Geometry of Indivisibles (Geometria Indivisibilibus Continuorum)

...had reached land, were these figures, recognized as the footprints of men, able to indicate the wisdom of the inhabitants? What if I should now say that my gratitude must be revealed to you through these same figures? This is especially how I have decided to show the signs of my devoted service to you. There is nothing I would prefer more than—to speak with the father of eloquence Latin: Eloquentiæ parente. This refers to the Roman orator Cicero.—both to be grateful to you and to appear so. For this reason, I decided that these geometric speculations, though they may be rough, should be dedicated to your eternal memory.

But as Persius Aules Persius Flaccus was a Roman satirist known for his difficult and stoic poetry. says:

"Who will read these? Are you saying that to me? No one, by Hercules. No one? Perhaps two, or no one: a shameful and wretched thing, but why?" original: "Quis leget hæc? min' tu istud ais? nemo hercule. nemo? Vel duo, vel nemo: turpe, & miserabile, quare?"

Geometric matters are filled with many difficulties. The weary minds of men often shrink from them as if from bitter medicines, even though such studies are very healthy for the intellect. Yet you should read these things, most Excellent Man. To me, you will be worth more than all other readers combined. This is similar to how Plato alone was worth everyone else to Antimachus Antimachus of Colophon was a Greek poet. According to an anecdote by Cicero, when his audience walked out during a reading of his long poem, he continued because his friend Plato remained, stating that Plato was worth more than a thousand others. when he was reciting an obscure poem. You are one who burns with passion for every branch of learning. You have mastered a complete encyclopedia Latin: encyclopediam. In the 17th century, this referred to the "circle of learning" or the mastery of all liberal arts and sciences. of all knowledge, which is a gift granted to few. You know best how much Geometry itself, which the most eloquent Philo Philo of Alexandria, also known as Philo Judaeus, was a philosopher who often used mathematical and geometric allegories to explain theological concepts. left...