ON

MOTIONS

NATURAL

DEPENDING ON GRAVITY,

B O O K

GIOVANNI ALFONSO BORELLI

Professor of Mathematics at the University of Pisa.

original: "in Academia Pisana Matheseos professoris." Borelli held this prestigious chair from 1656 to 1667. He was a central figure in the scientific revolution in Italy.

A woodcut illustration shows two winged cherubs. They are reclining and facing one another. An open book is placed between them. Intricate leaves and thistle plants grow from the center and surround the figures.

REGGIO DI CALABRIA,

In the Workshop of Domenico Ferri, 1670.

original: "Regio Iulio." This is the Latin name for the city of Reggio Calabria in southern Italy.

By permission of the authorities.

original: "Superiorum permissu." This indicates that the book was reviewed and approved by civil or religious censors before publication.

Motion, Gravity, Giovanni Alfonso Borelli, Reggio Calabria, Domenico Ferri, Mathematics

Natural Motions In 17th century physics, this refers to movements that happen due to the inherent nature of an object, such as a heavy stone falling. This is contrasted with violent or forced motion caused by an external push. Mathesis A term for mathematics that often included physics and astronomy during this period.