An eleventh-century Egyptian guide to the universe : : the Book of curiosities / / edited and translated by Yossef Rapoport and Emilie Savage-Smith.

• Superior document: Islamic philosophy, theology and science : texts and studies, volume 87
• TeilnehmendeR: Rapoport, Yossef, 1968-; Savage-Smith, Emilie.
• Place / Publishing House: Leiden ;, Boston : : Brill,, 2014.
• Year of Publication: 2014
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Series: Islamic philosophy, theology, and science ; v. 87.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (784 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.

Acquired by the Bodleian Library in 2002, the Book of Curiosities is now recognized as one of the most important discoveries in the history of cartography in recent decades. This eleventh-century Arabic treatise, composed in Egypt under the Fatimid caliphs, is a detailed account of the heavens and the Earth, illustrated by an unparalleled series of maps and astronomical diagrams. With topics ranging from comets to the island of Sicily, from lunar mansions to the sources of the Nile, it represents the extent of geographical, astronomical and astrological knowledge of the time. This authoritative edition and translation, accompanied by a colour facsimile reproduction, opens a unique window onto the worldview of medieval Islam. An extensive glossary of star-names and seven indices, on birds, animals and other items have been added for easy reference.

Table of Contents

Preliminary Material -- Introduction / Yossef Rapoport and Emilie Savage-Smith -- Sigla / Yossef Rapoport and Emilie Savage-Smith -- Facsimile of Oxford, Bodleian MS Arab. c. 90 / Yossef Rapoport and Emilie Savage-Smith -- Book One: On the Heavens – ‫ المقالة الأولى‬ / Yossef Rapoport and Emilie Savage-Smith -- Book Two: On the Earth – ‫المقالة الثانية‬ / Yossef Rapoport and Emilie Savage-Smith -- Book One: On the Heavens / Yossef Rapoport and Emilie Savage-Smith -- Book Two: On the Earth / Yossef Rapoport and Emilie Savage-Smith -- Glossary of Star-Names -- Bibliography -- Index of Animals and Plants -- Index of Astronomical and Astrological Terms -- Index of Peoples and Tribes -- Index of Place Names -- General Index.