Dear gnomonists and experts all, I've just put up a page -- no drawings, maps or figures yet -- on the Horologium Augusti, the great sundial set up by Augustus in Rome using an Egyptian obelisk as a gnomon: as viewed by Samuel Platner, the 1929 author of a classic archaeological reference work, the Topography of Ancient Rome.
I felt it necessary to comment on Platner's estimate of the size of the pavement required for the dial face; and although I seem to get a reasonable result, still have lingering fears I may have got my equations wrong. (I am by no means an expert in astronomy.) Would those of you so *inclined* be so good as to check my page and let me know what you think? It is at <http://www.ukans.edu/history/index/europe/ancient_rome/E/Gazetteer/Periods/Roma n/.Texts/secondary/PLATOP/Obeliscus_Augusti.html> and the note in question is the blue dot at this (even longer) direct local link: <http://www.ukans.edu/history/index/europe/ancient_rome/E/Gazetteer/Periods/Roma n/.Texts/secondary/PLATOP/Obeliscus_Augusti.html#refB> If those URLs are indigestible BTW to this e-mail message, the Horologium page can be reached from the homepage of LacusCurtius (my signature below), by clicking on the "Platner" link; then, on the Platner index page, on "Obeliscus Augusti". Thanks in advance for any and all help (and please have no fear of finding me easily offended by what will after all be my own ignorance). Bill Thayer LacusCurtius http://www.ukans.edu/history/index/europe/ancient_rome/E/Roman
