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John of Saxony or Johannes de Saxonia or John Danko or Dancowe of Saxony was an early medieval astronomer. Although his exact birthplace is unknown it is believed he was born in Germany, most likely Magdeburg. His scholarly work is believed to date from the end of the 13th century into the mid 14th century. He spent most of his active career, from about 1327 to 1355, at the University of Paris. __FORCETOC__ ==Scholarly Work== John of Saxony is quoted in various medieval manuscripts and referenced as the author of various astronomical or astrological treatises, even though his authorship in some cases is questionable. A ''computus'' dating back to 1297 is attributed to John of Saxony even though the author is listed as Iohannes Alemanus. The fact that the geographical longitudes of Paris and Magdeburg, considered John's birthplace, among other facts is why some historians consider him the author. Viewed with less suspicion is his commentary on ''Liber Introductorius ad Magisterium Idiciorum Astrorum'' written by al-Qabisi (Alcabitius) an Arab scholar from the late 10th century. John of Saxony's commentary on this treatise is preserved in many manuscripts, several incunabula and old prints, the latest of which dates from the middle of the 16th century.〔 Among his other contributions were a commentary on Alcabitius's ''Introduction to the art of astrology,''〔''Introductorium ad judicia astronomiae'', 〕 which went through eleven printed editions, and an ''Almanach'' for the years 1336 to 1380 that he computed for the meridian of Paris using the Alfonsine tables.〔Lynn Thorndike, ''A History of Magic and Experimental Science,'' vol. 3, (New York: Columbia University Press, 1934), pp. 262-6.〕 John of Saxony was of the opinion that astronomers of that time wrote their works in such a confusing manner that those who weren't trained in the field couldn't comprehend nor use appropriately. Under the tutelage of his master, John of Ligneres, he sought to write tables that accounted for any situation and could be put to practical use. As he puts it "Therefore to the praise of glorious God, the honor of my master, and the profit of scholars who wish to learn the workings of astronomical tables, I, John of Saxony, with God's aid intend to give examples of all the operations which are commonly performed with tables so that there may be no one henceforth who will shrink from the use and employment of tables of the stars because of the difficulty working with them." 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「John of Saxony (astronomer)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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