Le "Grand commentaire" de Théon d'Alexandrie aux tables faciles de Ptolémée

This scholarly volume serves as a critical edition of the 'Great Commentary' composed by the fourth-century mathematician and astronomer Theon of Alexandria. Theon’s work was primarily designed to explain and refine the 'Handy Tables' of Ptolemy, which were essential tools for celestial calculation in the late antique world. By providing detailed instructions and pedagogical examples, Theon ensured that Ptolemy's complex astronomical systems remained accessible and functional for contemporary scholars of the Byzantine period.

The 1991 publication by the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana reflects the institution's commitment to the preservation and academic analysis of foundational scientific texts. This edition was produced for researchers specializing in the history of mathematics and classical astronomy, intended to offer an authoritative version of the commentary based on existing manuscript traditions. Its reception within the academic community has been marked by its utility as a primary reference for understanding the transmission of Hellenistic scientific knowledge to medieval readers.