Ptolemy's Geography
Subtitle: an annotated translation of the theoretical chapters
By: J. Lennart Berggren and Alexander Jones
Contributors: Jones, Alexander; Ptolemy, 2nd cent.
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Published: 2000
Place of publication: Princeton, N.J
Language: eng
Number of pages: 192
Subjects: Ptolemy, -- 2nd cent.; Cartography -- Greece -- Early works to 1800; Geography, Ancient
Genres: Early works to 1800
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 A.D., 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 important, 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." "Historians of science, classicists, and anyone who enjoys beautiful maps or map making will find this work an indispensable addition to their library."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 183-188) and indexes