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Astronomies and Cultures in Early Medieval Europe

Astronomies and Cultures in Early Medieval Europe

Paperback (22 Feb 2001)

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Publisher's Synopsis

Historians have long recognized that the rebirth of science in twelfth-century Europe flowed from a search for ancient scientific texts. But this search presupposes knowledge and interest; we only seek what we know to be valuable. The emergence of scholarly interest after centuries of apparent stagnation seems paradoxical. This book resolves that seeming contradiction by describing four active traditions of early medieval astronomy: one divided the year by observing the Sun; another computed the date of Easter Full Moon; the third determined the time for monastic prayers by watching the course of the stars; and the classical tradition of geometrical astronomy provided a framework for the cosmos. Most of these astronomies were practical; they sustained the communities in which they flourished and reflected and reinforced the values of those communities. These astronomical traditions motivated the search for ancient learning that led to the Scientific Renaissance of the twelfth century.

About the Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Cambridge University Press dates from 1534 and is part of the University of Cambridge. We further the University's mission by disseminating knowledge in the pursuit of education, learning and research at the highest international levels of excellence.

Book information

ISBN: 9780521778527
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Pub date:
DEWEY: 520.9409021
DEWEY edition: 21
Language: English
Number of pages: 235
Weight: 382g
Height: 151mm
Width: 229mm
Spine width: 14mm