[57] See the list as given in the Fihrist, referred to in note 4. Naser ben Mohamed Abul Gioush, King of Castile, is referred to as having been much interested in astronomy, in which science he acquired such proficiency as to enable him to construct a number of very useful astronomical instruments.
[58] Lelewel, J. Géographie du moyen âge. Bruxelles, 1857. Vol. I, p. 116; Jourdain. Mémoire sur l'observatoire de Méragah. Paris, 1810. It is well known that under the direction of Nasr-Eddin, who was called to the charge of this observatory by Hulagu Khan, astronomical instruments were constructed.
[60] See the Fihrist, also a list as given by Dorn.
[63] Meucci, F. Il globo celeste arabico del seculo XI esistente nel Gabinetto degli strumenti antichi di Astronomia, Mathematica nel R. Istituto di Studi Superiori. Firenze, 1878.
[64] Assemani, S. Globus coelestis cufico-arabicus Veliterani Musei Borgiani. Patavii, 1790.
[66] Beigel, W. Nachricht von einer Arabischen Himmelskugel mit Kufischer Schrift, welche im kurfürstlichen Mathematischen Salon zu Dresden aufbewahrt wird. (In: Bodes Astronomisches Jahrbuch für das Jahr 1808. Berlin, 1808. pp. 97 ff.); Drechsler, A. Der arabische Himmelsglobus angefertigt 1279 zu Meragha. Dresden, 1873.
[67] Sedillot, L. A. Mémoire sur les instruments astronomiques des Arabes. Paris, 1841. pp. 117 ff.; same author. Matériaux pour servir à l'histoire comparée des sciences mathématiques chez les grecs et les orientaux. Paris, 1845. Vol. I, pp. 334 ff.; Jomard, M. Monuments de la Géographie. Paris, 1854. It is very doubtful that a date so early should be given to this globe.
[68] Information courteously given by M. L. Vallée.
[69] Dorn, B. Drei in der kaiserlichen öffentlichen Bibliothek zu St. Petersburg befindliche astronomische Instrumente mit arabischen Inschriften. (In: Mémoires de l'Académie Impériale des Sciences de St. Pétersbourg. St. Pétersbourg, 1865. VI^e serie, Tome IX, No. 1.)
[Illustration: Arabic Celestial Globe. _From Dorn's illustration_]
Terrestrial and Celestial Globes in the Christian Middle Ages
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.