SCENOGRAPHY OF THE PTOLEMAIC WORLD SYSTEM

A detailed hand-colored engraving depicting the Ptolemaic geocentric model of the universe, likely from Andreas Cellarius's "Harmonia Macrocosmica" (17th century). At the very center is the Earth, shown as a terrestrial globe with labeled continents and oceans. Surrounding the Earth are seven concentric elliptical orbits representing the celestial spheres of the known planets and luminaries of the time, each labeled with its name and planetary symbol: the Moon (Luna), Mercury, Venus, the Sun (Sol), Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. This planetary system is enclosed within a complex framework of celestial circles, including the Arctic and Antarctic circles, the Equator, and the two tropics. A wide, tilted band representing the Zodiac encircles the orbits, featuring depictions and names of the twelve zodiac signs. The entire sphere is further defined by the solstitial and equinoctial colures. The composition is framed by cardinal directions: North at the top, South at the bottom, East on the right, and West on the left. The corners of the plate are elaborately decorated. At the top, cherubs fly amidst clouds, holding two green banners that contain the title. In the bottom-left corner, a group of astronomers and scholars in classical and early modern attire study the heavens using instruments such as an astrolabe and a cross-staff. In the bottom-right corner, another group of scholars, including some in clerical dress, are gathered around a large celestial globe, engaged in discussion and mathematical study.

Titles on Banners

• SCENOGRAPHY OF THE PTOLEMAIC
• WORLD SYSTEM.

Text Labels within the Diagram

Cardinal Directions and Poles:

• NORTH
• SOUTH
• EAST
• WEST
• ARCTIC POLE
• ANTARCTIC POLE

Celestial Coordinates and Circles:

• ARCTIC CIRCLE
• SOLSTITIAL COLURE
• EQUINOCTIAL COLURE
• ZODIAC AXIS
• SUMMER TROPIC OR TROPIC OF CANCER
• EQUATOR
• WINTER TROPIC OR TROPIC OF CAPRICORN
• ANTARCTIC CIRCLE

Planetary Orbits (Inner to Outer):

• MOON ☾
• MERCURY ☿
• VENUS ♀
• SUN ☉
• MARS ♂
• JUPITER ♃
• SATURN ♄

Zodiac Signs:

• ARIES
• TAURUS
• GEMINI
• CANCER
• LEO
• VIRGO
• LIBRA
• SCORPIO
• SAGITTARIUS
• CAPRICORN
• AQUARIUS
• PISCES

Central Earth Labels:

• ASIA
• AFRICA
• AMERICA
• INDIAN OCEAN
• UNKNOWN SOUTHERN LAND?