Mathieu Ossendrijver

Babylonian Mathematical Astronomy: Procedure Texts

• Broschiertes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

This book contains new translations and a new analysis of the procedure texts of Babylonian mathematical astronomy, the earliest known form of mathematical astronomy of the ancient world. The translations are based on a modern approach incorporating recent insights from Assyriology and translation science.

The work contains updated and expanded interpretations of the astronomical algorithms and investigations of previously ignored linguistic, mathematical and other aspects of the procedure texts.

Special attention is paid to issues of mathematical representation and over 100 photos of cuneiform tablets dating from 350-50 BCE are presented.

In 2-3 years, the author intends to continue his study of Babylonian mathematical astronomy with a new publication which will contain new editions and reconstructions of approx. 250 tabular texts and a new philological, astronomical and mathematical analysis of these texts. Tabular texts are end products of Babylonian math astronomy, computed with algorithms that are formulated in the present volume, Procedure Texts.

Produktdetails

• Sources and Studies in the History of Mathematics and Physical Sciences
• Verlag: Springer / Springer, Berlin
• Artikelnr. des Verlages: 978-1-4899-8850-8
• 2012
• Seitenzahl: 618
• Erscheinungstermin: 8. Mai 2014
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 277mm x 213mm x 37mm
• Gewicht: 1597g
• ISBN-13: 9781489988508
• ISBN-10: 1489988505
• Artikelnr.: 40840583

Inhaltsangabe

Preface.- Acknowledgements.- Abbreviations and symbols.- 1. Procedure texts.- 2. Mathematical concepts - from numbers to computational systems.- 3. Planets.- 4. Moon.- 5. Critical editions.- Appendices.- Glossary.- Bibliography.- Indices.

Rezensionen

From the reviews: "This book is unquestionably the most significant publication on Babylonian mathematical astronomy since Neugebauer's ACT. Living up to the standard set by Neugebauer is no small challenge, but there is no doubt that Ossendrijver has succeeded in that task, producing both a clearly written and technically outstanding study of these highly important texts." (J.M. Steele, Journal for the History of Astronomy, August, 2013) "The available corpus of Babylonian texts concerning mathematical astronomy ... consists of about 440 tablets, dating roughly between 450 and 50 BC. ... very readable photographs of the tablets are provided. ... this book will allow scholars with an inclination toward mathematics, and an interest in the history of science in antiquity, to be in contact with its raw products without having to devote their entire lives to such study." (Bruno Poizat, Mathematical Reviews, April, 2013)

"This book is unquestionably the most significant publication on Babylonian mathematical astronomy since Neugebauer's ACT. Living up to the standard set by Neugebauer is no small challenge, but there is no doubt that Ossendrijver has succeeded in that task, producing both a clearly written and technically outstanding study of these highly important texts."
-J.M. Steele, Journal for the History of Astronomy, August 2013