De Septem Secundeis, id est, Intelligentiis sive Spiritibus Orbes post Deum Moventibus

Johannes Trithemius, at Peapolis, which is now Würzburg in ducal Franconia, formerly abbot of the monastery of Saint James and of the abbey of Sponheim: On the Seven Secondary Causes, that is, the Intelligences, or Spirits That Move the Spheres, a truly most precious little book, happily dedicated to the Emperor Caesar Maximilian Augustus Pius.

Epigram of Johannes Marquardus

This little book, teaching earlier deeds with pleasing brevity, from fixed numbers foretells how great future things will be. Calchas, son of Thestor, filled with Apollo, could not have reported more certain things, nor Helenus the seer. Great was the trust once placed in the Cumaean song; but I do not trust your leaves, Sibyl. Our venerable abbot possesses more credibility here, whose page has an everlasting divine power.

With the privilege of the imperial majesty that it is not to be printed in his kingdom, empire, and lands, nor copies printed elsewhere sold there, within ten years, under the penalties expressed in the privilege: ten marks of pure gold and the loss of all such books.

Letters of the lord abbot, of [unclear] and of Saint Gall.

In his letters and glosses, Lord and lord.

Danger and danger and danger and [repeated passage — OCR stutter, collapsed] danger and danger and

To the reverend and highly deserving Jacob Zuwilf, abbot of the monastery of Amorbach of the Order of Saint Benedict, Johannes Marquardus Marquardi sends greeting.

When last autumn, most honored father, as I was about to enter Swabia, I passed through Pforzheim, a town famous for its most learned talents, not so much to greet a few old friends there as to win new ones, the noble Landschad, illustrious by the happy splendor of his birth, whom I was accompanying, addressed Johannes Suebelinus, priest of the foundation, as they call it, of the Holy Spirit, since he had been his former teacher in letters. Suebelinus received us both with great courtesy. And although I was perhaps not known to him by face, afterward through letters, as happens, we fell into conversation; our studies brought us together, and from that agreement friendship was born.

He led me into a rather private study, where, as we looked about for a while, there presented themselves to us the flowery meadows of rhetoricians in both languages, the most pleasant groves of poets, the fertile fields of historians, the green searchings of philosophers, no thickets of sophists, the clearest streams of the Old and New Testament. Finally, from a bookcase there was brought out a little book by Johannes Trithemius on the intelligences. When I had examined and thoroughly searched it, by the Muses, what knowledge of things, how many predictions of future events, and how much, besides, it seemed to prophesy for these times full of dangers! I was captivated both by the discovery and by the omen, and then by the novelty of the matter, and I obtained from my friend permission to copy it. Then, when I compared my copy with one and another writer of histories, the numbers of the years corresponded admirably, and the truth of the histories agreed.

And so I judged it inhuman and uncivil that so great a treasure should be possessed by only a few, although I know that this share of happiness is begrudged to the people by many who will perhaps cry out that what is holy must not be given to dogs. Yet, most candid father, fearing none of those fault-finders, provided that I act under the title of your name, I shall do a thing pleasing to many, and especially to good men. For how rare is the man who will not read it more eagerly when he sees your name written before it on the page? Moreover, who in this world is there to whom this offspring of Trithemius’ studies may more justly be dedicated than to you, a man both learned and devout, who so embraces that abbot of Sponheim, a man of keenest intellect and every kind of learning, that you do not cease to proclaim him even though dead, and his books, of which

You have a great store of these things: you revere him so devoutly that you could not do so more holily, and you imitate his learning and integrity of morals so closely that no one alive is more like him than you. This, though I had heard it celebrated in the speech of many concerning your excellence, I have found to be greater by I know not how many degrees. It is two years now since, fleeing on account of the plague in the Odenwald, and thus lying hidden in the court of the most splendid lord Schenck Eberhard of Erbach, the elder baron, I was summoned into the number of the friends of your highness by letters most learnedly written in your own hand, and at the same time by an honorable little gift. And you thought even these things too little, unless you invited a very small man, and one perhaps beneath your opinion of him; you received him when invited, and indeed most liberally, and with more than human kindness you wiped away the hardships of his whole exile. To what mortal has such favor ever come from so great an abbot as came to Marquard from that Jacob, most richly endowed with every ornament truly worthy of an abbot? Nor is it for me here to recount by what and how great virtues you have climbed from a man of middling fortune to this summit, so that, chosen by the most ardent wishes of your brothers as their father, as sons are safe in their father’s spirit, vigorous when he is vigorous, strong when he is firm, blessed when he is safe, collapsed when he is weak, so all have embraced your gentle rule, even now for many years, so that they have regretted no day less than the one that first saw you as abbot. These things may be small, however great they are. Yet I admire still more the ready munificence of your spirit toward those who are devoted to you, and your manners, in no way harsh even toward the lowest; by these you easily reconcile even enemies to yourself and carry them away into admiration of you. You live a blameless life, such as could have been sketched by Saint Paul to Timothy. Besides this, who will sufficiently admire in you eloquence joined with prudence, ease seasoned with gravity, beneficence moderated by frugality, and, finally, a versatile intellect, by which you administer human and divine affairs not without incredible toil, but with great and certain praise? But of these things I shall speak elsewhere, among others, at a more fitting time, since I have long understood that your modesty seeks nothing less than immoderate praises, although none are to be considered immoderate in view of your greatness. Meanwhile, however, I ask this one thing: receive with a cheerful face Trithemius brought back to life, publicly restored to light and liberty, and, most worthy abbot, most worthily protect him for this most worthy abbot. May Christ Jesus, the savior of all, keep your reverend fatherhood safe and unharmed for a very long time. Amen.

The book of Johannes Trithemius, abbot of Saint James at Würzburg, on the celestial intelligences that govern the world after God.

It is the opinion of very many of the ancients, most wise Caesar, that this lower world is governed, by the ordinance of the first intellect, who is God, through secondary intelligences; agreeing with their opinion, the Conciliator of Physicians says that seven planetary spirits were appointed from the beginning of the creation of heaven and earth, each of whom governs the world in order for 354 years and 4 months. Very many most learned men up to now have given assent to this position. I make it known to your most sacred majesty not asserting it, but merely reporting it.

The first angel, or spirit of Saturn, is called Orifiel; to him God entrusted the world to be governed from the beginning of creation. His rule began on the fifteenth day of the month of March, in the first year of the world, and lasted 354 years and 4 months. Orifiel, however, is a name of office, not of nature, attributed to the spirit by reason of his action. Under his rule humans were rough and rustic, living in solitude after the manner of beasts. This matter needs no proof from me, since it is clear to everyone from the text of Genesis.

The second governor of the world is Anael, the spirit of Venus, who after Orifiel began to rule by the influence of his planet in the year of the world 354, the fourth month, that is, on the fourteenth day of the month of June; and he governed the world for 354 years and 4 months, up to the year 708 from the creation of the world, as is plain to anyone calculating the age. Under the rule of this Anael, human beings began to be more cultivated, to build houses and cities, to discover manual arts, the work of weaving, wool-working, and things of this kind, and also to indulge more abundantly in the pleasures of the flesh. They took beautiful wives for themselves, forgot God, departed in many ways from natural simplicity, invented games and songs, played the lyre, and devised whatever belongs to the manners and cult of Venus. This wantonness of life endured among human beings up to the flood, taking the proof of its own depravity.

The third, Zachariel, angel of Jupiter, began to govern the world in the year 708 from the creation of heaven and earth, the eighth month, that is, on the sixteenth day of the month of October; and he governed the world for 354 years and 4 months, up to the year 1063 from the creation of the world, inclusive. Under his direction human beings first [unclear] dominion over another.

They began to practice hunting, to make tents, and to adorn their bodies with various garments; and a great division was made between the good and the wicked. The good called upon God, as did Enoch, whom the Lord translated; but the wicked ran after the enticements of the flesh. Under the rule of this Zachariel, men also began to live more civilly, to endure the laws and customs of their elders, and to grow gentler from their former savagery. Under his leadership also Adam, the first man, died, leaving to his posterity the testament of the necessity of dying. Finally, in this time various inventions and arts of men emerged, as the historiographers have expressed more clearly.

The fourth ruler of the world was Raphael, spirit of Mercury, who began on the twenty-fourth day of February in the year 1063 from the creation of heaven and earth, and he presided for 354 years and four months; his dominion lasted until the year of the world 1417 and the fourth month. In these times writing was first invented, and letters were first devised after the manner or form of trees and plants; afterward, with time, they took on a more cultivated adornment and changed the appearance of their characters according to their peoples. The use of musical instruments began to multiply under the rule of this Raphael, and the exchange of merchandise was first invented among men. The rude boldness of sailing was first attempted in these times, and many other things of that kind.

The fifth governor of the world was Samael, angel of Mars, who began on the twenty-sixth day of the month of June in the year of the world 1417. He governed the world for 354 years and four months, until the year 1771 and the eighth month. Under his rule men imitated the nature of Mars. Likewise, under the governance of this Samael, the flood of Noah occurred in the year of the world 1656, as is clearly evident from the history of Genesis. And it should be noted, according to what the ancient philosophers have handed down, that whenever Samael, spirit of Mars, is ruler of the world, a notable alteration of monarchy arises. Religions and sects are changed; the laws of principalities are changed; kingdoms are transferred to foreigners. This we can easily find in order from the histories. Yet Samael does not display this disposition of his character immediately from the beginning of his rule, but after he has passed the middle of his governance. The same is also to be understood of the spirits of the other planets, as is clear in the histories: all of them, according to the properties of the nature of their stars, influence and act upon the lower things of this world.

The sixth governor of the world was Gabriel, angel of the moon, who began after Samael of Mars on the twenty-eighth day of the month of October, in the year of the world 1771 and the eighth month, and governed the world for 354 years and four months, until the year of the world 2126.

In these times human beings again multiplied and founded various cities. It should be noted that the Hebrews say the Flood occurred in the year of the world 1656, under the rule of Mars. But the Seventy translators, Isidore, and Bede confirm that it occurred in the year 2242, under the governance of Gabriel, the spirit of the moon; and this seems to me more consistent with the truth, because of a calculation which it is not the present time to set forth.

The seventh governor of the world was Michael, the angel of the sun, who began on February 24, in the year of the world, according to the common reckoning, 2116, and governed the world for 354 years and 4 months, until the year of the world’s age 2480 and the fourth month. Under the rule of the angel of the sun, as histories in accord with the truth relate, kings first began to exist among mortals. Among them Nimrod was the first who, from lust for domination, seized tyrannical power over his companions. The worship of gods also was established through the folly of human beings, and the poor began to worship their own rulers as gods. Various arts too were invented by human beings at this time: mathematics, astronomy, and magic; and the worship of the one God began to be offered to different creatures, and the knowledge of the true God gradually fell into oblivion through human superstition. In these times also architecture was invented, and human beings began to use more refined customs and institutions.

Thereafter, in the eighth order, Orifiel, the angel of Saturn, again began to govern the world on the twenty-sixth day of June, in the year from the origin of the world 2480 and the fourth month. He governed the world a second time for 354 years and 4 months, until the year of the world 2834 and the eighth month. Under the governance of this angel the nations multiplied, the earth was divided into regions, many kingdoms were established, the tower of Babel was built, the confusion of languages took place, and human beings were scattered over the whole earth. Human beings began to cultivate the earth more carefully, to lay out fields, sow grain, plant vineyards, set trees in the ground, and acquire more diligently whatever pertains to food and clothing. From this time first among human beings there began to be a distinction of nobility, since men who excelled the rest in morals and ability received the marks of glory from the elders of the earth according to their merits. From this point the whole world first began to come into human knowledge, since, as peoples multiplied everywhere, many kingdoms arose and various differences of languages followed.

But in the ninth order Anael, the spirit of Venus, again began to govern the world on the twenty-ninth day of October, in the year of the creation of heaven and earth 2834 and the eighth month, and he presided for 354 years and 4 months, until the year of the world 3189. In these times human beings, consigning the true God to oblivion, [worshiped] dead men and their statues [unclear].

began to worship and honor them as gods, an error that occupied the world for more than two thousand years. They introduced elaborate adornments of the body and various kinds of musical instruments, and people again began to pursue lust and the pleasure of the flesh excessively. In these times, too, people first began to establish and dedicate statues and temples to their gods. Incantations and works of sorcery were devised in these times by Zoroaster, the first king of the Bactrians, and by various others; Ninus, king of the Assyrians, defeated him in war.

In the tenth order, Zachariel, the angel of Jupiter, again began to govern on the last day of February, in the year 3189 from the creation of heaven and earth, and he governed, as usual, for 354 years and 4 months, until the year of the world 3543 and the fourth month. These were joyful times, which could truly be called golden, in which abundance of all things brought increase to the human race and gave the world its greatest adornment. In these times also God gave Abraham the law of circumcision and first promised the redemption of the human race through the incarnation of his only-begotten Son. Under this rule the holy patriarchs, founders of justice, became renowned, and the just were separated from the impious by their own will and conduct.

In these times also Jupiter became famous in Arcadia, who is also Lisanias, son of Heaven and of God, a king who first gave laws to the Arcadians, made them very civilized in their customs, taught the worship of God, built temples, established priests, and procured many useful things for the human race. For these reasons he was called Jupiter by them, and after death was regarded as a god. He derived his origin from the sons of Heber, namely Gerar, as the histories relate.

Prometheus also, son of Atlas, is said under this angel’s rule to have made human beings, because from rude people he made learned, humane, gentle people, polished in manners and knowledge. By art he made images move of themselves. He first devised the use of the ring, and likewise invented the scepter, the diadem, and the royal insignia. Other Jovian people also became renowned in these times, most wise men and women, who by their own genius handed down many inventions useful to the human race; because of the greatness of their wisdom, after death they were thought to have been numbered among the gods: namely Phoroneus, who first established laws and judgments among the Greeks; Sol, Minerva, Ceres, Serapis among the Egyptians; and many others.

In the eleventh order, Raphael, the spirit of Mercury, again undertook the government of the world on the first day of July, in the year of the world 3543 and the fourth month, and he presided for 354 years and 4 months, until the year 3897 from the creation of heaven and earth, and the eighth month. In these times, as is clearly evident from the histories of the ancients, people [unclear] wisdom.

The world began to apply itself still further to this; among these men were, last of all, the most illustrious men Mercury, Bacchus, Omogyrus, Isis, Inachus, Argus, Apollo, Cecrops, and many others who by their inventions benefited both the world then and posterity. In these times also various superstitions were instituted in the worship of idols; incantations and arts of diabolical images were wonderfully increased; and whatever subtlety and ingenuity is customarily attributed to Mercury was increasing in these times.

Moses, the most wise leader of the Hebrews, skilled in many matters and arts, a worshiper of the true and one God, in these times delivered the people of the Hebrews from the slavery of the Egyptians into freedom. In these times also Janus first reigned in Italy, and after him Saturn, who taught that fields should be enriched with manure and was regarded as a god. In these times also Cadmus invented the Greek letters, and Carmentis, daughter of Evander, the Latin. Under the rule of this Raphael, angel of Mercury, almighty God gave his people the law in writing through Moses, which gives clear testimony to the future birth of Christ in the flesh. A wonderful diversity of religions also arose in the world. In these times many Sibyls, prophets, soothsayers, haruspices, magi, seers, and prophets flourished, such as the Erythraean Sibyl, the Delphic, the Phrygian, and the others.

Twelfth in order, Samael, angel of Mars, again began to govern the world on the second day of the month of October, in the year of the world 3897, month 8. His rule lasted 354 years and 4 months, until the year 4152. Under his rule occurred that great and most famous destruction of Troy in Asia Minor, and there was an astonishing change in the monarchy of many kingdoms, and the founding anew of many cities, such as Paris, Mainz, Carthage, Naples, and many others. Many kingdoms also arose anew, such as those of the Lacedaemonians, Corinthians, Hebrews, and many others. In these times there were very great wars and battles of kings and nations throughout the whole world, and various changes of empires.

From this time the Venetians reckon the beginning both of their people and of their city from the Trojans. And it should be noted that very many other nations, both in Europe and in Asia, claim that their origin was taken from the Trojans; I have decided to grant them only as much credit as they themselves can persuade me of by sufficient testimony of the truth. Frivolous are the things they bring forward about their nobility and antiquity, wishing openly to boast, as though there had not been peoples in Europe before the destruction of the Trojans, and as though no Trojan among them had been ignoble.

Likewise, under the dominion of this planet Saul was made the first king of the Jews, and after him David, whose son King Solomon built the temple of the true God with all [unclear].

Gabriel built the temple in the midst of Jerusalem. From this time the Spirit of God, illuminating his prophets with a fuller light of his grace, caused them to foretell not only the future incarnation of the Lord and Savior, but also many other things, as the sacred histories testify. Among them were Nathan, Gad, Asaph, Ahijah, Jeremiah, Azariah, and many others. Homer, the Greek poet and writer of the fall of Troy, and Dares the Phrygian and Dictys of Crete, who were present at that fall and likewise described it, are read to have lived in these times.

In the thirteenth order Gabriel, the spirit of the moon, again began to govern the world on the thirtieth day of January, in the year from the origin of the universe 4252, and he presided over his rule for 354 years and four months, up to the year of the world 4606 and the fourth month. In these times many prophets flourished among the Hebrews, namely Elijah, Elisha, Micah, Obadiah, and many others, and there were various changes in the kingdom of the Hebrews. Lycurgus gave rights and laws to the Lacedaemonians. Capetus Silvius, Tiberinus Silvius, Remulus Silvius, Procas Silvius, and Numitor, kings of Italy, flourished under the guidance of this spirit.

Many new kingdoms also took their beginning under him, such as those of the Lydians, Medes, Macedonians, Spartans, and others. The monarchy of the Assyrians failed in Sardanapalus, and the kingdom of the Macedonians arose. Various laws were imposed upon men, and the worship of the true God was neglected; the religion of false gods spread exceedingly. The city of Rome was built under the rule of this spirit in the year 1484, which was the 239th year of Gabriel’s rule in his order. The kingdom of the Silvii failed, and that of Italy and the Romans began.

In these times also Thales, Solon, Chilon, Periander, Cleobulus, Bias, and Pittacus, the seven sages, flourished in Greece, and from then on philosophers and poets began to be held in esteem. Romulus, the first founder of the city, ruled Rome for thirty-seven years, a fratricide and a lover of sedition. After him Numa Pompilius ruled for forty-two years; he enlarged the worship of the gods and, in the time of Hezekiah king of the Jews, maintained the kingdom in great peace.

Toward the end of the governance of this spirit of the moon, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon captured Jerusalem, destroyed King Zedekiah, and led the whole people away captive. Jeremiah the prophet flourished, who foretold this destruction, and likewise their future liberation from Babylon. After Gabriel, Michael, the spirit of the sun, assumed the fourteenth rule of the world again. He began on the first day of the month of May, in the year of the world 4606 and the fourth month, and ruled the world in his order for 354 years, up to the year from the creation of the world 4960 and eight months. In the time of this rule Evil-merodach king of Babylon restored liberty and a king to the people of the Hebrews.

of Michael, who, as Daniel writes, stood for the people of the Jews, who had been entrusted to him by God. Likewise in these times the monarchy of the kingdom of the Persians began. Its first king, Darius, and its second, Cyrus, utterly destroyed that most powerful kingdom of Babylon in the days of Belshazzar, as Daniel and the prophets had foretold.

In these times the Cumaean Sibyl was renowned. She offered nine books to King Tarquinius Priscus to be bought for a price; in them was contained the sequence of future warnings and events of the whole Roman commonwealth. But when the king refused the price she demanded, the Sibyl burned the first three books before his eyes. For the remaining six she demanded the same price; and when he again refused it, she likewise gave three others to the fire to be burned. She would have done the same with the last ones, had not the king, persuaded by the counsel of his men, redeemed them from destruction by paying the price that had been demanded for all.

Likewise, after abolishing kings, the Romans established two consuls each year. Phalaris the tyrant occupied Sicily in those times. In those times magic was held in the highest value among the kings of the Persians. Pythagoras the philosopher and many others then flourished among the Greeks. The temple at Jerusalem and the city were rebuilt. Ezra the prophet, from memory, restored as an archetype the books of Moses that had been burned by the Chaldeans, who were also called Babylonians.

Xerxes, king of the Persians, led an army against the Greeks and accomplished little. Rome was taken, burned, and destroyed by the Gauls, with only the Capitol excepted, protected by a goose; [unclear]. The very famous wars of the Athenians also occurred in these times. Socrates and Plato the philosophers were renowned. The Romans, again abolishing the consuls, instituted tribunes and aediles, and in these times they were involved in many calamities.

Alexander the Great also, after the rule of Michael had been completed, reigned in Macedonia. He destroyed the monarchy of the Persians under Darius, and subjected all Asia, with part of Europe, to his empire. He lived thirty-three years, and ruled twelve years and five months. After his death endless wars followed, and many evils, and the monarchy was divided into four. Among the Hebrews contention began over the high priesthood. The kingdom of Syria was begun.

After Michael, in the fifteenth order, the spirit of Saturn, Orifiel, now for the third time assumed the rule of the world on the last day of September, in the year from the creation of the universe 4960, in the eighth month; and he presided for 354 years and four months, until the year of the world 5315. Under his rule the Punic War began between the Romans and the Carthaginians. The city of Rome was almost entirely consumed by fire and water. The Colossus, a cast bronze image 126 feet high, [unclear].

[Unclear] fell. In this one year the Romans had peace after the Punic war, though for 440 years they had never been without war. Jerusalem, together with the temple, was burned and destroyed by Antiochus Epiphanes; the history and wars of the Maccabees took place in those times. In the 606th year from the founding of the city, Carthage was destroyed and burned for seventeen continuous days. In Sicily there was a war of 70,000 slaves conspiring against their masters. Great portents were seen in Europe in those times: domestic animals fled to the woods, blood flowed, and a fiery globe flashed from heaven with a crash.

Mithridates, king of Pontus and Armenia, waged war with the Romans for forty years. The kingdom of the Hebrews was restored, which had been interrupted for 575 years, from the time of Zedekiah down to Aristobulus. Likewise the German Teutons invaded the Romans, and after many battles they are said to have been defeated, with 160,000 killed, besides the countless people who killed themselves with their households under the consuls Caius and Manlius; nevertheless many Romans had previously been destroyed by them. Finally the civil wars, since they lasted forty years, greatly wore down the Romans. Three suns appeared at Rome, not for long, but soon they were reduced to one.

A few years later Gaius Julius Caesar usurped the Roman Empire, which Octavian Augustus enlarged after him, and he united Asia, Africa, and Europe into one monarchy. He ruled for thirty-six years, and through him God brought peace to the whole world.

In the year of the world 5199, the forty-second year of Octavian Caesar Augustus, in the 245th year of the aforesaid rule of Orifiel, spirit of Saturn, in the eighth month, on the twenty-fifth day of the month of December, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born of the Virgin Mary at Bethlehem in Judea.

Note how beautiful is the ordering of divine providence: the world was first created under the rule of Orifiel, and under his third rule it was mercifully redeemed, restored, and renewed, so that such a harmony of events seems to give no small credibility to this description of the world’s rule by the seven planetary spirits. In the first rule of Orifiel there was one monarchy of the whole world; under the second, as we said above, it was divided into many. Again under the third, as we see, it was recalled into unity, although, if we measure rightly, it becomes clear that even in Orifiel’s second rule there was one monarchy of the whole world, when the tower of Babylon was being built.

From this point the kingdom of the Jews was taken away; the victims and continual sacrifice ceased; nor will liberty be restored to the Jews before the third revolution of Michael the spirit, which will occur after the birth of Christ in the year 1880, in the eighth month, that is, in the year of the world 7070, in the eighth month. The great priesthood of the one Christian Church was transferred from Judea to Rome in Peter. In the 299th year of the third rule of the angel Orifiel, in those times many simple people of the Jews and Gentiles took up the Christian religion [unclear].

whom no human instruction, but the Spirit of God, enlightened. Then the world began to be recalled to the innocence of its first simplicity. On both sides, while Orifiel, the spirit of Saturn, governed it, heavenly things were mingled with earthly, and two sceptres of the world were given to men, namely of spiritual and worldly things; of these the Most High seems to have conferred one on Caesar, the other on the pope. For many Christians were cruelly killed by the rulers of the world for the faith which they preached. Around the end of Orifiel’s rule Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans, and the Jews were scattered into every land. After eleven hundred thousand had been killed and 80,000 sold, the rest fled; and thus the Romans utterly destroyed Judea.

In the sixteenth order, after Orifiel, Anael, the spirit of Venus, resumed the governance of the whole world for the third time, on the last day of January, in the year 5315 from the creation of heaven and earth, but 109 from the birth of Christ; and he governed the world for 354 years and 4 months, that is, until the year of the world 5669, month 4, but of the Lord’s nativity in the flesh 463. And it should be noted that through almost the whole time of this rule of the angel of Venus the church of the Christians flourished in persecutions and prevailed, with countless thousands of men killed for the faith of Christ. Moreover, several heresies began to spring up in the church in these times; these, with time, were extinguished not without the labor and blood of good men. In these times many men most learned and most eloquent in every kind of knowledge became renowned: theologians, astronomers, physicians, orators, historiographers, and others like these, not only among the Gentiles but also among the Christians. At last the persecution of the unbelievers against the church ceased, after Constantine the Great Caesar had taken up the faith, in the year of the world 5539, after the middle of the rule of Anael himself, the angel of Venus; although even afterward it was at times disturbed in part by the impious, nevertheless for a long time it remained very quiet throughout. From this time the human race, which from the time of King Ninus had wandered miserably for 1300 years in the worship of idols, was mercifully recalled to the knowledge of the one God. In these times arts of varied subtlety were increased, and in accordance with the nature of Venus took on adornment and growth; for they change men’s morals with the time, and dispose lower bodies according to the influence of the higher ones. The mind indeed is free, and does not receive the influence of the stars, except insofar as, through the too great commerce which it has with the body, by inclining itself it stains its own affection. For the angels who are movers of the orbs destroy or overturn none of those things which nature has established. A comet of unusual magnitude preceded the death of Constantine. The Arian heresy disturbed the holy church in many places. At the end of this rule, in the time of Julian Caesar, crosses appeared on the linen garments of men. In Asia and Palestine there followed wars and pestilences, famine, in the same places in which the crosses

they appeared in these times, about the year of the Lord 360. The Franks had their beginning in Germany; afterward, devastating Gaul, they called the conquered land Francia from their own name. The description of Francia was great in length and breadth. Its metropolis: Mainz. But now only Wurzburg. Bavarians, Swabians, Rhenish people, Saxons, Thuringians, and the districts of the pontificate today occupy a great part of Francia in Germany. Likewise, in the 280th year of the government of this Anael, the Romans declined, the head of the empire, whose city was captured and burned by the Goths, the first imperial seat having been transferred under Constantine into Greece; this was hostile, and the cause of the whole decline of the monarchy. For around the end of this rule of Anael there arose Radagisus, Alaric, Athaulfus, kings of the Goths, and afterward Genseric of the Vandals, Attila also of the Huns, who, fighting through all Europe, miserably tore the empire apart, as is clear in these histories. After Anael, in order the seventeenth, Zachariel, spirit of Jove, took up the rule of the world for the third time on the first day of June, in the year of the world 3669, the fourth month, but of the Lord’s nativity 463, the seventh month, and he continued for 354 years and 4 months, namely to the year of the world 6023 and the eighth month, and of the Lord 817. In these times many, for love of Christian philosophy, withdrew to the desert; many portents also appeared: comets, earthquakes, rain of blood. Merlin, born in [Tumba?], foretold wondrous things at the beginning of this rule. Arthur, whom the common people call [Arcum], the most famous king of Britain, defeated the barbarians, restored peace to the Church, performed many very great deeds as victor, enlarged the faith of Christ, and subjected all Gaul, Norway, Dacia, and many provinces to his empire. He was the most glorious of all the kings of his time; after many excellent deeds had been performed, he appeared nowhere, being awaited for many years by the Britons to return. About him once the [unclear] composed wonderful little songs. While he reigned, England was in flower; thirty kingdoms served him. In these times the monks in the order of the Church of God began to be multiplied. Theodoric, Arian king of the Goths, possessed all Italy and killed the consul Boethius. All things were full of disturbance, both the empire and the Church: Zeno and Anastasius, Arian emperors in the East; Theodoric and his successors in Italy; Honorius, king of the Vandals, exercised no small tyranny in Africa. At last Clodoneus, king of the Franks in Gaul, having become Christian, overcame the Goths and imposed peace upon affairs, although not everywhere on earth, in the time of Saint Benedict, in the five-hundredth year of the Christians, or thereabout. At the beginning of the rule of this angel Zachariel, of Jove, whose own spirit it is, he began to change empires and kingdoms, as the histories variously declare was done in this revolution; and what he himself could not do, he ordained to be done by Raphael, the angel of Mercury, his successor, in Charles of the Franks. For many kingdoms failed under these 350 years: those of the Goths, Vandals, Burgundians, Lombards, Thuringians,

[unclear] the Alemanni, the Bavarians, and many other things; the emperor Justinian first adorned the commonwealth most splendidly with laws. Several men flourished under Zachariel. Justinian built the church of Saint Sophia [unclear] at Constantinople. The empire was often divided, confused, and full of disturbances. Many signs appeared in these times, and are found in the histories. Cosdrai, king of the Persians, took Jerusalem; Heraclius later killed him. Muhammad the Arab introduced the sect of the Saracens, in these times, around the year of Christ 600, after the Roman empire in Asia was already seen to have been entirely taken away. Dagobert, king of Francia, overcame and killed the Angles, who were then called Saxons. Note, finally, that from this point the Christian faith began gradually to fail in Asia and Africa, under the entry of the sect of the Saracens, which has now defiled the whole world, [unclear] Europe, in which the religion of Christ was multiplied and spread widely through the monks of the order of Saint Benedict. Around the year of the Lord 774 crosses appeared on people’s clothing, and not long afterward the Roman empire was divided, the transfer of the monarchy to the Franks being made in Charles, who rescued the Church, and at the same time the empire, from destruction, and performed many deeds. Under him, after his victory, the name of the Westphalians began in Saxony.

In the eighteenth place after Zachariel, Louis, angel Raphael, spirit of Mercury, undertook the governance of the world on the third [?] day, the second day of the month of November, in the year 6023 from the creation of the universe, in the eighth month, but in the year 817 from the Lord’s nativity; and he presided over the world for 354 years and 4 months, that is, until the year of the world 6378, and of the Lord 1171. At the beginning of this revolution of Mercury, the monarchy of the Roman empire, as we have said, was transferred to Charles the Great. After Charles, his son Louis held the empire for 25 years; when he died, his sons fought among themselves and in turn weakened the strength of the empire. The Normans devastated Gaul. Rome was twice defiled by the Saracens. Under Louis II, blood rained from the sky in Italy for three days. In Saxony a certain village, with all its buildings and people, was swallowed in a moment by a terrible opening of the earth. Around the year of the Lord 910 great disturbances took place in Italy, and Italy withdrew from the Frankish empire and established kings of its own for itself. The first of these was Berengar, duke of Friuli, to whom seven succeeded in order for nearly fifty years, until the transfer of the empire to the Germans. To the first Otto, that is, in the year of Christ 962, the empire was transferred from the Franks to the Germans; Otto was made the first emperor, and from this point the monarchy began to be reformed. His son Otto and his grandson Otto succeeded him in the empire. Under them the Hungarians were converted to the Christian faith. Otto III, about to die without children, afterward established the electors of the empire, in the year of the Christians 1002, as they remain until the present day. Jerusalem is again taken by the Saracens. Many portents are

and more than 100,000 men perished. The Tartars devastated Hungary and Poland, Greater Armenia first, and many regions having been overcome. In the year of the Christians 1244, a certain Jew at Toledo, while digging, found a book in which it was written: “In the third world Christ will be born of the Virgin Mary, and will suffer at the hands of the Jews.” Soon believing, he was baptized. The third world: the third revolution of Saturn’s [sphere?] was that of which it was said above, at the beginning of which Christ was born of the Virgin.

The Roman pontiffs, annulling Frederick as impious, said that it had been vacant for 28 years, until the election of Rudolf, count of Habsburg, setting among the kings by election of the princes first Henry, count of Schwarzenburg, a Thuringian; William, count of Holland; Conrad, son of Frederick; Alfonso, king of Castile; and Richard, count of Cornwall, brother of the king of England. And evils were multiplied on the earth.

In these times, around the years of the Lord 1260, the confederation of the Swiss first began: a people small in number, which in time grew, and many of the nobles they killed, others they drove from their territories. They are warlike men, and their commonwealth also is known to all the peoples of Germany.

In the year of the Christians 1273, Rudolf of Habsburg was made emperor by election of the princes, and he reigned 18 years, a man prudent in all things and very good; from him all the dukes of Austria afterwards descended. The Tartars, invading the lands of the Christians, Constantinople, and Greece, brought many losses upon the Christians. The Saracens occupy many cities in Asia and kill more than four hundred times a hundred Christians.

After Rudolf had died, Adolf of Nassau was elected king and reigned 6 years. Albert, son of Rudolf, afterwards overcoming him in battle near Worms, killed him. And he was elected emperor in the year 1298, and reigned 10 years, and was killed by his brother’s son. The order of the Templars, [unclear], Pope Clement V destroyed. The island of Rhodes was taken by the Christians from the hands of the Saracens in the fourth year of the siege and of continuous war against them.

After Albert had been killed by his nephew, Henry VIII was made emperor, count of Luxembourg, who reigned 5 years. When he had died, Louis IV of Bavaria reigned as emperor for 32 years, beginning in the year 1315. To him the Roman pontiffs gave the crown. Frederick, duke of Austria, opposed himself to him, but was overcome by him. After Louis, Charles IV of Bohemia was made emperor; he raised the bishopric of Prague to an archbishopric. He reigned 31 years. There were very great earthquakes. This Charles newly instituted many things concerning tolls in favor of the prince-electors. Günther, count of Schwarzenburg, calling himself king, opposed Charles as emperor, but he never prevailed. After Charles, his son Wenceslaus reigned 22 years; after him Jodocus, margrave of Moravia. They succeed Sigismund.

1401.

[Under?] Wenceslaus the German, Wenceslaus was deposed. Leopold, duke of Austria, with eight counts and more than 4,000 men, was killed by the Swiss while fighting in battle. Under Wenceslaus, king of the Bohemians and emperor, the sect of the Hussites took its beginning; after he had been deposed, Rupert, count palatine of the Rhine and duke of Bavaria, was elected and ruled for ten years. In the year of the Lord 1396, the Christians declared war on the Saracens, but it turned out badly because of the arrogance of the French, since more than 100,000 of our men fell, apart from the captives, among whom was John, duke of the Burgundians. There were many wars in these times. In the year [1411?] Sigismund became emperor for twenty-seven years. He laid waste Bohemia for the extirpation of heresies, but accomplished little. The kingdom of France was cruelly ravaged and afflicted by the English and the Burgundians. When Sigismund had died, Albert, duke of Austria, his son-in-law, succeeded him, in the year of the Christians 1438. He ruled the kingdom only two years: a most excellent man and worthy of empire. When he died, Frederick, duke of Austria, son of Ernest, was made emperor by the election of the princes, and ruled for fifty-six years, a man divine in talent and peaceful in spirit. He began, however, in the year of the Lord 1440. In the year of the Christians 1453, Constantinople was taken by the Turks through the betrayal of a certain [unclear], and gradually all Greece fell away from the Christian faith; for in a short time many kingdoms and provinces of the Christians were laid waste and captured by the Turks. The Christians had among themselves many very serious wars in these times: in Gaul, England, Saxony, Westphalia, Prussia, Flanders, Swabia, and other places. In these times the art of printing was newly invented at Mainz, the metropolis of Germany, with marvellous industry, by the gift of divinity. In the year of the Christians 1456, the Turks were overthrown in Hungary; through the faith many of the faithful perished. The pilgrimage of boys to Saint Michael was marvellous. There were earthquakes in the kingdom of Naples, and more than 40,000 men perished. In the year of the Lord 1462, Mainz was captured and the metropolis of the Franks plundered. Charles, duke of Burgundy, defeated the French in the year 1465; afterward, in the year 1467, he destroyed Dinant and Liege. In the year 1473, he entered Guelders and obtained it by force; likewise also the whole duchy of Lorraine. A comet appeared through the month of January in the year of the Lord 1472. Charles, duke of Burgundy, afterward besieged the town of Neuss for the space of a year, in the year 1474; he was later killed in battle in the year 1477, a magnanimous prince. The Turks captured many cities of the Christians in these times: Negroponte in Euboea, the kingdom of the Bosnians, the duchy of [spetis?], Achaea, Mytilene, and several kingdoms in the East. In the year 1476 a gathering of fools took place in the France of Germany at Niklashausen, full of errors. In 1480 the Turks with a great army besieged the Rhodians, but did not prevail. In the same year

departing from Rhodes, they took Hydruntum, with more than 12,000 Christians killed, only 22 having escaped by flight. And in the following year Machumet, emperor of the Turks, died; Baysetus, his first-born, succeeded him in the kingdom, reigning for 27 years. In the year of the Christians 1486, Maximilian, son of the emperor Frederick, was established king of the Romans at Frankfurt, and in the year 1508 was hailed as Caesar by Pope Julius. He instituted the order of the knighthood of Saint George against heretics and Turks; he subdued [unclear] in war. The rebellious Sicambri he attacks in war up to this day; he will be fortunate against all treaty-breakers. The king of the French, persecutor of the empire in his usual manner, has been discovered to be plotting innovations by treacheries. May the Almighty protect those assigned under the rule of Samael.

In the year 1508 the Venetians, rebels against the empire of Caesar, were marked by both ban and war. The punishment of obstinacy will be the reward of satisfaction taken in counsel. Around the end of this third revolution of Samael, the image of Altercation will pass over to the first, and there will be the betrayal of many. For unless Y is brought back to alpha by God’s service, there will be a transfer of some monarchy, or of some great man, and of some kingdom; a great sect of religion will arise, the destruction of old religions. It must be feared that the fourth Beast may lose one head. In Samael Mars foretold first the flood; in the second, the destruction of Troy; in the third, around the end, there will be great damage to unity. From preceding things let the future things that follow be judged. This third revolution of Mars will not be completed without prophecy and the institution of some new religion. From this point, in the year of the Christians 1508, there remain 17 years until the end of Samael’s government; in these years those [unclear] will give the beginning of the evils of the figure. For in the year of the Christians 1525, crosses seen on men’s garments before the decade that has passed will show their effect. But 13 from here: cited by law, you will yield place to one who does not know; greater after death you will rise again for me in the third, for it is permitted that you cover yourself with cloud.

In the twentieth order, Gabriel, angel of the moon, will receive the government of the world for the third time in the year of the world 6732, in the fourth month, on the fourth day of the month of June, in the year of the Christians 1515; and he will govern the world for 354 years and 4 months, until the year of the world 7086 and the eighth month, and likewise of the Lord’s nativity 1879 and 11 months. The future sequence of this revolution requires prophecy. I have not written these things assertively, most sacred Caesar; each person to whom there is no injury to the orthodox faith may believe as he judges. There are indeed some who have reckoned lunar months in these matters; if you are led to agree with them, those things that I have written otherwise must be changed. With my own hand also I attest, and with my mouth I confess, that in all these things I believe nothing, I admit nothing, except what the Catholic Church believes and what has been approved by the authority of its doctors. The rest, as vain, fabricated, and superstitious, I reject and despise.

Printed at Nuremberg at the expense of Johannes Haselberg, in the year XXII.