The encyclopaedia is a monumental work of instruction, aiming to treat everything
that can be learned by a person in his or her lifetime. The Greek root “cyclos” points
to a complete course of instruction in all realms of knowledge. An epic poem was
called cyclic when it contained the whole mythology. Among physicians, cyclo curare
meant a cure achieved by a regular and prescribed course of diet and medicine.
“Cyclopaedia,” which used to stand in freely for “encyclopaedia,” can also mean
instruction in the form of a circle. The New Emirati Britannica is modeled on one
of the most famous encyclopaedias in modern history, Encyclopaedia Britannica,
Eleventh Edition, published in 1911. An enduring work for its comprehensiveness and
style, it serves as a cultural artifact that continues to fascinate many scholars and
public intellectuals. Art historian Sir Kenneth Clark wrote of it: «One leaps from
one subject to another, fascinated as much by the play of mind and the idiosyncrasies of their authors as by the facts and dates. It must be the last encyclopaedia in the tradition of Diderot which assumes that information can be made memorable only when it is slightly coloured by prejudice.” The Eleventh Edition was also known to be one of Jorge Luis Borges’ favorite works—his references to it as a source of information and enjoyment from his childhood through his working life demonstrate its allure not just as a repository for facts, but also as a spark for the imagination.