The Cambridge History of Science: Volume 1, Ancient Science

Provides a detailed introductory overview of science, medicine and mathematics in ancient cultures.

Alexander Jones (Edited by), Liba Taub (Edited by)

9780521571623, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 13 December 2018

660 pages
23.5 x 15.8 x 4.1 cm, 1.08 kg

'As one would expect from a Cambridge History volume dedicated to “ancient science,” this book provides a coherent and accessible overview of the history, sources, philosophy, and sociology of the principal fields of natural inquiry in the ancient world. I find it as invaluable as a reference book, since it is accessible for introductory reading, and it is a model, in my opinion, of the sort of questions and approach toward which the field is rightly moving.' Daniel Patrick Morgan, Journal of the American Oriental Society

This volume in the highly respected Cambridge History of Science series is devoted to the history of science, medicine and mathematics of the Old World in antiquity. Organized by topic and culture, its essays by distinguished scholars offer the most comprehensive and up-to-date history of ancient science currently available. Together, they reveal the diversity of goals, contexts, and accomplishments in the study of nature in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, and India. Intended to provide a balanced and inclusive treatment of the ancient world, contributors consider scientific, medical and mathematical learning in the cultures associated with the ancient world.

Part I. Mesopotamia: 1. Science and ancient Mesopotamia Francesca Rochberg
2. Babylonian medicine as a discipline Markham Geller
3. Mesopotamian mathematics Jens Høyrup
4. Babylonian and Assyrian astral science John M. Steele
Part II. Egypt: 5. The cultural context of (mathematical) experts in Ancient Egypt Annette Imhausen
6. Egyptian medicine John Nunn
7. Egyptian calendars and astronomy Rolf Krauss
8. Egyptian mathematics Jens Høyrup
Part III. Greek and Greco-Roman: 9. Physical and cosmological thought before Aristotle Daniel Graham
10. Aristotle: an overview Andrea Falcon
11. Aristotle's physical theory Eric Lewis
12. Aristotle and the origins of zoology James G. Lennox
13. Botany Laurence Totelin
14. Science after Aristotle: Hellenistic and Roman science Liba Taub
15. Late antiquity: science in the philosophical schools Miira Tuominen
16. Medicine in early and classical Greece Philip van der Eijk
17. Hellenistic and Roman medicine Vivian Nutton
18. Greek mathematics Nathan Sidoli
19. Astronomy and astrology Alexander Jones
20. Greek and Greco-Roman geography Klaus Geus
21. Greek optics A. Mark Smith
22. Harmonics Andrew Barker
23. Greek mechanics Serafina Cuomo
24. Graeco-Egyptian alchemy Cristina Viano
Part IV. India: 25. Astronomy and astrology in India Kim Plofker
26. Mathematics in early India (1000 BCE–1000 CE) Clemency Montelle
27. Indian medicine and Ayurveda Philipp A. Maas
Part V. China: 28. Mathematical knowledge and practices from early imperial China until the Tang Dynasty Karine Chemla
29. Medicine and healing in Han China Vivienne Lo
30. Chinese astronomy in the early imperial age: a brief outline Christopher Cullen.

Subject Areas: History of science [PDX], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA], General & world history [HBG]