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Mathematical Treasure: Emmanuel Caranza’s Phisicae particularis cursus

Author(s): 
Frank J. Swetz (The Pennsylvania State University)

Emmanuel Caranza (1691–1734) was a Professor of Philosophy at the College for the Propagation of the Faith in Rome. In 1730, one of his students compiled an illustrated manuscript, Phisicae Particularis Cursus, of his class lectures. This work contains discussions on astronomy and mathematics and affirms Tycho Brahe’s model for the universe.

Title page of Phisicae particularis cursus, student notes on Emmanuel Caranza's lectures.

Frontispiece for Phisicae particularis cursus, student notes on Emmanuel Caranza's lectures.

Folio from Phisicae particularis cursus, student notes on Emmanuel Caranza's lectures.

Alternating angles from Phisicae particularis cursus, student notes on Emmanuel Caranza's lectures.

Globe illustration in Phisicae particularis cursus, student notes on Emmanuel Caranza's lectures.

These images from Ms. Codex 1803 are presented courtesy of the Kislak Center for Special Collections at the University of Pennsylvania. The full volume may be viewed here.

Index to Mathematical Treasures

Frank J. Swetz (The Pennsylvania State University), "Mathematical Treasure: Emmanuel Caranza’s Phisicae particularis cursus," Convergence (April 2024)