Sijzi's astrologic tarikh

Antoine Borrut in 2014 suggested that, for Islamic historiography "as others saw it", we consult the stars. Specifically: astrology. We may get a book out of this since, well, we taxpayers are paying for it. Borrut shooed off a squirrel on Theophilus; as alternative for an astrologic historian he promises to ponder Khwarizmi.

(I've caught up with the current day. Woot!)

As to what it means to be astrologic, rather than based upon some calendar, that means you based your chronology upon conjunctions of planets. If you do that, assuming your tradents don't betray you, you're transcendent over all calendars political and religious. Also the horoscope might have been inscribed close to the date to which it applies, as such a precious contemporary account.

For one example of the genre - al-Sijzi - Borrut cites David Pingree, "Historical Horoscopes", Journal of the American Oriental Society, 82.4 (1962), 487f. doi:10.2307/597519: this pinpointed PARIS BN ARABE 2581 (Suppl. arabe 1131) as a copy, misascribed to one of Sijzi's sources Abu Ma'shar (used for the Sasanians). Sijzi did not for his own part use Khwarizmi.

Sijzi's chronography is terse. But it's also interestingly variant. It recognises "al-Zubayr" (sic!) as equally important as his rival Marwan; also 'Ali, and Husayn (for AH 40!). This blog must point out: "al-Zubayr" as not "Abd Allah Ibn al-Zubayr" matches John bar Penkaye. Also Mu'awiya alone is noted for when he "became caliph". This hints at an interregnum before him, as we see in Syrian chronography, which does not recognise 'Ali (or "Abu Turab" or "'Abbas") at all, but only the time of no-caliph. This also assumes the application of the title "caliph" to an Umayyad who did not accept that title at his accession.

Borrut warns that astrologers maintain their own biases. Recall how the Maronite Chronicler juggled natural disasters around Muawiya's career, and how Thomas the [Jacobite] Presbyter did the same around Heraclius' religious policy AD 628-32 (Shahriyar's reign if we believe Sijzi 'an Abu Ma'shar; mostly queen Boran's out West). An astrologer will face this same temptation to juggle main events around auspicious or inauspicious planetary events. The sign of the Crab as associated with water became a locus intowhich to assign floods, starting with the flood of Judi/Ararat. Also the earliest astrologers seem to have been Zubayrites against the 'Abbasids; although the Shi'a (despite hating both) will maintain the astrologic tradition, for at least one more century.