Ptolemy's Geography

An Annotated Translation of the Theoretical Chapters

By: Ptolemy, J. Lennart Berggren (Translator), Alexander Jones (Translator)

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Paperback | 26 March 2002

At a Glance

Paperback
208 Pages

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25.5 x 18 x 1.5

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Ptolemy's "Geography" is the only book on cartography to have survived from the classical period and one of the most influential scientific works of all time. Written in the second century AD, for more than fifteen centuries it was the most detailed topography of Europe and Asia available and the best reference on how to gather data and draw maps. Ptolemy championed the use of astronomical observation and applied mathematics in determining geographical locations. But more importantly, he introduced the practice of writing down coordinates of latitude and longitude for every feature drawn on a world map, so that someone else possessing only the text of the "Geography" could reproduce Ptolemy's map at any time, in whole or in part, at any scale.

Here Berggren and Jones render an exemplary translation of the "Geography" and provide a thorough introduction, which treats the historical and technical background of Ptolemy's work, the contents of the "Geography, " and the later history of the work. Also included here are unique color reproductions of maps from manuscripts and early printed editions of the text, representative of the beautiful and practical cartographic artistry that flowed from Ptolemy's work. Historians of science, classicists, and anyone who enjoys beautiful maps or map making will find this work an indispensable addition to their library.

Industry Reviews

"A superlative new translation... In Berggren and Jones [Ptolemy] has, at long last, found his ideal exponents."--Peter Green, London Review of Books "Arguably, [Ptolemy's Geography] has been the most lastingly influential of all works in the earth sciences... This is a most useful volume, destined to be a primary source for classical scholars as well as for historians of science."--William A.S. Sarjeant, Earth Sciences History "By allowing us to hear in English the voice of one who was both the chief cartographer of the Greek world and the inspiration for the fifteenth-century cartographic revolution, Berggren and Jones have masterfully met a long-felt need."--Robert W. Karrow, Jr., Technology and Culture "Until now there has been no reliable translation of the Geography in English. Berggren and Jones have triumphantly filled that lack for the crucial portion of the work, the portion in which Ptolemy speaks as scientific geographer."--Lionel Casson, Classical Bulletin

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You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Science Science in General History of Science Philosophy History of Western Philosophy Earth Sciences, Geography, Environment, Planning Geography Cartography History

List of Illustrations	p. ix
Preface	p. xi
Note on Citations of Classical Authors	p. xiii
Introduction	p. 3
What Ptolemy Expected His Reader to Know	p. 5
The Place of the Geography in Ptolemy's Work	p. 17
Ptolemy's Evolving Conception of the World	p. 20
Marinos and Other Sources	p. 23
Ptolemy's Map Projections and Coordinate Lists	p. 31
The Manuscripts of the Geography	p. 41
The Maps in the Manuscripts	p. 45
Early Readers and Translators	p. 50
Modern Editions and Translations of the Geography	p. 52
Our Translation	p. 53
Ptolemy, Guide to Drawing a Map of the World
	p. 57
	p. 94
	p. 108
	p. 118
Plates and Maps
Notes on the Plates and Maps	p. 125
Plates 1-7	p. 128
Maps 1-8	p. 129
Appendices
The Journeys of Flaccus and Maternus to the Aithiopians	p. 145
Marinos' Calculation of the Latitude of Cape Prason	p. 148
Table of Contents provided by Syndetics. All Rights Reserved.

Ptolemy's Geography

An Annotated Translation of the Theoretical Chapters

At a Glance

Paperback

Industry Reviews

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How to return your order

Defective items

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