Book

Solution du problème déliaque

📖 Overview

Solution du problème déliaque (Solution to the Delian Problem) is Giacomo Casanova's 1790 mathematical treatise attempting to solve the ancient Greek challenge of doubling the cube using only a compass and straightedge. The text presents Casanova's proposed geometric construction method, complete with detailed proofs and illustrations. He submitted this work to the Paris Academy of Sciences for review and potential publication. Written in French during Casanova's later years in Bohemia, the book represents his serious engagement with mathematics and his desire for recognition in scholarly circles. The manuscript remained unpublished during his lifetime. The work stands as an intersection between classical mathematical tradition and Enlightenment-era intellectual pursuits, reflecting both the period's renewed interest in ancient problems and the broader cultural shift toward rational inquiry.

👀 Reviews

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Giacomo Casanova's overall work: Readers appreciate Casanova's memoirs for their historical detail and candid portrayal of 18th-century European society. Many note his sharp observations of customs, fashion, food, and social interactions across different countries. What readers liked: - Rich descriptions of everyday life in various European cities - Personal encounters with historical figures like Mozart and Voltaire - Detailed accounts of period clothing, cuisine, and entertainment - Writing style that brings historical settings to life - "His descriptions of Venice make you feel like you're walking the streets," notes one Goodreads reviewer What readers disliked: - Length and repetitive nature of some passages - Self-aggrandizing tone - Treatment of women as conquests - Unreliable narration of certain events - "Sometimes gets bogged down in mundane details," comments an Amazon reviewer Ratings across platforms: - Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,500+ ratings) - Amazon: 4.2/5 (150+ ratings) - LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (300+ ratings) Most reviews focus on the historical value rather than literary merit.

📚 Similar books

De Quadratura Circuli by Christoph Clau A geometric treatise exploring mathematical solutions to the classical problem of squaring the circle.

Nova Stereometria Doliorum Vinariorum by Johannes Kepler An examination of mathematical methods for calculating the volume of wine barrels using infinitesimals and early calculus concepts.

Cyclometrica Elementa by James Gregory A detailed mathematical investigation of circle measurement and the properties of transcendental numbers.

De Circuli Magnitudine Inventa by Christiaan Huygens A mathematical work presenting methods for approximating pi and solving geometric problems related to circles.

Dimensio Circuli by Adriaan van Roomen A mathematical text focusing on circle measurement and geometric constructions using classical Greek methods.

🤔 Interesting facts

🔷 Published in 1790, this mathematical work attempted to solve the ancient "Delian problem" of doubling the cube - one of the three classic geometric problems of antiquity that had puzzled mathematicians for centuries. 🔷 While Casanova is famously known for his romantic adventures and memoir "Histoire de ma vie," he was also a mathematician who wrote several works on geometric problems and mathematical theory. 🔷 The book was written during Casanova's later years while working as a librarian at Dux Castle (now Duchcov Castle) in Bohemia, where he spent his final 13 years. 🔷 The Delian problem got its name from the legend of Apollo's oracle at Delos, which demanded that the Athenians double the size of a cubic altar to stop a plague - proving impossible with only compass and straightedge. 🔷 Though Casanova's proposed solution was ultimately incorrect (the problem was later proven impossible in 1837), it demonstrates the widespread fascination geometrical problems held for 18th-century intellectuals.