Ptolemy's Geography revolutionized cartography in the second century AD, surviving as the sole classical text on the subject. For over fifteen centuries, it served as the most comprehensive topography of Europe and Asia, guiding map-making through astronomical observation and mathematical application. Ptolemy's innovative approach included the systematic recording of latitude and longitude coordinates for geographical features, enabling others to replicate his maps accurately, regardless of scale. This work laid the foundation for modern cartographic practices.
Claudius Ptolemaeus Livres






Ptolemy's Almagest
- 712pages
- 25 heures de lecture
As a cornerstone of astronomy, Ptolemy's Almagest has shaped scientific thought for over a millennium. This translation, rooted in Heiberg's standard Greek text, offers an accessible version for English readers, enriched with corrections from medieval Arabic translations. Extensive footnotes highlight recent advancements in understanding, particularly through Babylonian records. The work serves both as an independent interpretation and a valuable resource for those studying the original Greek text, making it a significant addition to the history of science.
Eight works or parts of works were ascribed to Manetho, a third century BCE Egyptian, all on history and religion and all apparently in Greek. They survive only as quoted by other writers and include the spurious Book of Sothis. The Kings of Thebes (in Egypt) and the Old Chronicle are doubtful.
The Almagest
- 264pages
- 10 heures de lecture
The Almagest is by far the greatest work in astronomy in ancient times. In a massive series of thirteen books, Ptolemy shows how every detail of the motions of the sun, moon, planets, and stars can be expressed using geometrical models that can be used to compute celestial positions with remarkable accuracy The present selection covers all the essential features of Ptolemy s treatment of the heavens, omitting only more difficult and abstruse matters such as the moon s motion and the calculation of eclipses. In the interest of conciseness, development of planetary theories is restricted to two planets, one inferior (Venus) and one superior (Mars). Ptolemy s text is accompanied by extensive notes and introductions that are aimed at making the book accessible to students encountering Ptolemy for the first time. This edition is designed to provide everything needed for a one-semester course, or it can be a component of a more general course on planetary theory or history of astronomy."
Ptolemy's Tetrabiblos, Or Quadripartite: Being Four Books of the Influence of the Stars
- 274pages
- 10 heures de lecture
Tetrabiblos, Book Two
- 96pages
- 4 heures de lecture
The Tetrabiblos, Book Two is the second part in a four-part series on Astrology and Apotelesmatics. A great ancient survey text, Ptolemy covers many topics in this second book. He starts to handle individual birth charts in this book, whereas Book One focuses mainly on general Astrology.
Pi: Calculated to 1,000,001 Digits After the Decimal Point
- 540pages
- 19 heures de lecture
A book filled with 1,000,001 digits of pi after the decimal point.
Tetrabiblos, Book 3
- 116pages
- 5 heures de lecture
Tetrabiblos, Book 3 is the third part of a four book series on astronomical prognostication. In this book, Ptolemy looks into Parents, Siblings, Twins, Marvelous Monstrosities, Atrophy, and the controversial length of life calculation.
Ptolemaei Eordaei, Aristobuli Cassandrensis et Charetis Mytilenaei Reliquiae
- 192pages
- 7 heures de lecture