Exploring the Kingdom of Saturn assesses a pioneering study of ancient Latium by one of the most interesting figures in the history of learning, the Jesuit polymath Athanasius Kircher. Although Kircher's Latium, published in 1671, is not without errors in its reading of the ancient monuments and topography of the area around Rome, this highly influential work launched future topographical study of the Roman campagna. Harry B. Evans investigates Kircher's Latium, its methods and accuracy, its possible use as a reference now, ...
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Exploring the Kingdom of Saturn assesses a pioneering study of ancient Latium by one of the most interesting figures in the history of learning, the Jesuit polymath Athanasius Kircher. Although Kircher's Latium, published in 1671, is not without errors in its reading of the ancient monuments and topography of the area around Rome, this highly influential work launched future topographical study of the Roman campagna. Harry B. Evans investigates Kircher's Latium, its methods and accuracy, its possible use as a reference now, the scholarly quarrel between Kircher and rival scholar Raffaello Fabretti, and the Vatican's publications committee's involvement with Latium. While Kircher himself is well known for his many publications on a wide variety of subjects-Egyptian hieroglyphs, linguistics, natural science, musicology, and the history of China-his work as an archaeologist and topographer has often been dismissed. But his Latium is worth a detailed assessment: not only was it an early attempt to link ancient literary and historical sources to physical evidence, with splendid illustrations and maps, but the book spurred enormous interest in the region, prompting a more sophisticated study of it by Kircher's contemporaries and later generations. Anyone interested in the history of archaeology, the world of seventeenth-century Italian antiquarians and scholars, and the fascinating region of Latium itself will want to learn more about Kircher's achievements and the scholarly legacy of his book.
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Fine. Glued binding. Paper over boards. With dust jacket. 250 p. Contains: Illustrations, black & white, Maps. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Add this copy of Exploring the Kingdom of Saturn: Kircher's Latium and to cart. $222.59, new condition, Sold by GreatBookPrices rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Columbia, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by University of Michigan Press.
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New. Glued binding. Paper over boards. With dust jacket. 250 p. Contains: Illustrations, black & white, Maps. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Add this copy of Exploring the Kingdom of Saturn: Kircher's Latium and to cart. $222.60, new condition, Sold by Kennys.ie rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Galway, IRELAND, published 2012 by University of Michigan Press.
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New. Investigating "Latium, " Athanasius Kircher's 1671 study of the area around Rome Num Pages: 236 pages, ill. BIC Classification: 1QDAR; HBLA1. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 152 x 155 x 23. Weight in Grams: 499. 2012. Hardcover.....We ship daily from our Bookshop.
"Exploring the Kingdom of Saturn" is a review of "Latium," a book by the famous 17th-century Jesuit polymath Athanasius Kircher (that's his face on the cover). Kircher was an early scientist... who was wrong about almost everything. (His works do have nice illustrations though.) What makes him interesting is that he worked at the very dawn of science, when people were still trying to figure out how to do science. Still, I'm surprised that someone wrote an entire book on this particular minor work of his; I think a long essay would probably have been sufficient.
While competent, this book is far too specialized for most people (including, as it turned out, me). I'd only recommend it in three cases:
a) You have a strong interest in the history of early science in general
b) You have a strong interest in Athanasius Kircher in particular
c) You have a strong interest in chorography (the description of the topography and antiquities of small areas, as for example county histories).