ACHMET
son of Seirim (
Ἀχμὲτ υἱὸς Σειρείμ).
Works
On the Interpretation of Dreams
(Ὀνειροκριτικά）
Author
He is the author of a work on the Interpretation of Dreams,
Ὀνειροκριτικά, and is probably the same person as Abú Bekr Mohammed Ben Sírín, whose work on the same subject is still extant in Arabic in the Royal Library at Paris, (
Catal. Cod. Manuscr, Biblioth. Reg. Paris. vol. i. p. 230, cod. MCCX.,) and who was born A. H. 33, (A. D. 653-4,) and died A. H. 110. (A. D. 728-9.) (See Nicoll and Pusey,
Catal. Cod. Manuscr. Arab. Biblioth. Bodl. p. 516.)
This conjecture will seem the more probable when it is recollected that the two names
Ahmed or
Achmet and
Mohammed, however unlike each other they may appear in English, consist in Arabic of four letters each, and differ only in the first.
There must, however, be some difference between Achmet's work, in the form in which we have it, and that of Ibn Sirin, as the writer of the former (or the translator) appears from internal evidence to have been certainly a Christian. (c. 2. 150, &c.)
Editions
It exists only in Greek, or rather (if the above conjecture as to its author be correct) it has only been published in that language.
It consists of three hundred and four chapters, and professes to be derived from what has been written on the same subject by the Indians, Persians, and Egyptians.
Latin Editions
It was translated out of Greek into Latin about the year 1160, by Leo Tuscus, of which work two specimens are to be found in Casp. Barthii Adversaria. (31.14, ed. Francof. 1624, foll.) It was first published at Frankfort, 1577, 8vo., in a Latin translation, made by Leunclavius, from a very imperfect Greek manuscript, with the title " Apomasaris Apotelesmata, sive de Significatis et Eventis Insomniorum, ex Indorum, Persarum, Aegyptiorumque Disciplina." The word
Apomasares is a corruption of the name of the famous Albumasar, or Abú Ma'shar, and Leunclavius afterwards acknowledged his mistake in attributing the work to him.
Greek Editions
It was published in Greek and Latin by Rigaltius, and appended to his edition of the Oneirocritica of Artemidorus, Lutet. Paris. 1603, 4to., and
some Greek various readings are inserted by Jac. De Rhoer in his Otium Daventriense, p. 338, &c. Daventr. 1762, 8vo.
Translation
It has been translated into Italian, French, and German.
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W.A.G]
