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Pages

Astronomicum Caesareum

The Emperor's Astronomy

Astronomicum Caesareum

Latin

1540

132 pages

Natural Philosophy Art Illustrated Astrology Renaissance Philosophy Theatres Of Machines Cosmology Astronomy Renaissance Natural Philosophy Renaissance Art Architecture

First Complete Translation

Only partial translations or excerpts exist. This is the first complete English translation.

Peter Apian's 'Astronomicum Caesareum' (1540) is a famous, complex scientific work known for its intricate volvelles. Extensive searches across scholarly catalogs (including local, LOC, and OpenAlex) confirm that while the work is frequently cited and studied in academic literature, no complete English translation exists. Scholars and historians rely on the original Latin text and facsimile reproductions. Any existing English references are limited to scholarly analysis or brief excerpts within secondary literature.

Verified Mar 30, 2026 via local catalogs, open library, google books, ustc, internet archive, openalex, loc · methodology

Cosmology & Astronomy Natural Philosophy & Science Art & Architecture Natural Philosophy & Science Astrology & Divination Renaissance Philosophy Art & Illustrated Books Theatres of Machines

About This Book

astronomymathematicsastrologynatural-philosophy

Unlock the secrets of the cosmos through 16th-century 'paper computers' in Peter Apian's Astronomicum Caesareum. Discover how an imperial mathematician replaced grueling calculations with beautiful, interactive instruments to predict eclipses, map comets, and even verify the dates of ancient history.

Index

341 terms

See All →

Major Themes

Charles V45pVolvelle41pZodiac37pPeter Apian33pastronomy30pFerdinand I29pecliptica27pPetrus Apianus25pAstronomia23pZodiacus22pecliptic22pAstronomicum Caesareum20plunar eclipse20pCarolus V19pastronomical instrument19pLibra18pEpicycle17pLeo17pEclipsis16pLuna16pSol16pPisces16pMars15pAries15pGemini15pCancer15p

1531 cometp. 111, p. 113

æquinoctialisp. 107, p. 118

Aequinoctiump. 94, p. 96

Alexander Magnusp. 64, p. 78, p. 79

Alexander the Greatp. 36, p. 64, p. 78, p. 79

Alfonsusp. 79, p. 108

Alhidadap. 119, p. 121

alidadep. 119, p. 121

Altitudop. 111, p. 112, p. 113

Anglesp. 100, p. 101

Annus Bissextilisp. 58, p. 59

Apianusp. 8, p. 9

apogeep. 14, p. 23, p. 24, p. 25, p. 28, p. 36, p. 37, p. 38+3 more

Aprilisp. 33, p. 60, p. 87

Aquariusp. 19, p. 25, p. 29, p. 33, p. 37, p. 43, p. 47, p. 49+3 more

argumentp. 12, p. 14, p. 32, p. 44, p. 46, p. 70

argument of latitudep. 48, p. 73, p. 76

Argumentump. 14, p. 28, p. 32, p. 34, p. 36, p. 40, p. 66, p. 67+3 more

Argumentum latitudinisp. 48, p. 68, p. 76

argumentum lunaep. 62, p. 75

argumentum solisp. 62, p. 65, p. 75, p. 77

Aristotelesp. 7, p. 9, p. 13

Aristotlep. 13, p. 81

Ascendantp. 86, p. 89, p. 121

ascensio rectap. 109, p. 112, p. 113, p. 115

aspectsp. 50, p. 51

Aspectusp. 9, p. 51, p. 54

astrological aspectsp. 9, p. 54

astrologyp. 15, p. 22, p. 37, p. 39, p. 40, p. 43, p. 50, p. 51+5 more

Astronomia Caesareap. 44, p. 101

astronomical calculationp. 41, p. 44, p. 53, p. 59, p. 67, p. 69, p. 74, p. 77

astronomical instrumentsp. 17, p. 24, p. 30, p. 62, p. 66, p. 72, p. 96, p. 104+5 more

astronomical tablesp. 12, p. 28, p. 36, p. 38, p. 46, p. 48, p. 56, p. 68+1 more

augep. 28, p. 70

augesp. 16, p. 17

Augustusp. 7, p. 33

Aureus numerusp. 90, p. 91

auxp. 23, p. 24, p. 28

AVGVSTVSp. 60, p. 87

Azimuthp. 110, p. 111, p. 112, p. 113, p. 114

Showing 40 of 315 entries.

Illustrations27

Hand-colored astronomical volvelle diagram of Saturn's orbit within a zodiacal frame.

diagram

A circular astronomical diagram featuring numerous dragons or sea monsters radiating from a central point labeled 'UMBRA TERRE'.

diagram

Large, hand-colored octagonal diagram of an astronomical or calendrical volvelle with concentric circles.

diagram

Hand-colored astronomical diagram of a lunar eclipse with anthropomorphic moons.

diagram

Hand-colored astronomical diagram illustrating a lunar eclipse with anthropomorphic moons.

diagram

A large, hand-colored octagonal diagram representing a solar cycle, suspended from a divine hand emerging from a cloud.

diagram

Heraldic coat of arms of Petrus Apianus (Peter Apian) featuring an eagle on a shield and in the crest, surrounded by elaborate mantling.

engraving

Hand-colored astronomical diagram showing planetary orbits and zodiac signs.

diagram

Related Books

5 cited, 3 related

See All →

Cited authors in our library (5)

To the Neighbor with Advice: An Epistle to Friedrich von Reventlowvia Ptolemy Eusebius Werke VI: Demonstratio Evangelica (GCS)via Eusebius Bodleian Library MS. D'Orville 301via Euclid Iohannis Saresberiensis policraticus de nugis curialium et vestigiis philosophorum continens libros octovia Johannes Regiomontanus Eight Books on Astrologyvia Julius Firmicus

Related works (3)

Natural MagicGiambattista della PortaJulius Caesar, Julius Caesar, Hippocrates, Hippocrates, Ptolemy The Collected Works of Angelo Poliziano, Volume 1Poliziano, AngeloJulius Caesar, Augustus Caesar, Augustus Caesar, Augustus Caesar, Hippocrates Commentary on the Dream of Scipio and the SaturnaliaMacrobiusJulius Caesar, Julius Caesar, Julius Caesar, Augustus Caesar, Augustus Caesar

Pages

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