- Paperback: 272 pages
- Publisher: Dover Publications; Reprint edition (Nov 17 2011)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0486414302
- ISBN-13: 978-0486414300
- Product Dimensions: 21.3 x 13.6 x 1.3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 281 g
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,024,058 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
Product Description
Thoughtful examination of the symbolism attached to numbers during the Middle Ages and the extent to which it was rooted in medieval culture. Detailed study of number symbolism’s derivation from elementary roots and astrological sources, the adoption and elaboration of number philosophy by the early Church Fathers, Dante’s use of number symbolism, and more.
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Medieval Number Symbolism,
By
This review is from: Medieval Number Symbolism: Its Sources, Meaning, and Influence on Thought and Expression (Paperback)
A classic in the subject area, this text has in past decades be somewhat maligned as a scholarly source by historians. However, of late, with wider expansion of research of medieval texts and other arts, especially literature and architecture, the seemingly speculative nature of some of the books material appears to be more applicable as part knowledge of the educated medieval person. I will give just one example. Using computer analysis of Plato's "Dialogs," John Kennedy has recently found strong multi-dimensional support for the thesis that embedded mathematical forms lie hidden beneath their 'surface narrative' and that they strongly correlate with the 'core philosophical conception of 'forms beneath appearances,' and represent a Pythagorean aesthetic which assumes that literary construction should imitate the assumed structure of the cosmos.' (A cosmos structured on a musical mathematics of simple number ratios and means.) This Pythagorean/Platonic myth of Cosmic origins and earthly reality and perception, early became Christianized and ultimately became cemented as dogma by Augustine of other Church Fathers; a mode of production that became the basis of much medieval thought and ideas, in an era that revered and reveled in layered hidden structures and meanings in all the arts.Although, the categorization of types of numeric symbolism is questionable to this reviewer, the remaining text is an imperative to gaining entry into the symbolic world of the medieval mind. However, be warned; the chapter of Dante is heavy going unless you have a background in the Divine Comedy. Even so, it is still worth the perseverance. Overall, I would strongly recommend this book as an appropriate first entry to the the literature of this subject. As a introductory summary of the field it is still without parallel. It is a long history that begins in pre-history and takes one through Pythagorean and Platonic Greek thought, influences of Hebrew and near-eastern thought, the Church Fathers, the history of Number and its "Theology," as well as esoteric sources, into a world all but lost to modern sensibilities, but which had a profound influence in the production of the authentic art of the Middle Ages.
3.0 out of 5 stars
informative but laborious,
By
This review is from: Medieval Number Symbolism: Its Sources, Meaning, and Influence on Thought and Expression (Paperback)
the information and research that went into making this text make it a very valuable resource for historians, artists, and students interested in the history of the significance of numbers in western philosophy. i myself am using it to understand the importance of numbers in sacred western architecture -- i want to do a performance art piece based on "the name of the rose" by umberto eco, and he gives a great deal of attention to the significance of numbers in the structures of the abbey in which the narrative is set (4 towers, 3 levels, etc). anyway, the info itself is great, and the explinations are clear, but the discussion isn't particularly passionate and it can be very difficult to get through some sections, because the language is often dry. i understand that history is not always like watching fireworks, but really... so as a research tool this is a valuable book. as an interesting read, it doesn't score so well.
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4.0 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews) 8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Worthy Read,
By nimrod - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Medieval Number Symbolism: Its Sources, Meaning, and Influence on Thought and Expression (Paperback)
I'll begin this by saying this book is not what I thought it was. I thought it was largely a description of the theories of number symbolism of the Middle Ages, as well as their sources. Indeed, the first 3 chapters would support this idea, and since I had only read them (for a research paper) before buying this book, I had a faulty view of what the largest portions of this book were about. Regardless, the chapters on the Gnostics and Christian writers, including Augustine, are still informative and elucidating, if dry and mostly "histories". There are still important philosophical points presented (as they must be in a history of philosophy).That said, the chapter on Dante should only be read by scholars and hardcore medievalists or lit-geeks who've read the Divine Comedy. To anyone who has not read it or is not one a scholar of this era/field (like me), it will be nothing but an endless bludgeoning of trinities and dualities that will quickly sour your opinion of Mr. Hopper's work. Therefore, I advise the casually interested student of number philosophies to skip this chapter, as it adds nothing to the information presented elsewhere, and merely applies it to the Divine Comedy. My personal favorite chapter is w/o a doubt the third, on Pythagorean number theory. The other chapters are its equal in terms of presenting information, this is just my personal favorite field, and Hopper explains it (mostly) in very clear terms. His discussion of the Gnostics is less clear, but still understandable, and the Christian studies are pretty clear. The first two chapters are pretty hard to get confused about, though I'm sure I'm forgetting a stumbling block or two. All in all, then, Mr. Hopper's work is a valid read for anyone interested both in the number philosophies themselves, and a bit of their histories and applications. This book, I feel, is best understood when one has a cursory understanding of other esoteric knowledge, where one can then compare the philosophies herein to others. It makes the book that much more potent. Regardless, anyone interested in this field will find much in these pages, even if the reading is slow-going at points (particularly the Dante chapter). It is also an excellent sourcebook for research. Recommended. 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
a classic,
By Julia M. Walker - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Medieval Number Symbolism: Its Sources, Meaning, and Influence on Thought and Expression (Paperback)
This is a reprint of a book that has become a classic. It's scholarly, but still available to the general reader. Its scope is very impressive, reaching back to the classical and Hebrew sources of medieval number symbolism. The book is not The DaVinci Code, nor wished to be. This is the real thing.
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
informative but laborious,
By Jack Kirven - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Medieval Number Symbolism: Its Sources, Meaning, and Influence on Thought and Expression (Paperback)
the information and research that went into making this text make it a very valuable resource for historians, artists, and students interested in the history of the significance of numbers in western philosophy. i myself am using it to understand the importance of numbers in sacred western architecture -- i want to do a performance art piece based on "the name of the rose" by umberto eco, and he gives a great deal of attention to the significance of numbers in the structures of the abbey in which the narrative is set (4 towers, 3 levels, etc). anyway, the info itself is great, and the explinations are clear, but the discussion isn't particularly passionate and it can be very difficult to get through some sections, because the language is often dry. i understand that history is not always like watching fireworks, but really... so as a research tool this is a valuable book. as an interesting read, it doesn't score so well.
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