Chapter IV: Terrestrial and Celestial Globes in the

Christian Middle Ages 35

General attitude of the period toward the theories of the Greeks and the Romans.--Scripture statements as sources of information.--Inclination of certain early writers to accept the doctrine of a spherical earth.--The particular attitude of Pope Sylvester II.--The asserted interest of Emperor Frederick II in scientific studies.--Alfonso the Wise and the Alfonsian tables.--Interesting allusions in Alfonso's work to globes and globe construction.--Giovanni Campano of Novara and the statements in his 'Tractatis de sphera solida.'--The attitude of Albertus Magnus, Sacrobosco, Roger Bacon, Vincent of Beauvais, Dante.