num_pages: 310
description: The medieval Catholic Church widely considered a source of intolerance and inquisitorial fervor was not anti-science during the Dark Ages  in fact the pope in the year 1000 was the leading mathematician and astronomer of his day. Called The Scientist Pope Gerbert of Aurillac rose from peasant beginnings to lead the church. By turns a teacher traitor kingmaker and visionary Gerbert is the first Christian known to teach math using the nine Arabic numerals and zero.In The Abacus and the Cross Nancy Marie Brown skillfully explores the new learning Gerbert brought to Europe. A fascinating narrative of one remarkable math teacher The Abacus and the Cross will captivate readers of history science and religion alike.
language: English
title: The Abacus and the Cross: The Story of the Pope Who Brought the Light of Science to the Dark Ages
publisher: Basic Books