First Published in 1999. Man has always tried to find effective ways to predict the weather. Simple predictions from meteorological phenomena or from the constellations rising in the sky can be found attributed to Aristotle, and in Varro, Pliny, Ptolemy, and the parapêgmata of Classical times. However, the particular cultural situation of Baghdad in the mid-ninth century encouraged the production of what can be regarded as the first scientific treatises on weather forecasting. These are two 'letters' of the 'Philosopher of the Arabs', Ya'qüb ibn Ishãq al-Kindi (ca 800-ca. 870), who combines at least three traditions of weather forecasting: the native Arabic agricultural tradition, Greek Aristotelian meteorology, and scientific astrology. This volume sketches the history of weather forecasting from ancient times through to the Early Modern period, and places the two letters of al-Kindi in their historical and intellectual context. The original Arabic text of al-Kindi's letters has not been discovered, but the work is known through two Hebrew translations, and an independent Latin version, made directly from the Arabic, in which the two letters have been combined into one treatise. All these texts are edited here, together with an annotated English translation of the principal Hebrew version and a detailed commentary. This book not only adds to our knowledge concerning al-Kindi, but is also the first study devoted exclusively to medieval weather forecasting—a topic which, from the evidence of the number of texts and manuscripts, had a significant place in medieval scientific and social culture.

First published in 2000

First Published in 1999. Man has always tried to find effective ways to predict the weather. Simple predictions from meteorological phenomena or from the constellations rising in the sky can be found attributed to Aristotle, and in Varro, Pliny, Ptolemy, and the parapêgmata of Classical times. However, the particular cultural situation of Baghdad in the mid-ninth century encouraged the production of what can be regarded as the first scientific treatises on weather forecasting. These are two 'letters' of the 'Philosopher of the Arabs', Ya'qüb ibn Ishãq al-Kindi (ca 800-ca. 870), who combines at least three traditions of weather forecasting: the native Arabic agricultural tradition, Greek Aristotelian meteorology, and scientific astrology. This volume sketches the history of weather forecasting from ancient times through to the Early Modern period, and places the two letters of al-Kindi in their historical and intellectual context. The original Arabic text of al-Kindi's letters has not been discovered, but the work is known through two Hebrew translations, and an independent Latin version, made directly from the Arabic, in which the two letters have been combined into one treatise. All these texts are edited here, together with an annotated English translation of the principal Hebrew version and a detailed commentary. This book not only adds to our knowledge concerning al-Kindi, but is also the first study devoted exclusively to medieval weather forecasting-a topic which, from the evidence of the number of texts and manuscripts, had a significant place in medieval scientific and social culture.

Two opposing views of the future in the Middle Ages dominate recent historical scholarship. According to one opinion, medieval societies were expecting the near end of the world and therefore had no concept of the future. According to the other opinion, the expectation of the near end created a drive to change the world for the better and thus for innovation. Close inspection of the history of prognostication reveals the continuous attempts and multifold methods to recognize and interpret God’s will, the prodigies of nature, and the patterns of time. That proves, on the one hand, the constant human uncertainty facing the contingencies of the future. On the other hand, it demonstrates the firm believe during the Middle Ages in a future which could be shaped and even manipulated. The handbook provides the first overview of current historical research on medieval prognostication. It considers the entangled influences and transmissions between Christian, Jewish, Islamic, and non-monotheistic societies during the period from a wide range of perspectives. An international team of 63 renowned authors from about a dozen different academic disciplines contributed to this comprehensive overview.

Two opposing views of the future in the Middle Ages dominate recent historical scholarship. According to one opinion, medieval societies were expecting the near end of the world and therefore had no concept of the future. According to the other opinion, the expectation of the near end created a drive to change the world for the better and thus for innovation. Close inspection of the history of prognostication reveals the continuous attempts and multifold methods to recognize and interpret God’s will, the prodigies of nature, and the patterns of time. That proves, on the one hand, the constant human uncertainty facing the contingencies of the future. On the other hand, it demonstrates the firm believe during the Middle Ages in a future which could be shaped and even manipulated. The handbook provides the first overview of current historical research on medieval prognostication. It considers the entangled influences and transmissions between Christian, Jewish, Islamic, and non-monotheistic societies during the period from a wide range of perspectives. An international team of 63 renowned authors from about a dozen different academic disciplines contributed to this comprehensive overview.

Should you bring your umbrella to school today? What if there's a snowstorm? Weather forecasters gather the information that helps us stay safe, warm, and dry every day.

Provides the first comprehensive overview by world-renowned experts of what we know today of medieval Jews' engagement with the sciences.

This interdisciplinary handbook provides extensive information about research in medieval studies and its most important results over the last decades. The handbook is a reference work which enables the readers to quickly and purposely gain insight into the important research discussions and to inform themselves about the current status of research in the field. The handbook consists of four parts. The first, large section offers articles on all of the main disciplines and discussions of the field. The second section presents articles on the key concepts of modern medieval studies and the debates therein. The third section is a lexicon of the most important text genres of the Middle Ages. The fourth section provides an international bio-bibliographical lexicon of the most prominent medievalists in all disciplines. A comprehensive bibliography rounds off the compendium. The result is a reference work which exhaustively documents the current status of research in medieval studies and brings the disciplines and experts of the field together.

"Astrology in Medieval Manuscripts describes the complexity of western medieval astrology and its place in society, as revealed by a wealth of illustrated manuscripts and historical background."--BOOK JACKET.

This volume, the third by Charles Burnett in the Variorum series, brings together articles on the different numeral forms used in the Middle Ages, and their use in mathematical and other contexts. Some pieces study the introduction of Hindu-Arabic numerals into Western Europe, documenting, in more detail than anywhere else, the different forms in which they are found, before they acquired the standard shapes with which we are familiar today. Others deal with experiments with other forms of numeration within Latin script: e.g., using the first nine Roman numerals as symbols with place value, abbreviating the Roman numerals, and using the Latin letters as numerals. The author discusses how different types of numerals are used for different purposes, and the application of numerals to the abacus, and to calculation with pen and ink. The studies include the critical edition of several Latin texts.