## To the Most Reverend

Lord and Most Illustrious Prince, Lord

Matthew, original: "Matheo M." refers to Matthäus Lang von Wellenburg (1468–1540), a powerful statesman and Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg. by divine mercy Cardinal-Priest of the

Holy Roman Church under the title of Saint Angelus,

Archbishop of Salzburg, Legate of the Apostolic See, etc.

Petrus Apianus (called Bienewitz) Petrus Apianus (1495–1552) was a pioneering German humanist, mathematician, and cartographer.

of Leisnig, a humble servant of the

mathematical discipline, sends

eternal greetings and

his own

commendation.

After I met your Highness last year, Most Holy Prelate and Most Illustrious Prince, in the city of Regensburg original: "Reginopolitana" with a small gift on paper—indeed, I could bring nothing more precious at that time—it was not a difficult guess for me that you possess a remarkable knowledge of the mathematical discipline. I recognized you as a most brilliant light of the literary world, a Maecenas A Roman name used to describe a generous patron of the arts and sciences. and a sanctuary, and I saw your great devotion to letters.

Indeed, I saw this by the evidence of how, with a remarkably open and serene brow and with "open arms" (as they say), you received that parchment which I offered—so humanely, both out of your love for the study of the geographic discipline and because of the integrity of your life. Or rather—to omit the rest—I knew it because for a long time Master Johannes Aventinus A famous Bavarian historian and humanist, often called the "Bavarian Herodotus." (always most friendly to me and easily the prince of both orators and poets, whose praise I cannot pass over in silence here) and Lord Johannes Landsperger (in whose mouth your name always resides), the parish priest of Landshut and chaplain to the most illustrious Ludwig, Duke of both Bavarias, Referring to the Duchy of Bavaria-Landshut and Bavaria-Munich, then being unified. Count Palatine of the Rhine, etc.—a man most outstanding by the virtue of his genius, to whom I can neither give nor return worthy thanks—both have often praised to me your liberality toward the learned and your humanity toward all who attempt something extraordinary. They spoke especially of your affinity for original: "redolere," literally "to smell of" or "give off the scent of." the knowledge of the mathematical discipline and your approachability toward everyone. Therefore, I could not fail to dedicate this work to you—whatever this fruit of my late-night labors original: "lucubrationis," referring to work done by candlelight. may be—as if to a guardian god, and I decided to publish it under your name, so that under your patronage it might [go forth] more safely and quickly into the com- The text cuts off mid-word, likely "commune" (public) or "conspectum" (sight).