History of Monsters 93

and for good reason Cicero called the forehead the doorway of the soul. Practitioners of metoposcopy, therefore, study the lines of the forehead assigned to the different stages of a person’s life; if these appear well-ordered and not at all broken, they portend a happy and peaceful course of life, whereas they predict the opposite when the lines of the forehead are slanted, wrinkled, and poorly situated. However, for the sake of brevity, we shall intentionally omit further detail on this. Another subject worthy of consideration would be divination from the fingernails, but since the illustrious Camillo Baldi, a philosopher of no small reputation in our time, published a book on this type of foretelling while he was still living, we will set this aside and move on to other matters.

CHARACTER AND CUSTOMS

Since the nations of the world are various and almost infinite, we can also affirm that human customs are innumerable, for it is commonly said that there are as many ways of life as there are nations. The difficulty of the subject increases, however, because ancient customs grow obsolete day by day, and new rites are constantly introduced through commerce with different peoples. If we consult Hippocrates on this difficult matter, he seems to derive human character from the nature of the location and dwelling place; he observes milder manners in people from the plains than in those who inhabit the mountains. Indeed, he believes that those living on the eastern and northern sides of mountains are imbued with effeminate traits, while he is of the opinion that those dwelling on the opposite side are full of wild and savage ways. He identifies the inhabitants of the sea and neighboring regions as merchants, as well as those skilled in the arts of sailing and swimming.

Astrologers investigate the customs of nations differently, ascribing the diversity of manners to the various natures of the stars under which nations lie. Thus, they place the Britons, Germans, and the inhabitants of Narbonnese Gaul under the power of Aries and Mars, predicting that they are marked by fierce dispositions. They refer Italy, Apulia, and Cisalpine Gaul to the sign of Leo and the Sun, observing benign manners in these peoples. The Etruscans, Celts, and Spaniards they bring under the dominion of Sagittarius and Jupiter, determining that they are lovers of liberty, simplicity, and cleanliness. Over the coastal regions of Asia Minor, the Cyclades Islands, and Cyprus, they set Taurus and Venus, and consequently observe voluptuous habits among them. They declare the Greeks and Cretans to be cultivators of learning, as they are subject to Virgo and Mercury.

The Macedonians, Thracians, and Illyrians, since they lie under Capricorn and Saturn, are pronounced to be strangers to any gentleness of character. Parthia, Media, and Persia, owing to the dominion of Jupiter and Venus, use elegant clothing and indulge in luxuries. Assyria, Babylonia, and Mesopotamia, under the power of Virgo and Mercury, devote themselves to the mathematical disciplines. India, Ariana, and Gedrosia are under Saturn; for this reason, the inhabitants are not only misshapen but also imbued with wild behaviors. The Jews, Coele-Syrians, and Idumeans are brought under the dominion of Scorpio, Aries, and Mars, whence they are known for their treachery, boldness, and impiety.

The Phoenicians and Chaldeans are under Leo and the Sun, and thus take pleasure in simplicity, humanity, and the observation of the stars. Arabia Felix nourishes people who live with dexterity and a generous way of life, because they are said to be under Sagittarius and Jupiter. Since the Armenians and Hyrcanians possess noble manners, they are referred to Gemini and Mercury. The Bactrians and Caspians, together with the Scythians, obey Libra and Venus, wherefore they indulge in music and pleasures. The Sauromatians, Oxianians, or Oxolae, following Aquarius and Saturn, are by no means lacking in ferocity. The Phrygians, Bithynians, and Colchians belong to Cancer and the Moon; hence they are said to be fickle and effeminate. Syria, Commagene, and Cappadocia, since they are under Scorpio and Mars, abound in wicked customs and endure great hardships.

Lydia, Cilicia, and Pamphylia belong to Pisces and Jupiter; thus they devote themselves to trade and easily embrace all manner of contracts. Cancer and the Moon rule over the Numidians, Carthaginians, and Africans, making them by no means averse to commerce. Those inhabiting Mauritania and Gaetulia follow Scorpio and Mars; for that reason they are imbued with warlike character and are flesh-eaters. The Nasamones and Garamantes are subject to Pisces and Jupiter, and therefore with generous