Top of page

Book/Printed Material Book of the Alphonsine Tables. Tabule Alfonsi (h. 1-22v). Tabule magristri Johannis de Lineriis (h. 23-48v)

About this Item

Title

  • Book of the Alphonsine Tables.

Other Title

  • Tabule Alfonsi (h. 1-22v). Tabule magristri Johannis de Lineriis (h. 23-48v)

Summary

  • A reflection of the knowledge of astronomy of the time, these tables were produced in Spain between 1263 and 1272 under the direction of Isaac ben Sid and Judah ben Moses Cohen. The Ptolemaic belief that the planets orbited the Earth was then the predominant cosmological system, and the heliocentric model of the solar system formulated by Copernicus, who personally studied and copied the tables, was still two centuries away. Known as Alfonsine tables after King Alfonso X of Castile (reigned 1252--84), the tables are a compilation of data about the positions and movements of the planets. Alfonso was a patron of learning who employed Christian, Jewish, and Muslim scholars to translate works of Arabic science into Latin and Castilian Spanish. He assembled a team of astronomers who compiled the Alfonsine tables, based on the calculations of the Arab astronomer al-Zarqali (also known as Arzachel, 1029--87). The work was edited and printed in Venice in 1483, the only Alphonsine astrological work to make it to the printing press during the Renaissance. The manuscript is from the Cathedral of Toledo and is now in the National Library of Spain. It was the property of Cardinal Francisco Javier de Zelada in Italy, and brought to Spain by Cardinal Lorenzana in the late 18th century.

Names

  • Alfonso X, King of Castile and Leon, 1221-1284 Associated Name.
  • Bianchini, Giovanni, 15th century Contributor.
  • Hakohen, Yehuda ben Moshe, active 1256-1276 Contributor.
  • Zarqālī, Ibrāhīm ibn Yaḥyá, died 1100 Contributor.

Created / Published

  • Venice : [publisher not identified], [1400 to 1483]

Headings

  • -  Spain
  • -  1050 to 1483
  • -  Alphonsine Tables
  • -  Astronomy, Arab
  • -  Astronomy, Medieval
  • -  Solar system

Notes

  • -  Title devised, in English, by Library staff.
  • -  Original resource extent: 48 sheets, parchment. 35 x 25 centimeters.
  • -  Original resource at: National Library of Spain.
  • -  Content in Latin.
  • -  Description based on data extracted from World Digital Library, which may be extracted from partner institutions.

Medium

  • 1 online resource.

Source Collection

  • World History

Digital Id

Library of Congress Control Number

  • 2021667703

Online Format

  • compressed data
  • pdf
  • image

Additional Metadata Formats

IIIF Presentation Manifest

Rights & Access

The Library of Congress is unaware of any copyright or other restrictions in the World Digital Library Collection. Absent any such restrictions, these materials are free to use and reuse. Researchers are encouraged to review the source information attached to each item. For information on contacting WDL partner organizations, see this archived list of partners

The Library asks that researchers approach the materials in this collection with respect for the culture and sensibilities of the people whose lives, ideas, and creativity are documented here.

Credit Line: [Original Source citation], World Digital Library

More about Copyright and other Restrictions

For additional information and contact information for many of the partner organizations, see this archived capture of the World Digital Library site from 2021.

For guidance about compiling full citations consult Citing Primary Sources.

Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

Alfonso X, King Of Castile And Leon, Associated Name, Giovanni Bianchini, Yehuda Ben Moshe Hakohen, and Ibrāhīm Ibn Yaḥyá Zarqālī. Book of the Alphonsine Tables. [Venice: Publisher Not Identified, to 1483, 1400] Pdf. https://www.loc.gov/item/2021667703/.

APA citation style:

Alfonso X, K. O. C. A. L., Bianchini, G., Hakohen, Y. B. M. & Zarqālī, I. I. Y. (1400) Book of the Alphonsine Tables. [Venice: Publisher Not Identified, to 1483] [Pdf] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2021667703/.

MLA citation style:

Alfonso X, King Of Castile And Leon, Associated Name, et al. Book of the Alphonsine Tables. [Venice: Publisher Not Identified, to 1483, 1400] Pdf. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2021667703/>.