Cosmographic Book (Cosmographicus Liber)

Emended

...for the common benefit of students, that it might come forth into the public. Most of all, we have written this little work, however it has been assembled, so that the first elements of the science might be made better known to novice students of geography. Indeed, this is not without praise for Ptolemy, who is easily held as the prince of all mathematicians. For we have followed all the most learned men of this study.

Furthermore, the profession of geography is of the greatest use in reading authors; for a knowledge of it leads not only to an understanding of the poets and historians, but even to a knowledge of Sacred Scripture. This is testified to by that most learned Ptolemy Claudius Ptolemy (c. 100–170 AD), the Greco-Egyptian mathematician and geographer whose Geographia defined the field for over a millennium., the monarch of all mathematicians; Pomponius Mela A Roman geographer of the 1st century AD.; Dionysius Dionysius Periegetes, author of a popular Greek description of the habitable world.; Solinus Gaius Julius Solinus, a 3rd-century Roman author known for his "Collection of Remarkable Facts."; that most truthful Strabo A Greek geographer and historian of the 1st century AD.; Aeneas Silvius Enea Silvio Piccolomini, later Pope Pius II (1405–1464), a notable humanist geographer.; Volaterranus Raffaele Maffei of Volterra (1451–1522), a humanist scholar whose encyclopedic work included significant geographical data.; Orosius Paulus Orosius, a 5th-century historian whose works included a geographical survey of the world.; and the rest of the geographers.

Receive therefore, most eminent Prelate, this cosmographical work Cosmography was the Renaissance science that mapped the general features of the universe, combining astronomy, geography, and cartography., faithfully calculated by us with that same thoroughness as is usually read in the work of Ptolemy. If the pious reader reads it with diligent study, they will profess with the greatest gratitude of mind that they have touched upon no small fruit of the geographic discipline. Here we have collected into a certain compendium those things which have been labored over in scattered fashion by the most learned geniuses. I therefore thought it would be worthwhile if an observation of the whole world were embraced in one volume, lest any novice of the geographic profession be held back or ensnared by boredom because of excessive length and obscurity; or rather, lest some poor student be deterred by the multitude of books and the great size and price of Ptolemy’s work.

I boast nothing here of my own erudition or talent, for the matter is of such a kind that it either approves or rejects itself. Indeed, I hope you will find nothing here that is foreign to the cosmographical profession. Certainly, I have tried my best, as far as a man can, for a most complete knowledge of cosmography. And so I see that I have satisfied myself in this matter, according to that poetic saying: In great things, even to have willed it is enough. original: "In magnis et voluiſſe ſat eſt." A quote from the Roman poet Propertius, suggesting that in grand endeavors, the attempt itself is worthy of praise.

In the meantime, most praised Prelate, may you allow this labor, of whatever quality it may be, to be dedicated to your piety by me with a good heart. It is nothing new; even the writers of old were accustomed (as is clear to everyone) to choose patrons for their new little books, so that by their auspices, a certain strength and authority might be added to the books themselves. In this matter, I think I have done nothing improper, according to the sentiment of Pliny: Many things seem very precious because they are dedicated to temples. original: "Multa valde præcioſa videntur: quia templis ſunt dicata." A thought attributed to Pliny the Younger regarding the dignity given to objects by their sacred association.

Farewell, most learned prince, most adorned prelate in both integrity of character and virtues. Receive the very slight labor of my talent with a cheerful face; soon you shall receive from us even greater works published under your name, provided the gods assist our daring original: "Auſis bene iuuantibus" — a classical phrasing for "with divine help.". Farewell again, sweet protector of learned men, and hold me in your favor.

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