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Review
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
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
Product Description
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.
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First Sentence
World cartography is an imitation through drawing of the entire known part of the world together with the things that are, broadly speaking, connected with it. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
World cartography is an imitation through drawing of the entire known part of the world together with the things that are, broadly speaking, connected with it. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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2 reviews
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Well done, but incomplete
7 Dec 2001
Format:Hardcover
The introduction is excellent and translation is well done, however the book is incomplete - it offers only a tiny sampling of Ptolemy's geography (only the book concerning Gaul), which may disappoint some (I was certainly surprised, expecting to see a full translation).
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
A glimpse into the past
7 Mar 2003
Format:Hardcover
Reading the translated text of Ptolemy's Geography gives you a glimpse into the scientific, technical, social and political minds of those times. From a technical aspect, the maps are really quite good, considering the limited tools and data that Ptolemy had at his disposal. There are many mistakes, those about Africa and Asia are extreme, but it is possible to recognize the general shapes of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The descriptions of how to determine locations from astronomical observations and the manner whereby it is interpreted is a classic example of stretching a technology to its' limits. For somewhere in the neighborhood of fifteen centuries, his maps were not significantly improved, which is a technical achievement that may be unequaled in any other field.
From the political and social realm we see that the Mediterranean is the hub of the world, with China and India a significant, albeit peripheral part. Africa below the Sahara desert is a great unknown, as there is little more than an empty spot on the map. North Africa is simply Libia and southern Africa is Ethiopia.
The translators have done a very good job with what was a very difficult subject. They begin with a great deal of explanation and close with a series of appendices that clarify many of the intermediate points. There is also a section of maps, where Ptolemy's are compared with modern ones. However, this is a translation of the theoretical chapters only, so if you are looking for the complete text, you will have to look elsewhere.
One of the greatest technical triumphs of the ancient world, Ptolemy's Geography can teach us much about the world in which he lived and worked. I found this translation of his great work to be well worth reading.
From the political and social realm we see that the Mediterranean is the hub of the world, with China and India a significant, albeit peripheral part. Africa below the Sahara desert is a great unknown, as there is little more than an empty spot on the map. North Africa is simply Libia and southern Africa is Ethiopia.
The translators have done a very good job with what was a very difficult subject. They begin with a great deal of explanation and close with a series of appendices that clarify many of the intermediate points. There is also a section of maps, where Ptolemy's are compared with modern ones. However, this is a translation of the theoretical chapters only, so if you are looking for the complete text, you will have to look elsewhere.
One of the greatest technical triumphs of the ancient world, Ptolemy's Geography can teach us much about the world in which he lived and worked. I found this translation of his great work to be well worth reading.
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