The nature of astrology in Janus Pannonius’ works composed in Hungary

Abstract

Astrology plays a significant role in the Neo-Latin poetry of Janus Pannonius (1434–1472), the most renowned humanist of Hungary. The article investigates the various forms of astrological ideas in that part of his oeuvre where a specific interest in astrological topics can be witnessed: the works concerned are letters, elegies and epigrams composed in Hungary. Previous research into this topic has neglected to face the problem of the heterogeneity of astrology and to explore in detail the biographicalhistorical context, and some scholars have argued that Janus deeply believed in astrology. Instead, I will conclude that the appearance of astrological ideas can simply be explained by biographical, literary historical, intellectual historical factors. The argument concerns not only one particular person but also the intellectual life of mid-fifteenth century Hungary, and the habits of the Renaissance mind in general.