Description

Ji he yuan ben (Euclid’s Elements) is a version of the work by Greek mathematician Euclid (circa 323‒circa 285 BC). Presented here is the earliest Chinese translation, done by Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci (1552‒1610) together with Xu Guangqi. Xu Guangqi (1562‒1633), name Zixian, style name Xuanhu, was born in Shanghai. He received his jin shi degree in the 32nd year (1604) of the Wanli reign of Ming and was a vice minister of the Ministry of Rites and a grand secretary of the Wenyuange Imperial Library ...