It is evident that it was only an idea of proclus own to infer that euclid was a platonist because his elements end with the investigation of the five regular solids, since a later passage shows him hard put to it to reconcile the view that the construction of the five regular solids was the end and aim of the elements with the obvious fact. This admirable work contains two hundred and eleven propositions, disposed in a scientific order, and supported by the firmest demonstrations. A commentary on the first book of euclid s elements 9780691020907 by proclus, proclus and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. He writes that euclid collected eudoxus theorems, perfected many of theaetetus, and completed. It profoundly influenced renaissance and modern readings of euclid s elements and is responsible for the role that this magnum opus came to play during the renaissance. Proclus on euclids elements nous pythagoras scribd. Proclus project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks read.
Proclus, commentary on the first book of euclids elements. A fulllength study of euclid is thomas smith, euclid. A commentary on the first book of euclids elements by proclus. Early in elements euclid states five selfevident geometric facts postulates for example, all right angles are equal. A commentary on the first book of euclids elements. In proclus opinion, mathematics was a means to an end. The translator thomas taylor describes the elements thus. With a commentary based principally upon that of proclus diadochus by proclus, euclid book resume. To be able to see what these commentaries reveal it is necessary to energise the spiritual intuition, relying on innate ideas. The books cover plane and solid euclidean geometry. Currently in print euclids elements all thirteen books in one volume, based on heaths translation, green lion press isbn 1888009187.
Proclus commentary on the first book of euclids elements vol 29 of tt series. A commentary on the first book of euclids elements proclus. Proclus commentary on the first book of euclids elements vol 29. A commentary on the first book of euclid s elements, will be forthcoming.
Unique in antiquity, the elements has often been regarded as his most important work. The first book of euclid s elements with a commentary based principally upon that of proclus diadochus. The elements of theology is one of proclus most famous works. Corresponding to proclus concern with intelligibles only, and must refei to a very. The standard english translation of the elements is thomas l. With a commentary based principally upon that of proclus diadochus.
On the first book of euclids elements, and his life by marinus, tr. Book i starts with the definitions, postulates and common notions, and then states and proves the propositions. The first prologue deals with the mathematical sciences in general, while the second prologue focuses on geometry proper. From these he developed euclidean geometry, the selfconsistent geometry in two dimensions we still use today. Proclus proclus, approximately 410485 the online books page. He taught and wrote at the museum and library at alexandria, which was founded by ptolemy i. Euclids elements is universally acknowledged as the greatest mathematics book of ancient times. A commentary on the first book of euclids elements by proclus 19921019 proclus isbn. It is a collection of definitions, postulates, propositions theorems and constructions, and mathematical proofs of the propositions. Proclus metaphysical elements 1909 translation, trans. Proclus also wrote an influential commentary on the first book of euclid s elements of geometry. The recent book gives a good description of the writings of proclus found in his commentary on book i of euclid s elements. Therefore it need a free signup process to obtain the book.
Euclid project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks read. The philosophical and mathematical commentaries of proclus on the first book of euclid s elements. Proclus is also noted for his commentaries on plato, not all of which have survived. Includes editions and translations of euclid s elements, data, and optica, proclus s commentary on euclid, and other historical sources. A commentary on the first book of euclids elements book. The philosophical and mathematical commentaries of proclus. It follows from proclus hypothesis that euclids elements are the first attempt to create the mathematical theory of the universe harmony, based on platonic solids and the golden section. Proclus later retells a story that, when ptolemy i asked if there was a shorter path to learning geometry than euclid s elements, euclid replied there is no royal road to geometry. This book is of uncertain origin, but circulated in the arabic world as a work of aristotle, and was translated into latin as such.
Being four books of the influence of the stars, newly translated from the greek paraphrase of proclus, by ptolemy, also. Euclid, who put together the elements, collecting many of eudoxus theorems, perfecting many of theaetetus, and also bringing to. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. Geometrical first principles in proclus commentary on the. Procluss commentary has a two part prologue that has much to say about platonic, peripatetic, and allegedly pythagorean philosophy, and gives a general history of greek mathematicians. In proclus penetrating exposition of euclids methods and principles, the only one of its kind extant, we are afforded a unique vantage point for understanding the structure and strenght of the euclidean system.
A commentary on the first book of euclids elements by proclus book resume. The mathematics and universe of proclus improving on euclid. If it available for your country it will shown as book reader and user fully subscribe will benefit by having full. A primary source for the history and philosophy of mathematics, proclus treatise contains much priceless information about the mathematics and mathematicians of the previous seven. The book 7 is an important contribution to the study of the philosophy of proclus and in particular his philosophy of mathematics. The greek mathematician euclid active 300 bc wrote the elements, a collection of geometrical. Different again is his elements of theology, containing propositions and proofs in the geometric mode associated with euclid. Proclus highly mystical commentary on euclids elements, in which the course of the first book is treated as pathway to the vision of real being. Stoicheia is a mathematical treatise consisting of books attributed to the ancient greek mathematician euclid in alexandria, ptolemaic egypt c. Euclid s elements is universally acknowledged as the greatest mathematics book of ancient times. To which are added a history of the restoration of platonic theology by the latter platonists, and a translation from the greek of proclus s theological elements, volumes 12. Proclus commentary on the first book of euclid s elements.
In ancient times, commentaries were written by heron of alexandria flourished 62 ce, pappus of alexandria flourished c. The elements of geometrie of the most auncient philosopher euclide of megara 1570 from the english printing collection in the rare book and special collection division at the library of congress. Since, according to romano, proclus thinks that euclid and aristotle say the same thing, it follows that proclus agrees with both of them. In proclus penetrating exposition of euclids methods and principles, the only one of its kind extant, we are afforded a unique vantage point for.
Proclus was born on february 8, 412 ad his birth date is deduced from a horoscope cast by a disciple, marinus in constantinople to a family of high social status in lycia his father patricius was a high legal official, very important in the eastern roman empires court system and raised in xanthus. I recommend you read aristotles organon before reading this, or at least his metaphysics, because proclus really draws on aristotle here and it is very difficult to i just wanted to say i owe it to proclus and this book to teach me about the finer things of constructing a detailed mathematical document like euclid s elements. To construct this theory, euclid introduced in book ii the problem of dividing a segment into extreme and mean ratio the golden section. This commentary is one of the most valuable sources we have for the history of ancient mathematics, 2 and its platonic account of the status of mathematical objects was influential. In proclus penetrating exposition of euclid s methods and principles, the only one of its kind extant, we are afforded a unique vantage point for understanding the structure and strenght of the euclidean system. A commentary on the first book of euclids elements by. This is a metaphysical description of the universe beginning from basic ideas and shapes in the style of euclids elements. Welcome,you are looking at books for reading, the euclids elements, you will able to read or download in pdf or epub books and notice some of author may have lock the live reading for some of country. Proclus distinctively nonempirical approach towards physics and astronomy also influences his philosophy of mathematics, which is set out in the two prologues to his commentary on the first book of euclids elements. Heath, the thirteen books of euclid s elements, 2930 propaedeutic means a piece of learning that prepares you for something else.
I recommend you read aristotles organon before reading this, or at least his metaphysics, because proclus really draws on aristotle here and it is very difficult to i just wanted to say i owe it to proclus and this book to teach me about the finer things of constructing a detailed mathematical document like euclids elements. The philosophical and mathematical commentaries of proclus on. Click download or read online button to proclus commentary on the first book of euclid s elements book pdf for free now. Heath, the thirteen books of euclid s elements 3 vols. Almost everything about him comes from proclus commentary, 4th cent ad. The philosophical and mathematical commentaries of proclus on the first book of euclid s elements vol. Proclus s commentary on the first book of euclid s elements is by far the biggest extant source for the history of greek mathematics. Proclus defines the aristotleianplatonic ideas of being, life, and intellect, and defines the nature of the soul and how it is composed.