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Traces and echoes of De Architectura by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio in the work of Xu Guangqi in 17th century China

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Abstract

This study aims to investigate the role played by Xu Guangqi (1562–1633), minister of the Ming Dynasty, in the development of European scientific and technical knowledge in China between the 16th and 17th centuries by analyzing a book of Western technology that he wrote, namely, Taixi Shuifa (On Western Hydraulics). Several Western books related to machine knowledge are searched to trace the source of the illustrations in Taixi Shuifa. We found that Archimedes’ screw and Ctesibius’ machine, which are included in Vitruvius’ De Architectura volumes, also appear in the work of Xu Guangqi.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. DART, Laboratory of Documentation, Analysis and Survey of Architecture and Territory, University of Cassino and South Latium, Cassino, 03043, Italy

    Michela Cigola

  2. Institute for the History of Natural Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China

    Yibing Fang

Authors
  1. Michela Cigola
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  2. Yibing Fang
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Correspondence to Michela Cigola.

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Cigola, M., Fang, Y. Traces and echoes of De Architectura by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio in the work of Xu Guangqi in 17th century China. Front. Mech. Eng. 11, 3–11 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11465-015-0359-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11465-015-0359-5

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