etymologiae

Etymologiae (or Etymologiæ) is an encyclopedia written by Isidore of Seville, devoted to transmitting much of the learning of antiquity. The vast encyclopedia of ancient learning covered in 20 books subjects from theology to furniture and provided a rich source of classical lore and learning for medieval writers. The book not only was one of the most popular compendia in medieval libraries but was printed in at least 10 editions between 1470 and 1530, showing Isidore's continued popularity in the Renaissance. However, much of the information offered in Etymologiae was disproved in following centuries. A stylized map based on Etymologiae was printed in 1472 in Augsburg, featuring the world as a wheel. The continent Asia is peopled by descendants of Sem or Shem, Africa by descendants of Ham and Europe by descendants of Japheth. All three were the sons of Noah. This map reflects Isidore's 6th century view; we now know that, although undoubtedly a brilliant scholar, Isidore was not always correct in his suppositions.

External links

The text of the Etymologiae is available online at:

<< Previous

Word Browser

Next >>

twin lakes township, minnesota
walden township, minnesota
warsaw township, minnesota
wilson township, minnesota
woodrow township, minnesota
woodside township, minnesota
pathetic poetry society
fairfield township, new jersey
fairview, new jersey
franklin township, new jersey
greenwich township, new jersey

hamilton township, new jersey
hopewell township, new jersey
lawrence township, new jersey
mansfield township, new jersey
monroe township, new jersey
ocean township, new jersey
springfield township, new jersey
peter max
union township, new jersey
washington township, new jersey
torreon, new mexico

altamont, new york
ashland, new york
attica, new york
aurora, new york
baldwin, new york
barker, new york
clinton, new york
dansville, new york
deposit, new york
dickinson, new york
dresden, new york

fairview, new york
florida, new york
fremont, new york
fulton, new york
greenport, new york
greenville, new york
highland, new york
lawrence, new york
lewis, new york
middletown, new york
mohawk, new york