Who invented horoscopes and astrology?

Question

Who/When/Why was it invented or discovered?

Answer 1

Invented? Discovered? Wow. So long ago. One of the first "religions".

Answer 2

This is what I can add to what other contributors have already posted :

Origin of the word "horoscope"
Horo originated from Hora which is abbreviation of Aho Ratri, meaning day and night.

Regarding the origins of concepts used in astrology...
The basic theories seem to have been formulated before the study of astronomy.People and their behaviour, their nature were observed and classified. Some patterns may have been noticed. Later, when astronomy came into being these patterns were co related with astronomy, leading to what we now know as astrology. The basis for this study is observation of people and not the observation of stars/planets. My personal belief is that this co relation of observations on earth and astronomy took place around year 2000 BC. The beginning of observations of patterns started with the start of life itself.

About the question that which civilisation discovered astrology...
I saw an interesting research based TV programme on discovery channel. The scientists found that there is same astronomy based architecture in structures like stone henge, Angkor vat etc. Though these structures are at different locations, all of them have architecture based on night sky of 10500 BC !!

I do not know how correct that is but it sure is intriguing.

Answer 3

The two following URL’s will give you an idea of how Astrology and the horoscopes started and by whom. However, this does not mean that Astrology and Horoscopes as known today are what they were then. Charlatanism of the Middle Ages have created a mockery of the original thoughts of the ancients adding to the perplexity and to the unsubstantiated meaning and spirituality of both topics.
NDS

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrology#Origins

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrology#Horoscopic_astrology

Answer 4

The origins of astrology and the Zodiac are far older than the earliest recorded history.

Horoscopes are a relatively recent phenomenon.

The ancients were keen observers of the constellations and the heavens and had many astronomical discoveries long before European scientists (re)discovered them.

Answer 5

I've studied astrology as a discipline and also as an anthropologist. Astrology is one of those disciplines that arose around the same time in many different cultures. These include Chinese, Egyptians, Babylonians, Chaldeans, Indians, and others in their own forms like Mayans and Celts. The idea traveled around by "diffusion" but no one knows which culture originated it. I believe it has roots in animism and shamanism... I see a correlation between the "animals" of the zodiac and people's behavior in expressing those qualities. As far as its use as a prognostication tool, that too is in common with many cultures who use different forms of divination.

Answer 6

Of the three branches of astrology [Western, Jyotish, and Chinese/East Asian], the earliest known developed form can be traced to the earliest phases of Babylonian history, which is around the third millennium B.C.. It developed it's way around, emerging in Greece around the middle of 4th century B.C., and in Rome prior to or at the start of the Christian era.

Answer 7

The ancient Egyptians

Answer 8

it wasnt invented it was discovered and given a random name

Answer 9

I did back in the 80's

Answer 10

long time ago. the magicians invented it