OF ATHANASIUS KIRCHER

OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS

EGYPTIAN

OEDIPUS

In Greek mythology, Oedipus was the hero who solved the riddle of the Sphinx. By using this name, Kircher positions himself as the great decoder of Egyptian mysteries.

Of the Second Volume

THE SECOND PART

Containing the last six

Classes.

Kircher organized his vast encyclopedia into "Classes" or thematic categories. This volume continues the series of intellectual classifications.

Under the Favorable Auspices of

FERDINAND III,

EMPEROR.

original: "CAESARIS". Ferdinand III (1608–1657) was the Holy Roman Emperor and a significant patron of Kircher's scientific and linguistic research.

The Imperial coat of arms of Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand III, featuring a crowned double-headed eagle with a small shield on its breast, surmounted by a large imperial crown with a cross.

ROME,

From the Printing Office of Vitalis Mascardi, In the Year 1653.

WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE SUPERIORS.

This phrase indicates that the work was reviewed and approved by Catholic Church censors before publication.