# Petrus Apianus

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German astronomer, mathematician, and cartographer (1495–1552)

Apianus on a 16th-century engraving by [Theodor de Bry](/source/Theodor_de_Bry)

**Petrus Apianus** (April 16, 1495 – April 21, 1552),[1] also known as **Peter Apian**, **Peter Bennewitz**, and **Peter Bienewitz**, was a German [humanist](/source/Humanism), known for his works in [mathematics](/source/Mathematics), [astronomy](/source/Astronomy) and [cartography](/source/Cartography).[2] His work on "[cosmography](/source/Cosmography)", the field that dealt with the earth and its position in the universe, was presented in his most famous publications, *[Astronomicum Caesareum](/source/Astronomicum_Caesareum)* (1540) and *Cosmographicus liber* (1524). His books were extremely influential in his time, with the numerous editions in multiple languages being published until 1609. The lunar crater *[Apianus](/source/Apianus_(crater))*[3] and asteroid [19139 Apian](/source/19139_Apian) are named in his honour.[2]

## Life and work

A 1545 print of Cosmographia, [Merton College Library](/source/Merton_College_Library), Oxford (2025)

Apianus was born as Peter Bienewitz (or [Bennewitz](/source/Bennewitz)) in [Leisnig](/source/Leisnig) in [Saxony](/source/Electorate_of_Saxony); his father, Martin, was a [shoemaker](/source/Shoemaker). The family was relatively well off, belonging to the middle-class citizenry of Leisnig. Apianus was educated at the [Latin](/source/Latin) school in [Rochlitz](/source/Rochlitz). From 1516–1519 he studied at the [University of Leipzig](/source/University_of_Leipzig); during this time, he Latinized his name to *Apianus* (lat. *[apis](/source/Apis_(genus))* means "bee"; "Biene" is the German word for bee).

In 1519, Apianus moved to [Vienna](/source/Vienna) and continued his studies at the [University of Vienna](/source/University_of_Vienna), which was considered one of the leading universities in geography and mathematics at the time and where [Georg Tannstetter](/source/Georg_Tannstetter) taught. When the [plague](/source/Bubonic_plague) broke out in [Vienna](/source/Vienna) in 1521, he completed his studies with a [B.A.](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts) and moved to [Regensburg](/source/Regensburg) and then to [Landshut](/source/Landshut). At Landshut, he produced his *Cosmographicus Liber* (1524), a highly respected work on [astronomy](/source/Astronomy) and [navigation](/source/Navigation) which was to see more than 40 reprints in four languages (Latin; French, 1544; Dutch, 1545; Spanish, 1548) and that remained popular until the end of the 16th century.[4] Later editions were produced by [Gemma Frisius](/source/Gemma_Frisius).[5]

Cordiform projection in a map of the world by Apianus (1524), which is one of the earliest maps that shows America[6][7]

In 1527, Apianus was called to the [University of Ingolstadt](/source/University_of_Ingolstadt) as a mathematician and printer. His print shop started small. Among the first books he printed were the writings of [Johann Eck](/source/Johann_Eck), [Martin Luther](/source/Martin_Luther)'s antagonist. This print shop was active between 1543 and 1540 and became well known for its high-quality editions of geographic and cartographic works.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] It is thought that he used [stereotype](/source/Stereotype_(printing)) printing techniques on woodblocks.[8] The printer's logo included the motto *Industria superat vires* in Greek, Hebrew, and Latin around the figure of a boy.[9]

A [volvelle](/source/Volvelle) for [lunar eclipses](/source/Lunar_eclipse) from *[Astronomicum Caesareum](/source/Astronomicum_Caesareum)* (1540)

Through his work, Apianus became a favourite of [emperor](/source/Holy_Roman_Emperor) [Charles V](/source/Charles_V%2C_Holy_Roman_Emperor), who had praised *Cosmographicus liber* at the [Imperial Diet](/source/Imperial_Diet_(Holy_Roman_Empire)) of 1530 and granted him a printing monopoly in 1532 and 1534. In 1535, the emperor made Apianus an [armiger](/source/Armiger), i.e. granted him the right to display a [coat of arms](/source/Coat_of_arms). In 1540, Apianus printed the *[Astronomicum Caesareum](/source/Astronomicum_Caesareum)*, dedicated to Charles V. Charles promised him a truly royal sum (3,000 golden [guilders](/source/Gulden_(historical_denomination))),[a] appointed him his court mathematician, and made him a *[Reichsritter](/source/Reichsritter)* (a free imperial knight) and in 1544 even an [Imperial Count Palatine](/source/Count_Palatine_(Imperial)). All this furthered Apianus's reputation as an eminent scientist. *Astronomicum Caesareum* is noted for its visual appeal. Printed and bound decoratively, with about 100 known copies,[11] it included several [Volvelles](/source/Volvelle) that allowed users to calculate dates, the positions of constellations and so on.[12][13][14] Apianus noted that it took a month to produce some of the plates. Thirty-five octagonal paper cut instruments were included with woodcuts that are thought to have been made by Hans Brosamer (c. 1495–1555) who may have trained under Lucas Cranach, Sr. in Wittemberg.[15] It also incorporated star and constellation names from the work of the Arab astronomer *Azophi* ([Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi](/source/Abd_al-Rahman_al-Sufi) 903–986 CE).[16] Apianus is also remembered for publishing the only known depiction of the [Bedouin](/source/Bedouin) constellations in 1533. On this map [Ursa Minor](/source/Ursa_Minor) is an old woman and three maidens, [Draco](/source/Draco_(constellation)) is four camels, and [Cepheus](/source/Cepheus_(constellation)) was illustrated as a shepherd with sheep and a dog.[17][18]

Arms of coat of nobility Apian in [Leisnig](/source/Leisnig), [Saxony](/source/Saxony)

Despite many calls from other universities, including [Leipzig](/source/Leipzig), [Padua](/source/Padua), [Tübingen](/source/T%C3%BCbingen), and [Vienna](/source/Vienna), Apianus remained in [Ingolstadt](/source/Ingolstadt) until his death. He neglected his teaching duties. Apianus's work included in mathematics – in 1527 he published a variation of [Pascal's triangle](/source/Pascal's_triangle), and in 1534 a table of [sines](/source/Sine) – as well as astronomy. In 1531, he observed [Halley's Comet](/source/Halley's_Comet) and noted that a [comet](/source/Comet)'s tail always point away from the sun.[19] [Girolamo Fracastoro](/source/Girolamo_Fracastoro) also detected this in 1531, but Apianus's publication was the first to also include graphics. He designed [sundials](/source/Sundial), published manuals for astronomical instruments and crafted volvelles ("Apian wheels"), measuring instruments useful for calculating time and distance for astronomical and astrological applications.[20][21]

Apianus married Katharina Mosner, the daughter of a councilman of Landshut, in 1526. They had fourteen children together – five daughters and nine sons. One of their children was [Philipp Apian](/source/Philipp_Apian) (1531–1589), who preserved the legacy of his father, in addition to his own research.[22]

## Works

Apian's geocentric cosmology from *Cosmographia*, 1524

*Folium populi*, 1533

- [*Cosmographicus liber*](https://gutenberg.beic.it/webclient/DeliveryManager?pid=6966) (in Latin). Landshut: Johann Weissenburger. 1524.[23] (also called *Cosmographia*) - [*Cosmographicus liber*](https://gutenberg.beic.it/webclient/DeliveryManager?pid=160514) (in Latin). Antwerpen: Jean Bellère (1.; 1553-1595). 1584.

- *Ein newe und wolgegründete underweisung aller Kauffmanns Rechnung in dreyen Büchern, mit schönen Regeln und fragstücken begriffen*, Ingolstadt 1527. A handbook of commercial arithmetic; depicted in the painting *The Ambassadors* by [Hans Holbein the Younger](/source/Hans_Holbein_the_Younger).

- *Cosmographiae introductio, cum quibusdam Geometriae ac Astronomiae principiis ad eam rem necessariis*, Ingolstadt 1529.[24]: 4

- *Ein kurtzer bericht der Observation unnd urtels des jüngst erschinnen Cometen...*, Ingolstadt 1532. On his comet observations.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

- *Quadrans Apiani astronomicus*, Ingolstadt 1532. On [quadrants](/source/Quadrant_(instrument)).[24]: 90

- *Horoscopion Apiani...*, Ingolstadt 1533. On sundials.[24]: 91

- [*Folium populi*](https://gutenberg.beic.it/webclient/DeliveryManager?pid=1211192) (in Latin). Ingolstadt: Peter Apian. 1533.

- *Instrument Buch...*, Ingolstadt 1533. A scientific book on astronomical instruments in German.[24]: 97

- [*Instrumentum primi mobilis*](https://gutenberg.beic.it/webclient/DeliveryManager?pid=1211241) (in Latin). Nürnberg: Johann Petreius. 1534.. On [trigonometry](/source/Trigonometry), contains sine tables.[24]: 103

- [*Astronomicum Caesareum*](https://bibliotheque.bordeaux.fr/in/imageReader.xhtml?id=BordeauxS_B330636101_A184R_JPEG&pageIndex=1&mode=simple&selectedTab=thumbnail). Ingolstadt. 1540. p. 126.

		- *Instrumentum primi mobilis*, 1534

## Footnotes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Whether Apian ever received the promised money is uncertain; in any case he wrote a letter to the emperor in 1549 asking him to finally pay the promised sum.[10]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Kish (1970)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-MPC-object_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-MPC-object_2-1) ["19139 Apian (1989 GJ8)"](http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/db_search/show_object?object_id=19139). *Minor Planet Center*. Retrieved 3 January 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-GPN_3-0)** ["Apianus"](https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/320). *Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature*. USGS Astrogeology Research Program.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Röttel, Hermine; Kauzner, Wolfgang (1995). "Die Druckwerke Peter Apians [*The printed works of Peter Apian*]". In Röttel, K. (ed.). *Peter Apian: Astronomie, Kosmographie, und Mathematik am Beginn der Neuzeit* [*Peter Apian: Astronomy, cosmography, and mathematics at the beginning of the modern era*] (in German). Buxheim, DE / Eichstätt, DE: Polygon-Verlag. pp. 255–276.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** van den Broecke, Steven (2006). "The use of visual media in Renaissance cosmography: The cosmography of Peter Apian and Gemma Frisius". *Paedagogica Historica*. **36**: 130–150. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1080/0030923000360107](https://doi.org/10.1080%2F0030923000360107). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [143068275](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:143068275).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Keuning, Johannes (2008). "The history of geographical map projections until 1600". *[Imago Mundi](/source/Imago_Mundi)*. **12**: 1–24. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1080/03085695508592085](https://doi.org/10.1080%2F03085695508592085).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Kish, George (2008). "The cosmographic heart: Cordiform maps of the 16th century". *[Imago Mundi](/source/Imago_Mundi)*. **19**: 13–21. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1080/03085696508592261](https://doi.org/10.1080%2F03085696508592261).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Woodward, David (2008). "Some evidence for the use of stereotyping on Peter Apian's world map of 1530". *[Imago Mundi](/source/Imago_Mundi)*. **24**: 43–48. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1080/03085697008592348](https://doi.org/10.1080%2F03085697008592348).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Johnson, A.F. (June 1965). ["Devices of German printers, 1501–1540"](https://academic.oup.com/library/article/s5-XX/2/81/936460). *[The Library](/source/The_Library_(journal))*. s5-XX (2): 81–107. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1093/library/s5-xx.2.81](https://doi.org/10.1093%2Flibrary%2Fs5-xx.2.81). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0024-2160](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0024-2160).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Apian, Peter (ursprünglich Bienewitz oder Bennewitz)"](http://www.bautz.de/bbkl/a/apian_p.shtml). *Bautz.de*. Retrieved 19 March 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Gingerich, Owen (2016). "Apianus's *Astronomicum Caesareum* and its Leipzig facsimile". *[Journal for the History of Astronomy](/source/Journal_for_the_History_of_Astronomy)*. **2** (3): 168–177. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1177/002182867100200303](https://doi.org/10.1177%2F002182867100200303). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [125121795](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:125121795).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Gislén, Lars (2017). "Apinanus' latitude volvelles – how were they made?". *[Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage](/source/Journal_of_Astronomical_History_and_Heritage)*. **20**: 13–20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Stebbins, F.A. (1959). "A sixteenth-century planetarium". *[Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada](/source/Journal_of_the_Royal_Astronomical_Society_of_Canada)*. **53**: 197–203. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1959JRASC..53..197S](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1959JRASC..53..197S).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Apian, Peter; Ionides, S.A. (January 1936). "Caesars' astronomy: (*Astronomicum Caesareum*)". *[Osiris](/source/Osiris_(journal))*. **1**: 356–389. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1086/368431](https://doi.org/10.1086%2F368431). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0369-7827](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0369-7827). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [145478879](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:145478879).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Kremer, Richard L. (2011). "Experimenting with paper instruments in fifteenth-and sixteenth-century astronomy: Computing syzygies with isotemporal lines and salt dishes". *[Journal for the History of Astronomy](/source/Journal_for_the_History_of_Astronomy)*. **42** (2): 223–258. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2011JHA....42..223K](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2011JHA....42..223K). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1177/002182861104200207](https://doi.org/10.1177%2F002182861104200207). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [118175748](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:118175748).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Kunitzsch, Paul (2016). "Peter Apian and 'AZOPHI': Arabic Constellations in Renaissance Astronomy". *[Journal for the History of Astronomy](/source/Journal_for_the_History_of_Astronomy)*. **18** (2): 117–124. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1177/002182868701800204](https://doi.org/10.1177%2F002182868701800204). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [120627901](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:120627901).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Stott, Carole (1995). *Celestial Charts, Antique Maps of the Heavens*. London, UK: Studio Editions. pp. 38–39.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Petrus Apianus's chart of 1533"](http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/apianus1533.html). *Star Tales*. Retrieved 25 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Barker, Peter (2008). "Stoic alternatives to Aristotelian cosmology: Pena, Rothmann, and Brahe, summary". *[Revue d'histoire des sciences](/source/Centre_national_de_la_recherche_scientifique)* (in French). **61** (2): 265–286. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.3917/rhs.612.0265](https://doi.org/10.3917%2Frhs.612.0265). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0151-4105](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0151-4105).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Wolfschmidt, Gudrun (1995). "Peter Apian as an astronomical instrument maker". *[Astronomische Gesellschaft](/source/Astronomische_Gesellschaft) Abstract Series*. **11**: 107. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1995AGAb...11..107W](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1995AGAb...11..107W).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** North, J.D. (1966). "Werner, Apian, Blagrave, and the meteoroscope". *[The British Journal for the History of Science](/source/The_British_Journal_for_the_History_of_Science)*. **3** (1): 57–65. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1017/s0007087400000194](https://doi.org/10.1017%2Fs0007087400000194). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1474-001X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1474-001X). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [143560300](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:143560300).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Kern, Ralf (2010). *Wissenschaftliche Instrumente in ihrer Zeit* [*Scientific Instruments in their Period*] (in German). Vol. 1: Vom Astrolab zum mathematischen Besteck [From the astrolabe to mathematical instruments]. Köln, DE. p. 332.{{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_location_missing_publisher))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Crupi, Gianfranco (2019). ["Volvelles of knowledge : origin and development of an instrument of scientific imagination (13th-17th centuries)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20201128060648/https://www.jlis.it/article/view/12534). *JLIS.it*. **10** (2). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.4403/jlis.it-12534](https://doi.org/10.4403%2Fjlis.it-12534). Archived from [the original](https://www.jlis.it/article/view/12534) on 2020-11-28. Retrieved 2020-12-18.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Van_Ostroy_25-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Van_Ostroy_25-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Van_Ostroy_25-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Van_Ostroy_25-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Van_Ostroy_25-4) van Ostroy, Fernand Gratien (1902). [*Bibliographie de l'oeuvre de Pierre Apian*](https://books.google.com/books?id=G-wSAQAAMAAJ) (in French). P. Jacquin.

## Further reading

- Kish, George (1970). ["Apian, Peter"](https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/science-and-technology/geography-biographies/peter-apian). *[Dictionary of Scientific Biography](/source/Dictionary_of_Scientific_Biography)*. Vol. 1. New York: [Charles Scribner's Sons](/source/Charles_Scribner's_Sons). pp. 178–179. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-684-10114-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-684-10114-9).

- Röttel, K. (Ed.): *Peter Apian: Astronomie, Kosmographie und Mathematik am Beginn der Neuzeit*, Polygon-Verlag 1995; [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [3-928671-12-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/3-928671-12-X). In German.

- Christian Kahl (2005). "Apian, Peter (ursprünglich Bienewitz oder Bennewitz)". In Bautz, Traugott (ed.). [*Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon (BBKL)*](https://www.bbkl.de/a/apian_p) (in German). Vol. 24. Nordhausen: Bautz. cols. 107–114. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [3-88309-247-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/3-88309-247-9).

- [Peter and Philipp Apian](https://web.archive.org/web/20060601063342/http://home.arcor.de/apian/geschichte/peter.htm), in German.

- Ralf Kern. Wissenschaftliche Instrumente in ihrer Zeit. Volume 1: Vom Astrolab zum mathematischen Besteck. Cologne, 2010.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Petrus Apianus](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Petrus_Apianus).

- O'Connor, John J.; [Robertson, Edmund F.](/source/Edmund_F._Robertson), ["Petrus Apianus"](https://mathshistory.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Apianus.html), *[MacTutor History of Mathematics Archive](/source/MacTutor_History_of_Mathematics_Archive)*, [University of St Andrews](/source/University_of_St_Andrews)

- [Petrus Apianus](http://brunelleschi.imss.fi.it/genscheda.asp?appl=SIM&xsl=biografia&lingua=ENG&chiave=300068).

- [*Astronomicum Caesareum*](https://www.e-rara.ch/zut/content/titleinfo/2434893) at the library of the [ETH Zurich](/source/ETH_Zurich).

- [*Astronomicum Caesareum*](http://www.rarebookroom.org/Control/appast/index.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210524212201/http://www.rarebookroom.org/Control/appast/index.html) 2021-05-24 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) at [Rare Book Room](/source/Rare_Book_Room).

- [Astronomicum Caesareum, Ingolstadt 1540 da www.atlascoelestis.com](http://www.atlascoelestis.com/ApianusPaginabase1.htm)

- [Electronic facsimile-editions of the rare book collection at the Vienna Institute of Astronomy](http://www.univie.ac.at/hwastro)

- [Online Galleries, History of Science Collections, University of Oklahoma Libraries](https://web.archive.org/web/20120324053652/http://hos.ou.edu/galleries//01Ancient/HeroOfAlexandria/1575//15thCentury/Vespucci//16thCentury/Apian/) High resolution images of works by and/or portraits of Petrus Apianus in .jpg and .tiff format.

- [Horoscopion Apiani Generale…, Ingolstadt 1533 da www.atlascoelestis.com](http://www.atlascoelestis.com/Horos%20Pagina.htm)

- [Cosmographiae Introductio, 1537](http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.rbc/thacher.65114) from the Collections at the Library of Congress

- [Cosmographia, 1564](https://archive.org/stream/cosmographiaapia00apia#page/n3/mode/2up) (1st edition was 1524)

- Objects related to [Petrus Apianus](https://urus.uw.edu.pl/person/198) in the [Urus : Techniques and Reception of Graphic Art in Central and Eastern Europe (15th–18th centuries)](https://urus.uw.edu.pl/) database

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND FAST WorldCat National United States France BnF data Italy Czech Republic Spain Portugal Netherlands Norway Chile Sweden Poland Vatican Israel Finland Catalonia Belgium Croatia Academics CiNii zbMATH MathSciNet Artists Scientific illustrators People Trove Deutsche Biographie DDB Other IdRef Open Library SNAC Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Petrus Apianus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrus_Apianus) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrus_Apianus?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.