Volume 7, No. 1
Astrology and Prophecy in Campanella and Galileo
Germana Ernst
Abstract
In this essay some aspects of the relationship between Galileo and Campanella are analysed. Campanella held the
scientist in high esteem. After reading his Sidereus
Nuncius he sent to him a long Latin epistle and in 1616 he wrote the Apologia
pro Galileo, in defence of the right of Galileo to abandon Aristotelian
philosophy in order to read directly from the book of nature.As it is well known, prophecy and astrology played an important role in
the thought of Campanella. As far as Galileo is concerned, notwithstanding his
rejection of prophetical themes, he had some competence and interest in
astrology. Many friends wrote to him to ask for horoscopes and to solve
astrological problems derived from the recently discovered stars. His personal
curiosity is proved by his outlining nativities for his friends, daughters and
himself.