A wide rectangular woodcut headpiece ornament. The design features a central human-like face or mask surrounded by elaborate scrolling foliage and floral motifs. To the left and right are large birds (possibly pelicans or storks) and hybrid mythological figures with human torsos and scrolling lower bodies.

THE EGYPTIAN OEDIPUS

original: "Oedipi Aegyptiaci". Kircher uses the figure of Oedipus, the solver of the Sphinx's riddle, as a metaphor for his own work in deciphering the "mysteries" of Egyptian hieroglyphs.

Of the Second Volume

THE SECOND PART.

CLASS VII. HIEROGLYPHIC

MATHEMATICS.

PREFACE

TO THE MOST GLORIOUS

FERDINAND III.

EMPEROR OF THE ROMANS

EVER AUGUST.

A large decorative woodcut initial 'T'. The letter is integrated into a scene of dense foliage and scrolling vines, featuring two small human figures (putti) climbing within the letter's frame.

The Egyptians and Chaldeans were the inventors of Mathematics after the flood.

Greatest Caesar, although mathematical disciplines were in use from the very cradle of the world's birth—as is shown from the 4th chapter of Genesis This biblical reference points to the descendants of Cain, such as Jubal and Tubal-Cain, who were traditionally credited with inventing the arts of music and metallurgy.—nevertheless, after the flood, Chaldea first, and then Egypt, sought the cultivation of these for themselves. This is evident from the construction of the tower, most famous in every age, completed by Nimrod original: "Nembrod". A biblical figure traditionally associated with the construction of the Tower of Babel., and from the history of the remaining buildings by Semiramis A legendary Queen of Babylon credited with massive architectural feats., and the pyramids built by the Kings of Egypt. Indeed, only those who experience the necessary use of Geometry and Arithmetic in the faculty of Architecture know that these admirable works could by no means have been made without expertise in mathematics.

The Egyptian Sages were the most perfect Mathematicians.

Furthermore, there was such ardor among the Egyptians in learning these disciplines, and such estimation and reverence for them, that the title of Prophet, Priest, or Sage was granted to no one who had not first been excellently imbued with them. And though I may set aside for now their greatest utility and the immense benefits that flowed from them into the State—both in political and domestic affairs—certainly the Priests followed them with such zeal above all others, and held them in such high regar—
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