CCAG 8, part 4, pg. 225.
• 2. Robert Schmidt, Definitions and Foundations, Golden Hind Press, Cumberland, MD, 2009. Most of Serapio’s definitions are translated here, although since they are being used to support and flesh out the definitions of Antiochus, which are the primary focus of the text, Serapio’s are scattered throughout the book instead of appearing as a continuous text.
• 3. James Holden, Porphyry the Philosopher, American Federation of Astrologers, Tempe, AZ, 2010, pgs. 59-73.