Science awakening II Book

The oldest exact sciences are Mathematics and Astronomy. Both originated in the Near East: in Egypt and Babylonia. The present Science Awakening, Volume II begins with a chapter on Egyptian astronomy. The main part is devoted to Babylonian astronomy, which developed in the course of centuries to a mature mathematical science. The present English edition is not just a translation of Die Anfange der Astronomie; it is a completely revised text. Difficult passages and tedious calculations were suppressed, new parts were added, the whole book was brought up to date. In the new order of the chapters, the central part is formed by Chapter 5, which deals with the interrelations between cosmic religion, astrology and astronomy. This chapter has been considerably extended in the English edition. The last part sheds a new light upon Persian religion and upon the inscriptions of the Persian kings. To understand this book, it is not necessary to be a mathematician or an astronomer. All astronomical notions used in the text are explained in the introduction and in the text itself. Contents: Introduction: The Role of Astronomy in the History of Civilization 1. Astronomy in Ancient Egypt 2. Old-Babylonian Astronomy 3. The Assyrian Period 4. The Neo-Babylonian and Persian Period 5. Cosmic Religion, Astrology and Astronomy 6. Theory of the Moon 7. Babylonian Planetary Theory 8. The Spread of Babylonian Astronomy