Mathematical Treasure: Johann Baptist Roppelt’s Geometria and Introdvctio in mathesin

Johann Baptist Roppelt (1744–1814) was a mathematician, cartographer and, possibly, a cleric in Bamberg. Several of his written works are still extant, particularly an elaborate illustrated manuscript prepared in 1772, Geometria theoretica et practica.

The manuscript has a double frontispiece:

The “eye of God” views the dedication “To our Creator . . . .”

The first page of the Preface:

Definitions and classifications:

A discussion of the perpendicular:

Measurement theory and techniques are discussed:

The latter part of the manuscript considers the “Platonic solids.”

Roppelt also prepared a general introduction to the mathematical sciences, the Introdvctio in mathesin qvarvmcvnqve scientiarvm cvltoribvs accommodata ad eivs qvoqve stvdium incitatoria of 1777.

The text begins with a listing of definitions:

The author uses tables to show relationships:

The images above are provided courtesy of Bamberg State Library. Full digitizations of Geometria and Introdvctio in mathesin are available.

Index to Mathematical Treasures