Teucer of Babylon (Τεῦκρος ὁ Βαβυλώνιος)

Life Teucer of Babylon is known only from references in later astrological texts. His name and doctrines associate him with the transmission of Babylonian astrological lore into Greek intellectual circles during the Hellenistic period, likely between the 1st century BCE and 1st century CE [1][2][3]. He is cited as an authority by later compilers on katarchic astrology and the division of the zodiac.

Works No independent works survive. His astrological doctrines are preserved fragmentarily through quotations in later authors, such as Rhetorius of Egypt and Hephaestion of Thebes [1][2]. These testimonia concern technical systems like dodecatemoria, the subdivision of zodiac signs.

Significance Teucer represents the Hellenization of Babylonian astrological techniques. His enduring, if minor, authority within the specialized tradition is demonstrated by his citation in Byzantine compilations [1]. His primary significance lies as a named source for specific doctrines, particularly the system of dodecatemoria used for precise astrological analysis [1][2].

Sources 1. Perseus Digital Library (Tufts University): http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0077%3Aentry%3Dteu%2Fkros 2. ToposText (Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation): https://topostext.org/person/1564 3. Encyclopædia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Teucer-of-Babylon