Understanding the Universe in Seventh-Century Ireland

Should be in the library of anyone engaged in the study of early Irish civilization, early medieval Western cultural history, late antiquity, or the history of science. CAMBRIAN MEDIEVAL AND CELTIC STUDIES Excellent study...an important and well-written book about the simple but sensible cosmology of early Irish scholars.

• Creation - conclusions; the elements - conclusions; the heaven of heavens - conclusions; the supercelestial waters - conclusions; the firmament - general considerations on the shape and structure of the sky, conclusions, the heavenly bodies - the stars and constellations, the planets, the great luminaries, conclusions, appendix 1 - the star of Bethlehem and astrology, appendix 2 - the animation of the luminaries; the fiery space; the two layers of air - the upper layer, the lower layer, conclusions, meteorological phenomena, conclusions; the sea - the nature of water - sweet or salt?, conclusions, the great abyss, tides, the tides and the moon, conclusions, appendix - sea-weed ashes and salt water; the earth - paradise, the shape of the earth, divisions of the inhabited world, geographical data, are there inhabitants under the earth?, general considerations, conclusions; hell and the purgatorial fire; overview.