The Scientific Revolution

Copernicus' Theory

De revolutionibus orbium coelestium, On the Revolution of the Heavenly Spheres, was not published until 1543, the year Copernicus died. This was done by his own wish: he wanted his book published, but he did not want to risk the wrath of the Church while he still lived.

The book was not an immediate success. Many rejected the heliocentric system out of hand, for philosophical or religious reasons, but even the more "scientific" minded had trouble accepting Copernicus' theories.

History of Western Civilization

E.L. Skip Knox
Boise State University

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