Euclid in China: The Genesis of the First Chinese Translation of Euclid’s Elements Books I-VI (Jihe yuanben; Beijing, 1607) and its Reception up to 1723

As part of the Jesuit’s programme of introduction to European culture, in 1607 the Elements of Euclid were translated for the first time into Chinese. The translation of this ancient Greek textbook on deductive geometry meant a confrontation of contemporary Chinese and European cultures. Part 1 of this work deals mainly with the European and Chinese backgrounds, part 2 with linguistic and textual matters. In part 3 the manner in which learned Chinese, mathematical and cultural traditions comes to the fore. The text explores in depth and at various levels the circumstances and mechanisms that shaped the transmission of a key work of science from one language and cultural context onto another. Consequently, Peter Engelfriet’s book offers some often surprising insights into the ways of intercultural exchange and misunderstandings.