Terrestrial and celestial globes; their history and ... - 24grammata.com

Terrestrial Globes in Antiquity.
same considerations which we have made use of with respect
to the heavens. For in the heavens the hollow convexity
everywhere bends on itself and leans upon the earth as a
center, whereas the earth rises up solid and dense like something
that swells up and is protruded outward. The heavens
bend toward the center, while the earth goes out from the
center, the continual rolling of the heavens about it forcing
its immense mass into the form of a sphere."^®
NOTES
1. Most of the larger general works presenting an historical survey of
the science of astronomy give consideration to its beginnings, noting the
interest in the subject exhibited by the early Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians,
and by other Eastern peoples. See the introductory pages of such
works as Dalambre, M. Histoire de I'astronomie ancienne. Paris, 1817;
Lockyer, J. N. The Dawn of Astronomy. New York, 1894; Allan, H. A.
Star Names and their Meanings ; Wolf, R. Geschichte der Astronomic.
Miinchen, 1877 ; Madler, J. H. Geschichte der Himmelskunde von den
altesten bis auf die neuste Zeit. Braunschweig, 1873. 2 vols.; Narrien, J. N.
An Historical Account of Origin and Progress of Astronomy. London, 1833.
2. Chabas, F. Ouvres diverses publiees par G. Maspero. Paris, 1902. Tome
deuxieme, Plate II, p. 208, "Carte Egyptienne de mines d'or."
3. Cuneiform Texts from Babylonian Tablets, etc., in British Museum.
London, 1906. Vol. 22, Plate 48. This Babylonian plan of the world illustrates
the idea concerning the world which was current in the late Babylonian
period. It represents the region of Babylonia, Assyria, and the
neighboring districts as a circular plain surrounded by the Persian Gulf
(Ma-ra-tum). The city Babylon (Babylu) is indicated near the center, and
next to it the land of Assyria (Ashshur). The position of certain other
cities is indicated. The district toward the south, bordering the Persian
Gulf, is represented as being full of canals and marshes. Toward the north
is marked a district which is referred to as mountainous. Beyond the circle
is represented the Persian Gulf, and a number of triangles pointing outward
from the circular zone, each being labeled "region," indicating a vague
conception concerning the same.
4. Numerous works have been published referring to the geography of
the ancients. Mention may here be made of the following as being important.
In each may be found extensive bibliographical references. Berger, H.
Geschichte der wissenschaftlichen Erdkunde der Griechen. Leipzig, 1887-
1894. This work was issued in four parts. Forbiger, A. Handbuch der
alten Geographic nach den Quellen bearbeitet. Hamburg, 1877 ; Schmidt,
M. C. P. Zur Geschichte der geographischen Litteratur bei den Griechen
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