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Why did Tycho Brahe and Manderup Parsberg fight the duel that cost Tycho his nose?
The 20-year-old Tycho and his slightly older cousin Manderup Parsberg fought with rapiers in the dark at Rostock on 29 December 1566 over a mathematical disagreement that had begun at a Christmas engagement party. Tycho lost the bridge of his nose. He wore a metal prosthesis — probably brass with thin gold and silver coating — for the rest of his life.
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The Duel Over an Equation In December 1566 the 20-year-old Tycho Brahe and his cousin fought in the dark with rapiers over a mathematical disagreement. Tycho lost the bridge of his nose.
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