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Melampus, On Moles
An Ancient Greek Manual of Divination by Bodily Marks, translated by Tim Spalding, ©1999-
2003
This translation was put up as a supplement to my web page Ancient Astrology and Divination
on the Web. To my knowledge it is the first translation in English, and the first into a modern
language since that remarkable polymath Girolamo Cardano produced a French version. Quite
frankly, I haven't looked closely at this text since 1999, when I wrote this preliminary
translation while working on a translation and commentary to Melampus' much longer work
on divination by ticks and twitches. I am putting it up now because I don't see myself
"finishing" either in the near future, and having an imperfect version out there is better than
nothing.
Together with my translation I include an 18th c. Latin translation for Greekless readers, and
the Greek text. The text is coded for a popular scholarly Greek font. I may scan the text
someday. Scholars will find the text on the TLG (Thesaurus Lingae Graecae) CD-ROM.
The Greek word elaia means "olive." The word came to be applied to moles, presumably
because they are dark and rounded. Sometimes it was generalized to "blemish," as is done
with the Latin equivalent, Naevus. I posit that it could also meant "birthmark" or apply to
other permanent or long-lasting skin marks. This is because the text of the Peri Elaion refers
to some "moles" being "ruddy" in color. I've never seen a ruddy mole, but "port wine stains"
are the most common form of birthmarks. To my knowledge, Greek don't get the Irishman's
red-tan freckles. Greeks with unusual dermatological conditions are invited to send jpegs.
The most recent edition of Melampos' Peri Elaion Tou Somatos was published in 1780 by J. G.
F. Franz in his Scriptores Physiognomoniae Veteres (Ancient Authors of Physiognomy). Franz's
edition, in turn, drew on earlier editions. There is certainly need for a comprehensive
reexamination of the original Greek manuscripts, and a search for Arabic and other
translations.
In the manuscripts, Peri Elaion Tou Somatos follows Melampos' far longer Peri Palmon
Mantikes (On Divination by Twitches). My translation of that is "in the works" (don't hold your
breath).
It is difficult to say whether "On Birthmarks" was originally only 450 words, but it is possible
that it was longer. On Twitches comes in a number of abbreviated versions. It also wanes less
verbose as it progresses.
Editions
Translations
Latin translation
# English Translation Greek Text
(Franz 1780)
3 If it is on the nose of a man, Si fit in naso viri, et eius �E�n � e�w t�n
and his skin is ruddy, he will color flavuus fit, =�na to� �ndr�w,
be insatiate in lovemaking, insatiabilis erit in coitu, ka� � xroi� a�to�
also when she has a quin etiam naevum �stai pur=a,
birthmark also upon the habet in occulto. Si sit �k�restow �stai t�w
privates. If it is on the nose in naso, aut in oculo sunous�aw, �ti ka�
or the eye of a woman, the mulieris, idem ei e�w t� krupt�n �xei
same will happen as with a continget ac viro, quin �la�an. �E�n �
man, this too when he has a etiam ipsa in occulto e�w t�n =�na �
birthmark on her privates. If naevum habet. Si ad e�w t�n �fyalm�n
upon the side of the nose of a latus nasi maris, t�w gunaik�w,
man, he will go abroad from peregrinabitur de �mo�vw �pob�setai
land to land. If upon a regione in regionem. In t� �ndr�, �ti ka�
woman she will have smelly femina vero, pedibus a�t� e�w t�
feet, this too when she has a debilis fiet, quin etiam krupt�n �la�an
birthmark on her privates. in abdito naevum �xei. �E�n e�w t�
habet. pl�gion t�w =in�w
to� �ndr�w,
jenite�sei �p�
x�raw e�w x�ran.
�Ep� d� gunaik�w,
kakopod�na
gen�setai, �ti ka�
e�w krupt�n �la�an
�xei.
6 If the mark is upon the lips Si in labiis viri naeus �E�n e�w xe�lh
of a man, he will be an sit, maximus erit helvo. to� �ndr�w �la�a
overeater. The same applies Perinde et in �, pol�fagaw �stai.
to a woman. mulieribus. �Omo�vw ka� �p�
gunaik�n.
7 If a man has a mark on his Si in mento vir habet �E�n e�w t�n
chin (or wattles), he will be naevum, dives erit auri p�gvna �xei �
rich in gold and silver. The atque argenti. Idem �n�r �la�an,
same also for a woman, when etiam in mullere, quin plo�siow �stai
she has one on her spleen. etiam (naevum) versus xrus�� ka�
lienem habet. �rgur��. T� a�t�
ka� �p� gunaik�w,
�ti ka� e�w t�n
spl�na �xei.
8 If a man has one on his ear, Si in auribus vir �E�n e�w t� �ta
he will be rich and respected. (naevum) habet, �xei � �n�r,
The same also for a woman, opulentus erit et bonae plo�siow ka�
when she has a mark on her famae. Idem et in e�loghm�now �stai.
thigh. muliere,[?] quin etiam T� a�t� ka� �p�
naevum in femine gunaik�w, �ti ka�
habet. e�w t�n mhr�n
�la�an �xei.
9 If a man has one on his Si in collo (naevum) vir E�n e�w t�n
throat, he will be very rich. habet, erit admodum tr�xhlon �xei �
The same also for a woman. dives. Similiter et �n�r, plo�siow �stai
femina. sf�dra. �Omo�vw
ka� �p� gunaik�w.
10 If a man has it on the back of Si pone cervicem vir �E�n e�w t�n
his throat, he will be (naevum) habet, a�x�na �xei �p�sv
beheaded. decollabitur. � �n�r
�pokefal�zetai.
13 If upon the arm-pit, he will Si in axilla reperiet E�n e�w t�n m�lhn,
take a rich and beautiful divitem atque l�cetai guna�ka
woman. And a woman formosam coniugem. polous�an ka� kal�n.
likewise. Ita et mulier. Ka� � gun�
�moi�w.
17 If upon the belly, both will be Si in ventre, ambo �E�n e�w t�n
gluttons. erunt voraces. koil�an, f�goi
�mf�teroi �sontai.
24 If upon the ankle a man will Si in calcaneo, vir �E�n e�w t�n
get an unbeautiful wife who (uxorem) tunica �str�galon � �n�r
dresses well (??); but the spoliatam faciet, ut et (t�n guna�ka)
woman, gets a husband of mulier maritum �pr�svpon poie�
wealth (??). auctoritate. �p� t�w xitvn�aw:
� d� gun�, t�n
�ndra ap� t�w
�jous�aw.