An encyclopedist of the dark ages: Isidore of SevilleBrehaut, Ernest
History
An encyclopedist of the dark ages: Isidore of Seville
Brehaut, Ernest
Isidore, of Seville, Saint, -636; Thesis (Ph. D.)
1. All number is considered either with reference to itself or
in relation to something. The former is divided as follows:
some are equal, as for example, two; others are unequal, as for
example, three.[248] The latter is divided as follows: some are
greater, some are less. The greater are divided as follows: into
_multiplices_ (multiple), _superparticulares_, _superpartientes_,
_multiplices superparticulares_, _multiplices superpartientes_.
The less are divided as follows: _Sub-multiplices_ (sub-multiple),
_sub-superparticulares_, _sub-superpartientes_, _sub-multiplices
sub-superparticulares_, _sub-multiplices sub-superpartientes_.
[248] The examples are found in Du Breul. They do not appear in
Arevalo.
6. ... The _superparticularis numerus_ is when a greater number
contains in itself a lesser number with which it is compared, and at
the same time one part of it.
7. For example; III when compared with II contains in itself two
and also one, which is the half of two. IV when compared with III,
contains three and also one, which is the third of three. Likewise V,
when compared with IV, contains the number four and also one, which
is the fourth part of the said number four, and so on.
8. The _superpartiens numerus_ is that which contains the whole of
a lesser number and in addition two parts of it, either thirds or
fifths or other parts. For example, when V is compared with III, the
number five contains three and in addition to this two parts of it.
Chapter 7. On the third division of all number.
1. Numbers are abstract or concrete. The latter are divided as
follows: first, lineal; second, superficial; third, solid. Abstract
number is that which is made up of abstract units. For example, III,
IV, V, VI, and so on.
2. Concrete number is that which is made up of units that are not
abstract, as for example, the number three, if it is understood of
magnitude, whether line, superficies, or solid, is called concrete.
4. The number of superficies is that which is constituted not only by
length but also by breadth, as triangular, square, pentangular, or
circular numbers, and the rest that are contained in a plane surface
or superficies.
5. The circular number, when it is multiplied by itself, beginning
with itself, ends with itself. For example, _Quinquies quini vicies
quinque_.
6. ... The spherical number is that which being multiplied by the
circular number begins with itself and ends with itself; for example,
five times five are twenty-five, and this circle being multiplied by
itself makes a sphere, that is, five times XXV make CXXV.
Chapter 8. On the distinction between arithmetic, geometry, and music.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account