Geography (Geographicae Enarrationis Libri Octo)

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disciplines, without which all philosophy, especially the Platonic, is maimed, even if they seemed to those others to be far more abject and inert. Perhaps there will not be wanting those who will wish me well for this effort, especially those who easily understand how much labor was exhausted in it and how much tedium was devoured; I will also attest that I have lived among the living. Therefore, since there is nothing so perfect and absolute in human affairs that it lacks every flaw and reproach, and it does not escape me that many things in this work are so depraved that they cannot be restored in a single moment, I urge and beseech every sincere man, learned and exercised in mathematics (for otherwise he should not apply his hand), that if anything seems to respond poorly to the author's mind, or does not square with mathematical reasoning—whether due to the fault of the copies, the carelessness of the interpreter, or the nodding of the writer—he should candidly amend it and kindly correct it.

For it is plain to see that not only Greek but also Latin copies differ almost diametrically from one another, especially in the calculation of numbers. In this, I do not at all pledge my faith, as they are vitiated as often as they are described by a negligent notary. Nor is this a wonder, since these Greek elements—Γ, ς, S, S—bear such similarity to one another that often one is substituted for another. And thus, where a number of three should be read, you will find six or a sextant noted, and conversely. If, due to the writer’s negligence, no Γ note is added, you will understand only one for two thirds. When many such things occur everywhere, they have claimed a special place for themselves in the eighth book. For there, in more than four hundred places, neither the length of the day, nor the distance of places from the Alexandrian meridian, nor the vertical transit of the sun agreed with the truth. So much so that it would have been impossible for me to repair so many faults had I not entirely rejected the copies and fled to true and mathematical reasoning.

Nor is it a wonder if so many errors crept into profane letters due to the inversion of numbers, when sacred ones have not remained uncontaminated. For that which is read in the Evangelist Mark, that our Savior was affixed to the cross at the third hour, but in the other three at the sixth hour, occurred for no other reason than that a not very diligent writer inserted a Γ for the note ς at the beginning. When this happens in such a variety of numbers, what is to be judged about the certainty of those books where all things are transacted by nothing but numbers? Furthermore, no one knows how much time and labor were expended on the armillary sphere alone, unless he has made the attempt himself in similar things. For there, not only numbers but also notes of letters and the drawing of lines—everything, finally—was so depraved and inverted that they disagreed and fought entirely among themselves and clearly needed some conjecture. But unless I am mistaken, each has been so restored that they square no less with the author’s mind than with mathematical reasoning.

Indeed, this must not be passed over in silence: all the copies, both Greek and Latin, that fell to me, vary somewhat in the distance of the parallels from the equinoctial circle. Otherwise, I have followed that number which ὡς αἱ γραμμικαὶ δείξεις ἔγγιστα ὑποβάλλουσι as the linear demonstrations suggest most nearly (to use Ptolemy’s words) is more true. Although, if anyone wishes to follow us through mathematical demonstrations or calculations of ratios to assume the distance of the parallels in our time from the maximum declination of the sun, which is considered to be 23 parts and 29 minutes, he will find not a small variation from that ancient one, which in Ptolemy’s age was 23 parts and 50 minutes, perhaps because of the motion of the eighth circle of Egypt. I have reported these things to suggest an occasion for thinking and inquiring to students of geography, who will also, from the instruction of Ptolemy, take care to amend with their own industry those places which have been observed in our own age with more exact care and diligence. If this is done, I trust that the majesty of our Ptolemy will soon be restored to its original luster.

I, indeed, if God permits, have decided to publish new maps sometime, with equidistant meridians, as Ptolemy commands, and not at all inclined. By this, the length will be correctly preserved from both extremities of the map, with the latitude, and a certain ratio of the parallels will be maintained, not only with the meridians but also in the true distance from the equinoctial and the quantity of the day, with those places set as a foundation which have been rectified even in our time by more diligent observation. For it is not at all obscure how much Ptolemy’s consideration does not square in this age of ours, especially in many Danubian places, although there is no lack of what can excuse him from error and negligence. But if the heavens have seen fit otherwise, there will not be wanting those who, insisting upon these footsteps of ours, will complete with a happier outcome what fate, envious, denied to us. But to finally return to you, illustrious Prince.