Few figures have captivated the imagination quite like Michel de Nostredame, better known as Nostradamus. Born in 1503, this French astrologer, physician, and reputed seer penned a series of cryptic quatrains that have intrigued and mystified readers for centuries. His book, Les Prophéties, published in 1555, contains 942 poetic predictions that have been interpreted to foretell major historical events.