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CHAPTER XXXV
CHAPTER XXXV
THE EARLY SCHOLASTICS: PETER ABELARD AND HUGH OF ST. VICTOR Relation of scholastic theology to our theme—Character of Abelard’s learning—Incorrect statements of his views—The nature of the stars—Prediction of natural and contingent events—The Magi and the star—Demons and forces in nature—Magic and natural science—Hugh of St. Victor—Character of the Didascalicon —Meaning of Physica —The study of history—The two mathematics: astrology, natural and superstitious—The superlunar and sublunar worlds—D
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PREFACE
PREFACE
This work has been long in preparation—ever since in 1902-1903 Professor James Harvey Robinson, when my mind was still in the making, suggested the study of magic in medieval universities as the subject of my thesis for the master’s degree at Columbia University—and has been foreshadowed by other publications, some of which are listed under my name in the preliminary bibliography. Since this was set up in type there have also appeared: “Galen: the Man and His Times,” in The Scientific Monthly ,
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APPENDIX I
APPENDIX I
SOME MANUSCRIPTS OF DE BESTIIS ET ALIIS REBUS OR THE GILDED DOVE The De bestiis et aliis rebus or Columba deargentata appears with other opuscula of Hugh of St. Victor or Hugh of Folieto in Vendôme 156, 12th century, fol. 1v—, “Libellus cuiusdam ad fratrem Rainerum corde benignum qui Columba deargentata inscribitur. Desiderii tui, karissime, petitionibus satisfacere....” Dijon anciens fonds 225, 12th century, fols. 92v-98, “Prologus Hugonis prioris in librum de tribus columbis. Desiderii tui, ka
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ABBREVIATIONS
ABBREVIATIONS
DESIGNATION OF MANUSCRIPTS Individual manuscripts are usually briefly designated in the ensuing notes and appendices by a single word indicating the place or collection where the MS is found and the number or shelf-mark of the individual MS. So many of the catalogues of MSS collections which I consulted were undated and without name of author that I have decided to attempt no catalogue of them. The brief designations that I give will be sufficient for anyone who is interested in MSS. In giving L
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LIST OF WORKS FREQUENTLY CITED BY AUTHOR AND DATE OF PUBLICATION OR BRIEF TITLE
LIST OF WORKS FREQUENTLY CITED BY AUTHOR AND DATE OF PUBLICATION OR BRIEF TITLE
For more detailed bibliography on specific topics and for editions or manuscripts of the texts used see the bibliographies, references, and appendices to individual chapters. I also include here some works of general interest or of rather cursory character which I have not had occasion to mention elsewhere; and I usually add, for purposes of differentiation, other works in our field by an author than those works by him which are frequently cited. Of the many histories of the sciences, medicine,
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CHAPTER XXXVI
CHAPTER XXXVI
ADELARD OF BATH Place in medieval learning—Some dates in his career—Mathematical treatises—Adelard and alchemy—Importance of the Natural Questions —Occasion of writing—Arabic versus Gallic learning—“Modern discoveries”—Medieval work wrongly credited to Greek and Arab—Illustrated from the history of alchemy—Science and religion—Reason versus authority—Need of the telescope and microscope already felt—Some quaint speculative science—Warfare, science, and religion—Specimens of medieval scientific c
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APPENDIX I
APPENDIX I
THE PROBLEM OF DATING THE DE EODEM ET DIVERSO AND QUESTIONES NATURALES AND OF THEIR RELATIONS TO EACH OTHER It is a difficult matter to fix the date either of the De eodem et diverso or of the Questiones naturales , and to account satisfactorily for the various allusions to contemporary events and to Adelard’s own movements which occur in either. It is not even entirely certain which treatise was written first, as neither contains an unmistakable allusion to the other. On general grounds the De
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CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
Aim of this book—Period covered—How to study the history of thought—Definition of magic—Magic of primitive man; does civilization originate in magic?—Divination in early China—Magic in ancient Egypt—Magic and Egyptian religion—Mortuary magic—Magic in daily life—Power of words, images, amulets—Magic in Egyptian medicine—Demons and disease—Magic and science—Magic and industry—Alchemy—Divination and astrology—The sources for Assyrian and Babylonian magic—Was astrology Sumerian or Chaldean?—The numb
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CHAPTER XXXVII
CHAPTER XXXVII
WILLIAM OF CONCHES His relation to his time—Early life—Writings— Philosophia : general character—Contemporary education—Good and bad demons—Astronomy and astrology—Extent of the influence of the stars—Science and religion—Letter of William of St. Thierry to St. Bernard—Extent of William’s retraction in the Dragmaticon —Reassertion of previous views—No denial of science—William’s future influence—Appendix I. Editions and Manuscripts of the Original and of the Revised Version of the Work of Willia
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APPENDIX I SOME WORKS ON MAGIC, RELIGION, AND ASTRONOMY IN BABYLONIA AND ASSYRIA
APPENDIX I SOME WORKS ON MAGIC, RELIGION, AND ASTRONOMY IN BABYLONIA AND ASSYRIA
The following books deal expressly with the magic of Assyria and Babylonia: Fossey, C. La magie assyrienne; étude suivie de textes magiques, Paris, 1902. King, L. W. Babylonian Magic and Sorcery, being “The Prayers of the Lifting of the Hand,” London, 1896. Laurent, A. La magie et la divination chez les Chaldéo-Assyriens, Paris, 1894. Lenormant, F. Chaldean Magic and Sorcery, English translation, London, 1878. Schwab, M., in Proc. Bibl. Archæology (1890), pp. 292-342, on magic bowls from Assyria
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FOREWORD
FOREWORD
A trio of great names, Pliny, Galen, and Ptolemy, stand out above all others in the history of science under the Roman Empire. In the use or criticism which they make of earlier writers and investigators they are also our chief sources for the science of the preceding Hellenistic period. By their voluminousness, their generous scope in ground covered, and their broad, liberal, personal outlooks, they have painted, in colors for the most part imperishable, extensive canvasses of the scientific sp
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APPENDIX I
APPENDIX I
EDITIONS AND MANUSCRIPTS OF THE ORIGINAL AND OF THE REVISED VERSION OF THE WORK OF WILLIAM OF CONCHES ON NATURAL PHILOSOPHY Although, as the ensuing bibliography will make apparent, a variety of titles have been at one time or another applied to the two versions of the work in question, we shall refer to the original version as Philosophia and the revision as Dragmaticon , which appear to be both the handiest and the most correct appellations, although personally I should prefer Dramaticus for t
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CHAPTER XXXVIII
CHAPTER XXXVIII
SOME TWELFTH CENTURY TRANSLATORS, CHIEFLY OF ASTROLOGY FROM THE ARABIC IN SPAIN Importance of medieval translations—Plan of this chapter—Transmission of Arabic astrology—Walcher, prior of Malvern—Pedro Alfonso—His letter to the Peripatetics—Experimental method—Magic and scepticism in the Disciplina clericalis —John of Seville—Dates in his career—Further works by him, chiefly astrological—John’s experimental astrology—Gundissalinus De divisione philosophiae —Place of magic in the classification o
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CHAPTER II PLINY’S NATURAL HISTORY
CHAPTER II PLINY’S NATURAL HISTORY
I. Its Place in the History of Science Its importance in our investigation—As a collection of miscellaneous information—As a repository of ancient natural science—As a source for magic—Pliny’s career—His writings—His own description of the Natural History —His devotion to science—Conflict of science and religion—Pliny not a trained naturalist—His use of authorities—His lack of arrangement and classification—His scepticism and credulity—A guide to ancient science—His medieval influence—Early prin
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APPENDIX I
APPENDIX I
SOME MEDIEVAL JOHNS, MENTIONED IN THE MANUSCRIPTS, IN THE FIELDS OF NATURAL AND OCCULT SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, AND MEDICINE Johannes Anglicus: see John of Montpellier. Johannes Archangel: Additional 22773, 13th century, fol. 45, “Tabule Johannis Archangeli” astronomiae; said to be the same as Johannes Campanus. Johannes de Beltone, Sloane 314, 15th century, fol. 106, Experimentum de re astrologica bonum (imperfect). Johannes Blanchinus, BN 7268, Distinctiones in Ptolemaei almagestum; BN 7269, 7270
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CHAPTER III SENECA AND PTOLEMY: NATURAL DIVINATION AND ASTROLOGY
CHAPTER III SENECA AND PTOLEMY: NATURAL DIVINATION AND ASTROLOGY
Seneca’s Natural Questions —Nature study as an ethical substitute for existing religion—Limited field of Seneca’s work—Marvels accepted, questioned, or denied—Belief in natural divination and astrology—Divination from thunder—Ptolemy—His two chief works—His mathematical method—Attitude towards authority and observation—The Optics —Medieval translations of Almagest — Tetrabiblos or Quadripartitum —A genuine reflection of Ptolemy’s approval of astrology—Validity of Astrology—Influence of the stars
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CHAPTER IV GALEN
CHAPTER IV GALEN
I. The Man and His Times Recent ignorance of Galen—His voluminous works—The manuscript tradition of his works—His vivid personality—Birth and parentage—Education in philosophy and medicine—First visit to Rome—Relations with the emperors; later life—His unfavorable picture of the learned world—Corruption of the medical profession—Lack of real search for truth—Poor doctors and medical students—Medical discovery in his time—The drug trade—The imperial stores—Galen’s private supply of drugs—Mediterr
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CHAPTER XXXIX
CHAPTER XXXIX
BERNARD SILVESTER: ASTROLOGY AND GEOMANCY Problem of his identity—His works—Their influence—Disregard of Christian theology—The divine stars—Orders of spirits—The stars rule nature and reveal the future—Plot of the Mathematicus —Different interpretations put upon the Mathematicus —Hildebert’s Hermaphrodite’s horoscope—The art of geomancy—Prologue of the Experimentarius —Pictures of Bernard Silvester—Problem of a spying-tube and Hermann’s relation to the Experimentarius —Text of the Experimentari
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APPENDIX I
APPENDIX I
MANUSCRIPTS OF THE EXPERIMENTARIUS OF BERNARD SILVESTER Digby 46, 14th century, fols. 7v-39v. Ashmole 304, 13th century, fols. 2r-30v. Sloane 3857, 17th century, fols. 164-95. These three MSS are much alike both in the Experimentarius proper and the other tracts of divination which accompany it. Digby 46 has more of them than either of the others and more pictures than Ashmole 304. Sloane 3857 has no pictures. I have given the numbers of the folios only for the Experimentarius proper. Sloane 247
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CHAPTER V ANCIENT APPLIED SCIENCE AND MAGIC: VITRUVIUS, HERO, AND THE GREEK ALCHEMISTS
CHAPTER V ANCIENT APPLIED SCIENCE AND MAGIC: VITRUVIUS, HERO, AND THE GREEK ALCHEMISTS
The sources—Vitruvius depicts architecture as free from magic—But himself believes in occult virtues and perfect numbers—Also in astrology—Divergence between theory and practice, learning and art—Evils in contemporary learning—Authorities and inventions—Machines and Ctesibius—Hero of Alexandria—Medieval working over of the texts—Hero’s thaumaturgy—Instances of experimental proof—Magic jugs and drinking animals—Various automatons and devices—Magic mirrors—Astrology and occult virtue—Date of extan
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CHAPTER VI PLUTARCH’S ESSAYS
CHAPTER VI PLUTARCH’S ESSAYS
Themes of ensuing chapters—Life of Plutarch—Superstition in Plutarch’s Lives —His Morals or Essays —Question of their authenticity—Magic in Plutarch— Essay on Superstition —Plutarch hospitable toward some superstitions—The oracles of Delphi and of Trophonius—Divination justified—Demons as mediators between gods and men—Demons in the moon: migration of the soul—Demons mortal: some evil—Men and demons—Relation of Plutarch’s to other conceptions of demons—The astrologer Tarrutius— De fato —Other bi
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CHAPTER XL
CHAPTER XL
SAINT HILDEGARD OF BINGEN: 1098-1179 Was Hildegard influenced by Bernard Silvester?—(Bibliographical note)—Her personality and reputation—Dates of her works—Question of their genuineness—Question of her knowledge of Latin—Subject-matter of her works—Relations between science and religion in them—Her peculiar views concerning winds and rivers—Her suggestions concerning drinking-water—The devil as the negative principle—Natural substances and evil spirits—Stars and fallen angels; sin and nature—Na
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CHAPTER XLI
CHAPTER XLI
JOHN OF SALISBURY His picture of the learned world—Chief events of his life—General character of the Polycraticus —Magic, maleficia , and mathematica —Use of Isidore on magic—Relation of Thomas Becket to John’s discussion—Inconsistent Christian attitude toward superstition—Divine and natural signs—Miracle and occult virtue—Interpretation of dreams—Dreams of Joseph and Daniel—The witchcraft delusion—Prevalence of astrology—John’s attack upon it—Does astrology imply fatal necessity?—John’s lame co
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CHAPTER VII APULEIUS OF MADAURA
CHAPTER VII APULEIUS OF MADAURA
I. Life and Works Magic and the man—Stylistic reasons for regarding the Metamorphoses as his first work—Biographical reasons—No mention of the Metamorphoses in the Apology . II. Magic in the Metamorphoses Powers claimed for magic—Its actual performances—Its limitations—The crimes of witches—Male magicians—Magic as an art and discipline—Materials employed—Incantations and rites—Quacks and charlatans—Various superstitions—Bits of science and religion—Magic in other Greek romances. III. Magic in th
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CHAPTER XLII
CHAPTER XLII
DANIEL OF MORLEY AND ROGER OF HEREFORD: OR ASTROLOGY IN ENGLAND IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE TWELFTH CENTURY Daniel’s education—(Bibliographical note)—Defense of Arabian learning—A moderate treatment of moot points between science and religion—The four elements and fifth essence—Superiors and inferiors—Daniel’s astronomy—Astrological argument—Astrology and other sciences—Daniel and Greek: a misinterpretation—Daniel and the church: a misinterpretation—Daniel’s future influence—Roger of Hereford—An a
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CHAPTER VIII PHILOSTRATUS’S LIFE OF APOLLONIUS OF TYANA
CHAPTER VIII PHILOSTRATUS’S LIFE OF APOLLONIUS OF TYANA
Compared with Apuleius—Philostratus’s sources—Time and space covered—Philostratus’s audience—Object of the Life —Apollonius charged with magic—A confusion of terms—The Magi and magic—Apollonius and the Magi —Philostratus on wizards—Apollonius and wizards—Quacks and old-wives—The Brahmans—Marvels of the Brahmans—Magical methods of the Brahmans—Medicine of the Brahmans—Some signs of astrology—Interest in natural science—Natural law or special providence?—Cases of scepticism—Anecdotes of animals—Dr
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CHAPTER XLIII
CHAPTER XLIII
ALEXANDER NECKAM ON THE NATURES OF THINGS Birth and childhood—Education—The state of learning in his time—Popular science and mechanical arts—His works— De naturis rerum —Neckam’s citations—His knowledge of Aristotle—Use of recent authors—Contemporary opinion of Neckam—His attitude toward natural science—Science and the Bible—His own knowledge of science—Incredible stories of animals—A chapter on the cock—Effect of sin upon nature—Neckam on occult virtues—Fascination—His limited belief in astrol
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CHAPTER IX LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL ATTACKS UPON SUPERSTITION: CICERO, FAVORINUS, SEXTUS EMPIRICUS, AND LUCIAN
CHAPTER IX LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL ATTACKS UPON SUPERSTITION: CICERO, FAVORINUS, SEXTUS EMPIRICUS, AND LUCIAN
Authors to be considered—Their standpoint— De divinatione ; argument of Quintus—Cicero attacks past authority—Divination distinct from natural science—Unreasonable in method—Requires violation of natural law—Cicero and astrology—His crude historical criticism—Favorinus against astrologers—Sextus Empiricus— Lucius , or The Ass : is it by Lucian?—Career of Lucian— Alexander the pseudo-prophet —Magical procedure in medicine satirized—Snake-charming—A Hyperborean magician—Some ghost stories—Pancrate
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CHAPTER X THE SPURIOUS MYSTIC WRITINGS OF HERMES, ORPHEUS, AND ZOROASTER
CHAPTER X THE SPURIOUS MYSTIC WRITINGS OF HERMES, ORPHEUS, AND ZOROASTER
Mystic works of revelation—The Hermetic books— Poimandres and the Hermetic Corpus —Astrological treatises ascribed to Hermes—Hermetic works of alchemy—Nechepso and Petosiris—Manetho—The Lithica of Orpheus—Argument of the poem—Magic powers of stones—Magic rites to gain powers of divination—Power of gems compared with herbs—Magic herbs and demons in Orphic rites—Books ascribed to Zoroaster— The Chaldean Oracles . There were in circulation in the Roman Empire many writings which purported to be of
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CHAPTER XLIV
CHAPTER XLIV
MOSES MAIMONIDES (MUSA IBN MAIMUN) 1135-1204 His life—His works in the west—His works in Latin—Attitude to science and religion—Attitude to magic—Towards empiricism—Abuse of divine names—Occult virtue and empirical remedies in his work on poisons—Attitude to astrology—Divination and prophecy—Marvels in the Aphorisms . In this chapter we turn to consider perhaps the leading representative of Hebrew learning in the middle ages, Moses Maimonides [619] or Musa ibn Maimum or Moses ben Maimon, as he i
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CHAPTER XLV
CHAPTER XLV
HERMETIC BOOKS IN THE MIDDLE AGES Prince Khalid ibn Jazid and The Book of Morienus —Robert of Chester’s preface—The story of Morienus and Calid—The secret of the philosopher’s stone—Later medieval works of alchemy ascribed to Hermes—Medieval citations of Hermes otherwise than as an alchemist—Astrological treatises— Of the Six Principles of Things — Liber lune —Images of the seven planets— Book of Venus of Toz Graecus—Further mentions of Toz Graecus—Toz the same as Thoth or Trismegistus—Magic exp
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CHAPTER XI NEO-PLATONISM AND ITS RELATIONS TO ASTROLOGY AND THEURGY
CHAPTER XI NEO-PLATONISM AND ITS RELATIONS TO ASTROLOGY AND THEURGY
Neo-Platonism and the occult—Plotinus on magic—The life of reason is alone free from magic—Plotinus unharmed by magic—Invoking the demon of Plotinus—Rite of strangling birds—Plotinus and astrology—The stars as signs—The divine star-souls—How do the stars cause and signify?—Other causes and signs than the stars—Stars not the cause of evil—Against the astrology of the Gnostics—Fate and free-will—Summary of the attitude of Plotinus to astrology—Porphyry’s Letter to Anebo —Its main argument—Question
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CHAPTER XII AELIAN, SOLINUS AND HORAPOLLO
CHAPTER XII AELIAN, SOLINUS AND HORAPOLLO
Aelian On the Nature of Animals —General character of the work—Its hodge-podge of unclassified detail—Solinus in the middle ages—His date—General character of his work; its relation to Pliny—Animals and gems—Occult medicine—Democritus and Zoroaster not regarded as magicians—Some bits of astrology—Alexander the Great—The Hieroglyphics of Horapollo—Marvels of animals—Animals and astrology—The cynocephalus—Horapollo the cosmopolitan. From mystic and theurgic compositions we return to works of the d
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CHAPTER XLVI
CHAPTER XLVI
KIRANIDES Question of the origin of the work—Its prefaces—Arrangement of the text—Virtues of a tree—Feats of magic—An incantation to an eagle—Alchiranus—Treatises on seven, twelve, and nineteen herbs—Belenus. The virtues, especially medicinal, of plants and animals comprise the contents of a work in Latin of uncertain date and authorship, usually called the Kiranides of Kiranus, King of Persia. [699] Thomas Browne, in his Pseudodoxia Epidemica or Inquiry into Vulgar Errors , included in his list
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CHAPTER XLVII
CHAPTER XLVII
PRESTER JOHN AND THE MARVELS OF INDIA Medieval notions of the marvels of India—India’s real contribution to knowledge—The legend of Prester John—Miracles of the Apostle Thomas—Otto of Freising on Prester John—Prester John’s letter to the Emperor Manuel—Marvels recounted by Prester John—Additional marvels in later versions—The letter of Pope Alexander III—Philip, the papal physician. In a twelfth century manuscript at Berlin a treatise on precious stones and their medicinal and other marvelous vi
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FOREWORD
FOREWORD
We now turn back chronologically to the point from which we started in our survey of classical science and magic in order to trace the development of Christian thought in regard to the same subjects. How far did Christianity break with ancient science and superstition? To what extent did it borrow from them? It has often been remarked that, as a new religion comes to prevail in a society, the old rites are discredited and prohibited as magic. The faith and ceremonies of the majority, performed p
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CHAPTER XLVIII
CHAPTER XLVIII
THE PSEUDO-ARISTOTLE Alexander and Aristotle—Spurious writings ascribed to Aristotle—Aristotle and experiment—Aristotle and alchemy: Meteorology and On colors —Works of alchemy ascribed to Aristotle—Aristotle and Alexander as alchemists—Aristotle and astrology—Astrology and magic in the Theology and De Pomo of Aristotle— Liber de causis proprietatum elementorum et planetarum —Other astrological treatises ascribed to Aristotle—Aristotle and 250 volumes of the Indians—Works on astrological images—
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CHAPTER XIII THE BOOK OF ENOCH
CHAPTER XIII THE BOOK OF ENOCH
Enoch’s reputation as an astrologer in the middle ages—Date and influence of the literature ascribed to Enoch—Angels governing the universe; stars and angels—The fallen angels teach men magic and other arts—The stars as sinners—Effect of sin upon nature—Celestial phenomena—Mountains and metals—Strange animals. In collections of medieval manuscripts there often is found a treatise on fifteen stars, fifteen herbs, fifteen stones, and fifteen figures engraved upon them, which is attributed sometime
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CHAPTER XIV PHILO JUDAEUS
CHAPTER XIV PHILO JUDAEUS
Bibliographical note—Philo the mediator between Hellenistic and Jewish-Christian thought—His influence upon the middle ages was indirect—Good and bad magic—Stars not gods nor first causes—But rational and virtuous animals, and God’s viceroys over inferiors—They do not cause evil; but it is possible to predict the future from their motions—Jewish astrology—Perfection of the number seven—And of fifty—Also of four and six—Spirits of the air—Interpretation of dreams—Politics are akin to magic—A thou
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CHAPTER XLIX
CHAPTER XLIX
SOLOMON AND THE ARS NOTORIA Solomon as a magician—Magic books ascribed to Solomon—Manuscripts of them—Notory art of Solomon and Apollonius—Other works ascribed to Solomon and Apollonius— Liber sacratus ; preface— Incipit and Explicit —A work of theurgy or the notory art—Character of its contents—The third “work”—The fourth and fifth “works”—How to operate with spirits—The seal of the living God—Spirits of Saturn. It was only natural that Solomon, regarded as the wisest man in the history of the
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CHAPTER XV THE GNOSTICS
CHAPTER XV THE GNOSTICS
Difficulty in defining Gnosticism—Magic and astrology in Gnosticism—Simon Magus as a Gnostic—Simon’s Helen—The number thirty and the moon—Ophites and Sethians—A magical diagram—Employment of names and formulae—Seven metals and planets—Magic of Simon’s followers—Magic of Marcus in the Eucharist—Other magic and occult lore of Marcus—Name and number magic—The magic vowels—Magic of Carpocrates—The Abraxas and the number 365—Astrology of Basilides— The Book of Helxai —Epiphanius on the Elchasaites— T
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CHAPTER L
CHAPTER L
ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL DREAM-BOOKS Oneirocritica of Artemidorus—Astrampsychos and Nicephorus—Achmet translated by Leo Tuscus—Byzantine and oriental divinations by Daniel—Latin Dream-Books of Daniel — Sompniale dilucidarium Pharaonis —An anonymous exposition of dreams—Physiological origin of dreams—Origin and justification of the art of interpretation—Sources of the present treatise—Demoniac and natural causes of dreams—Interpretation—William of Aragon on prognostication from dreams—Who was William
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CHAPTER XVI THE CHRISTIAN APOCRYPHA
CHAPTER XVI THE CHRISTIAN APOCRYPHA
Magic in the Bible—Apocryphal Gospels of the Infancy—Question of their date—Their medieval influence—Resemblances to Apuleius and Apollonius in the Arabic Gospel of the Infancy —Counteracting magic and demons—Other miracles and magic by the Christ child—Sometimes with injurious results—Further marvels from the Pseudo-Matthew —Learning of the Christ child—Other charges of magic against Christ and the apostles—The Magi and the star—Allegorical zoology of Barnabas—Traces of Gnosticism in the apocry
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FOREWORD
FOREWORD
In our preceding book on the twelfth century we included some writers, like Alexander Neckam, who lived on a few years into the following century but whose works were probably written in the twelfth. We now, with Michael Scot, begin to treat of authors whose period of literary productivity dates after 1200. We shall endeavor to consider the various authors and works in something like chronological order, but this is often difficult to determine and in one or two cases we shall purposely disregar
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CHAPTER LI
CHAPTER LI
MICHAEL SCOT Bibliographical note—Michael Scot and Frederick II—Some dates in Michael’s career—Michael Scot and the papacy—Prominent position in the world of learning—Relation to the introduction of the new Aristotle—Thirteenth century criticism of Michael Scot—General estimate of his learning—God and the stars—A theological digression—The three Magi—Astrology distinguished from magic—The magic arts—Experiments of magic—History of astronomy—The spirits in the sky, air, and earth—Occult medicine—
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CHAPTER XVII THE RECOGNITIONS OF CLEMENT AND SIMON MAGUS
CHAPTER XVII THE RECOGNITIONS OF CLEMENT AND SIMON MAGUS
The Pseudo-Clementines—Was Rufinus the sole medieval version?—Previous Greek versions—Date of the original version—Internal evidence—Resemblances to Apuleius and Philostratus—Science and religion—Interest in natural science—God and nature—Sin and nature—Attitude to astrology—Arguments against genethlialogy—The virtuous Seres—Theory of demons—Origin of magic—Frequent accusations of magic—Marvels of magic—How distinguish miracle from magic?—Deceit in magic—Murder of a boy—Magic is evil—Magic is an
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CHAPTER XVIII THE CONFESSION OF CYPRIAN AND SOME SIMILAR STORIES
CHAPTER XVIII THE CONFESSION OF CYPRIAN AND SOME SIMILAR STORIES
The Confession of Cyprian—His initiation into mysteries—His thorough study of nature, divination, and magic—The lore of Egypt—And of Chaldea—Cyprian’s practice of magic at Antioch—A Christian virgin defeats the magic of the demons—Summary of Cyprian’s picture of magic—Christians accused of magic—A story from Epiphanius—Joseph’s experience of miracle and magic—Legend of St. James and Hermogenes the magician—Other contests of apostles and magicians in The Golden Legend . To the accounts of the con
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CHAPTER LII
CHAPTER LII
WILLIAM OF AUVERGNE The man and his writings—His respect for science—And for experimentation—Influenced by Christian doctrine—Importance of his account of magic—Its main points summarized—Demons and magic—Magic and idolatry—Magic illusions—Natural magic—Is not concerned with demons—Some instances of natural magic—“The sense of nature”—Magic’s too extreme pretensions—Wax images—Factitious gods—Characters and figures—Power of words denied—Use of divine names—Christian magic—Magic of sex and genera
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CHAPTER XIX ORIGEN AND CELSUS
CHAPTER XIX ORIGEN AND CELSUS
Celsus’ charges of magic against Christianity—Hebrew magic as depicted by Celsus—Various recriminations of magic—Origen’s distinction between miracles and magic—Origen frees Jews as well as Christians from the charge of magic—Celsus’ sceptical description of magic—Celsus suggests a connection between magic and occult virtues in nature—Celsus on magicians and demons—Origen ascribes magic to demons—Magic is an elaborate art—The Magi of Scripture were not different from other magicians—Origen’s Bib
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CHAPTER LIII
CHAPTER LIII
THOMAS OF CANTIMPRÉ De natura rerum ; date, authorship, and relation to similar works—Life of Thomas—Character of the De natura rerum —Plan and contents—Chief authorities—Embodiment of long extracts—Other citations—Credulous attitude—Very uncritical character of the Bonum universale de apibus —A chapter on the lion—Different kinds of lions: their generation—Disposition and behavior—Fear inspired and felt by lions—Their diet, medicine, and mode of fighting—Medical virtues of the lion’s carcass—Me
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CHAPTER XX OTHER CHRISTIAN DISCUSSION OF MAGIC BEFORE AUGUSTINE
CHAPTER XX OTHER CHRISTIAN DISCUSSION OF MAGIC BEFORE AUGUSTINE
Plan of this chapter—Tertullian on magic—Astrology attacked—Resemblance to Minucius Felix—Lactantius—Hippolytus on magic and astrology—Frauds of magicians in answering questions—Other tricks and illusions—Defects and merits of Hippolytus’ exposure of magic and of magic itself—Hippolytus’ sources—Justin Martyr and others on the witch of Endor—Gregory of Nyssa and Eustathius concerning the ventriloquist—Gregory of Nyssa Against Fate —Astrology and the birth of Christ—Chrysostom on the star of the
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APPENDIX I
APPENDIX I
THE MANUSCRIPTS OF THE DE NATURA RERUM Of the half dozen or so MSS which I have examined Egerton 1984, 13th century, fols. 34-145, and Arundel 323, 13th century, fols. 1-98, present a different version from the others, arranged in a different order and somewhat more condensed, although sometimes inserting points omitted in the other MSS, as has already been illustrated in the text in the reproduction of the chapter on the lion. These two MSS open with what is usually the 16th book on the seven r
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CHAPTER XXI CHRISTIANITY AND NATURAL SCIENCE: BASIL, EPIPHANIUS, AND THE PHYSIOLOGUS
CHAPTER XXI CHRISTIANITY AND NATURAL SCIENCE: BASIL, EPIPHANIUS, AND THE PHYSIOLOGUS
Lactantius not a fair example—Commentaries on the Biblical account of creation—Date and delivery of Basil’s Hexaemeron —The Hexaemeron of Ambrose—Basil’s medieval influence—Science and religion—Scientific curiosity of Basil’s audience—Allusions to amusements—Conflicts with Greek science—Agreement with Greek science—Qualification of the Scriptural account of creation—The four elements and four qualities—Enthusiasm for nature as God’s work—Sin and nature—Habits of animals—Marvels of nature—Spontan
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APPENDIX II
APPENDIX II
SOME MANUSCRIPTS OF THE TREATISE OF THETEL ON SEALS For the Berlin MS I follow the catalogue description by V. Rose. I have examined personally the two Paris MSS and some of those at Oxford. Berlin 956, 12th century, fol. 22, what Rose calls the “very peculiar original text.” “Hic incipit liber sigillorum filiorum israel quem fecerunt in deserto. Cum pluribus libris nobilibus magne auctoritatis et nominis vigilante animo atque perspicaci, fratres karissimi, studeamus,” etc., which may be transla
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CHAPTER LIV
CHAPTER LIV
BARTHOLOMEW OF ENGLAND Bartholomew on the character of his book—Question of its date—Who are the most recent authors cited in it?—How far are its citations first-hand?—Its medieval currency—Not a mere compilation nor limited to Biblical topics—The nature of demons—Psychology and physiology—Vision and perspective—Medieval domestic science—The medieval domestic servant—Medieval boys—Medieval girls—A medieval dinner—Dreams and their interpretation—Medical advice—Poisons—The waters above the firmame
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CHAPTER XXII AUGUSTINE ON MAGIC AND ASTROLOGY
CHAPTER XXII AUGUSTINE ON MAGIC AND ASTROLOGY
Date and influence of Augustine—Christianity and magic—Censure of magic and theurgy as well as Goetia —Magic due to demons—Marvels wrought by magic—Cannot be equalled by most Christians—Miracles of heretics—Theory of demons—Limitations to the power of magic—Its fantastic character—Samuel and the witch of Endor—Natural marvels—Relation between magic and science—Superstitions akin to magic—Survival of pagan superstition among the laity—Augustine’s attack upon astrology—Fate and free will—Argument
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CHAPTER LV
CHAPTER LV
ROBERT GROSSETESTE Chief sources for Robert Grosseteste—Reasons for Roger Bacon’s eulogy—Grosseteste’s scholarly career—His writings: absence of magic—His scientific writings little affected by his ecclesiastical position—Reliance on experience—Theory of vision and science of perspective—Experimental discovery of lenses—Mentioned also in The Romance of the Rose —Theories formed by experimenters with lenses—Mathematical physics: the radiation of virtue—The Computus and calendar reform—Juggling wi
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CHAPTER XXIII THE FUSION OF PAGAN AND CHRISTIAN THOUGHT IN THE FOURTH AND FIFTH CENTURIES
CHAPTER XXIII THE FUSION OF PAGAN AND CHRISTIAN THOUGHT IN THE FOURTH AND FIFTH CENTURIES
Need of qualifying the patristic attitude—Plan of this chapter—Julius Firmicus Maternus—Date of the Mathesis —Are the attitudes in Firmicus’ two works incompatible?— De errore is not unfavorable to astrology—Attitude of both works to the emperors—Religious attitude of the Mathesis —An astrologer’s prayer—Christian objections to astrology met—Astrology proved experimentally—Information to be gained from the third and fourth books—Religion and magic; exorcists—Divination—Magic as a branch of learn
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CHAPTER XXIV THE STORY OF NECTANEBUS OR THE ALEXANDER LEGEND IN THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES[2293]
CHAPTER XXIV THE STORY OF NECTANEBUS OR THE ALEXANDER LEGEND IN THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES[2293]
The Pseudo-Callisthenes —Its unhistoric character—Julius Valerius—Oriental versions—Medieval epitomes of Julius Valerius—Letters of Alexander—Leo’s Historia de praeliis —Medieval metamorphosis of ancient tradition—Survival of magical and scientific features—Who was Nectanebus?—A scientific key-note—Magic of Nectanebus—Nectanebus as an astrologer—A magic dream—Lucian on Olympias and the serpent—More dream-sending; magic transformation—An omen interpreted—The birth of Alexander—The death of Nectan
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APPENDIX I
APPENDIX I
THE PERSPECTIVE OR OPTICS OF WITELO In the work on the science of Perspective or Optics, which was composed later in the thirteenth century by Witelo [1496] who calls himself a son of Thuringians and Poles, [1497] we meet again with much the same attitude as that shown in the corresponding works of Grosseteste. The experimental character of the subject is repeatedly emphasized; [1498] we hear much of experimenting with instruments; [1499] and such words as “experimenter” and “experimentation” ar
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CHAPTER XXV POST-CLASSICAL MEDICINE
CHAPTER XXV POST-CLASSICAL MEDICINE
Three representatives of post-classical medicine—Bibliographical note—Medical compendiums: Oribasius and Paul of Aegina—Aëtius of Amida—How superstitious are Aëtius and Alexander of Tralles?—Compound medicines—Aëtius merely reproduces the superstition of Galen—Occult science mixed with some scepticism—Alexander of Tralles—Originality of his work—His medieval influence—His personal experience—Extent of his superstition— Physica —Occult virtue of substances applied externally—Other things used as
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CHAPTER LVI
CHAPTER LVI
VINCENT OF BEAUVAIS The Speculum Maius —Events of his life—Was the Speculum naturale finished in 1250?—Order of the three Mirrors—Chronological relation to Albert and Aquinas—General character of the Speculum naturale —Vincent’s method of compilation—Use of Pliny and Aristotle—More recent authorities—Credulity concerning the barnacle birds—A sign of his scientific inferiority—Demons, magic, and superstition—Divination from dreams—The stars—Their influence—Virtues of gems—A chapter on the jasper—
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CHAPTER XXVI PSEUDO-LITERATURE IN NATURAL SCIENCE OF THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES
CHAPTER XXVI PSEUDO-LITERATURE IN NATURAL SCIENCE OF THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES
General character— Medicine of Pliny — Herbarium of Apuleius —Specimens of its occult science—A “Precantation of all herbs”—Other treatises accompanying the Herbarium — Cosmography of Aethicus —Its medieval influence—Character of the work—Its attitude to marvels—The Geoponica —Magic and astrology therein—Dioscorides—Textual history of the De materia medica —Alterations made in the Greek text—Dioscorides little known to Latins before the middle ages—Partial versions in Latin— De herbis femininis
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CHAPTER LVII
CHAPTER LVII
EARLY THIRTEENTH CENTURY MEDICINE: GILBERT OF ENGLAND AND WILLIAM OF ENGLAND Representatives of thirteenth century medicine—Question of Gilbert’s date—Works ascribed to Gilbert—The Compendium medicinae —General character of his medicine—An estimate of it by a modern physician—Picturesque compounds— Empirica and an old wife’s remedy—Use of red for small-pox; occult virtue—Magical treatment of epilepsy—Poisons and snake-oil—Eye cures—Influence of the stars—The soul, number, and geometry; physiogno
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CHAPTER XXVII OTHER EARLY MEDIEVAL LEARNING: BOETHIUS, ISIDORE, BEDE, GREGORY THE GREAT
CHAPTER XXVII OTHER EARLY MEDIEVAL LEARNING: BOETHIUS, ISIDORE, BEDE, GREGORY THE GREAT
Aridity of early medieval learning—Historic importance of The Consolation of Philosophy —Medieval reading—Influence of the works of Boethius—His relation to antiquity and middle ages—Attitude to the stars—Fate and free will—Music of the stars and universe—Isidore of Seville—Method of the Etymologies —Its sources—Natural marvels—Isidore is rather less hospitable to superstition than Pliny—Portent—Words and numbers—History of magic—Definition of magic—Future influence of Isidore’s account of magic
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CHAPTER LVIII
CHAPTER LVIII
PETRUS HISPANUS Nationality: at Paris—Medical works and later life—Death and character—The Thesaurus pauperum —Is it interpolated?—Its essential character is fairly represented even by the printed version—Devout tone of its preface—Arrangement of the text—Emphasis on occult virtue—Authority and experiment—Some of Peter’s authorities—Parts of animals; suspensions—Remedies for toothache—Prescriptions for epilepsy—Against sorcerers and demons— De morbis oculorum — Summa de conservanda sanitate —A m
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APPENDIX I
APPENDIX I
SOME MANUSCRIPTS OF THE THESAURUS PAUPERUM I have examined the following MSS of the work in the collections in the British Museum. As usual, the dating of the MSS is not my own, but either that given in the catalogues of the collections or in the MSS themselves. Sloane 282, quarto, 15th century, fols. 87-105, Petri Hispani, postea Johannis Papae XXI, Thesaurus pauperum. Sloane 284, 15th century, fols. 129-174. “Incipit liber qui thesaurus pauperum nominatur compositus a magistro P. Hispano Papa
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CHAPTER XXVIII ARABIC OCCULT SCIENCE OF THE NINTH CENTURY
CHAPTER XXVIII ARABIC OCCULT SCIENCE OF THE NINTH CENTURY
Plan of the chapter—Works of Alkindi— On Stellar Rays , or The Theory of the Magic Art —Radiation of occult force from the stars—Magic power of words—Problem of prayer—Figures, characters, and sacrifice—Experiment and magic—Alkindi’s medieval influence—Divination by visions and dreams—Weather prediction—Alkindi as an astrologer—Alkindi on conjunctions—Alkindi and alchemy—Astrological works of Albumasar—The Experiments of Albumasar— Albumasar in Sadan — Book of Rains —Costa ben Luca’s translation
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CHAPTER LIX
CHAPTER LIX
ALBERTUS MAGNUS His own writings—His life—His relations to natural science. Albert the leading figure in thirteenth century learning—Albert and Aquinas—Dates of birth and death—Early life—Probable early date of some of his works—Events of his life after 1250—At Cologne—Contemporary estimates of Albert. The scope of his scientific treatises—Can a gradual intellectual development be traced in his works?—His best works are those on natural science—His fame in the early nineteenth century—A survival
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CHAPTER XXIX LATIN ASTROLOGY AND DIVINATION: ESPECIALLY IN THE NINTH, TENTH, AND ELEVENTH CENTURIES
CHAPTER XXIX LATIN ASTROLOGY AND DIVINATION: ESPECIALLY IN THE NINTH, TENTH, AND ELEVENTH CENTURIES
Astrology in Gaul before the twelfth century—Figures of astrological medicine—The divine quaternities of Raoul Glaber—Celestial portents and other marvels—An eleventh century calendar—Astrology and divination in ecclesiastical compoti —Notker on the mystic date of Easter—Prediction from the Kalends of January—Other divination by the day of the week—Divination by the day of the moon—Authorship of moon-books—Spheres of life and death: in Greek—Medieval Latin versions—Survival of such methods in me
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CHAPTER LX
CHAPTER LX
THOMAS AQUINAS Bibliographical note—Precociousness of Aquinas—Early life according to Thomas of Cantimpré—Is Thomas of Cantimpré reliable?—Ptolemy of Lucca on Aquinas’ early life—Date and place of his studies with Albert—His closing years—His success as a theologian—His commentaries on Aristotle—The spheres of theology and science—Aquinas as a scientist—Inferior to Albert—His theological approach to the subject of magic—Miracle distinguished—Reality of magic affirmed—Magic not a science but due
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APPENDIX I SOME MANUSCRIPTS OF THE SPHERE OF PYTHAGORAS OR APULEIUS
APPENDIX I SOME MANUSCRIPTS OF THE SPHERE OF PYTHAGORAS OR APULEIUS
Besides the copies noted by Wickersheimer (1913) in French manuscripts from the ninth to the eleventh centuries, such as Laon 407, Orléans 276, and BN nouv. acq. 1616, where in fact it occurs twice: at fol. 7v, “Ratio spere phytagor philosophi quem epulegus descripsit,” and at fol. 14r, “Ratio pitagere de infirmis,”—the following may be listed. BN 5239, 10th century, # 12. Harleian 3017, 10th century, fol. 58r, “Ratio spherae Pythagorae philosophi quam Apuleius descripsit.” Cotton Tiberius C, VI
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APPENDIX II EGYPTIAN DAYS IN EARLY MEDIEVAL MANUSCRIPTS
APPENDIX II EGYPTIAN DAYS IN EARLY MEDIEVAL MANUSCRIPTS
The following citations could probably be greatly multiplied. BN nouv. acq. 1616, 9th century, fol. 12r. Digby 63, end of 9th century, Anglo-Saxon minuscule, fol. 36, “Dies Egiptiachi.” Berlin 131 (Phillips 1869, Trier), 9th century, fol. 12r. Lucca 236, about 900 A. D., on its last 3 leaves are Egyptian days and a dream-book; described by Giacosa (1901), p. 349. Harleian 3017, 10th century, fol. 59r, De diebus Egiptiacis qui mali sunt in anno circulo. The catalogue dates this MS as 920 A. D. bu
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CHAPTER LXI
CHAPTER LXI
ROGER BACON Bibliographical note—Our method of considering him. Birth, family, and early life—The years before 1267—Bacon and the mariner’s compass—The papal mandate—The composition of the three works—The injunction of secrecy—Roger Bacon and the Franciscans—Bacon’s life after 1267—His reported condemnation—Franciscans and science: John Peckham—Was Bacon still writing in 1292? Aims and plan of the Opus Maius —Bacon’s theological standpoint—His scholastic side—Attitude to Aristotle and other auth
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APPENDIX I
APPENDIX I
THE STUDY OF ROGER BACON In addition to criticizing and refuting the over-estimate of Roger Bacon which has been prevalent in modern times, it may be well to indicate when and how this exaggerated estimate of his importance and uniqueness originated, and also to trace the gradual growth of a more critical attitude towards him in still more recent years. The investigations of Mr. A. G. Little and several other contributors to the Roger Bacon Essays of 1914 have demonstrated that his writings were
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CHAPTER XXX GERBERT AND THE INTRODUCTION OF ARABIC ASTROLOGY
CHAPTER XXX GERBERT AND THE INTRODUCTION OF ARABIC ASTROLOGY
Arabic influence in early manuscripts—A preface and twenty-one chapters on the astrolabe—Are they parts of one work?—Their relation to Gerbert and the Arabic—Hermann’s De mensura astrolabii —Attitude towards astrology in the preface—Question of Gerbert’s attitude towards astrology—His posthumous reputation as a magician—An anonymous astronomical treatise; its possible relation to Gerbert—Contents of its first two books—Attitude towards astrology—The fourth book—Citations: Arabic names— Mathemati
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CHAPTER XXXI ANGLO-SAXON, SALERNITAN, AND OTHER LATIN MEDICINE IN MANUSCRIPTS FROM THE NINTH TO THE TWELFTH CENTURY
CHAPTER XXXI ANGLO-SAXON, SALERNITAN, AND OTHER LATIN MEDICINE IN MANUSCRIPTS FROM THE NINTH TO THE TWELFTH CENTURY
Plan of this chapter—Instances of early medieval additions to ancient medicine— Leech-Book of Bald and Cild —Magical procedure and incantations—A superstitious compound—Summary—Cauterization—Treatment of demoniacs—Incantations and characters—In a twelfth century manuscript—Magic with a split hazel rod—More incantations and the virtues of a vulture— Lots of the saints —Superstitious veterinary and medical practice—Two Paris manuscripts—Blood-letting—Resemblances to Egerton 821—Virtues of blood—Pi
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APPENDIX II
APPENDIX II
ROGER BACON AND GUNPOWDER In his paper “Roger Bacon and Gunpowder” contributed to the Roger Bacon Commemoration Essays , Colonel Hime tries to prove Roger Bacon the inventor of gunpowder by the method employed to prove Francis Bacon the author of Shakespeare’s plays—a cipher. Since other contributors to the same volume refer favorably to this effort (Mr. A. G. Little, p. 395, calls it an “ingenious explanation” and Mr. Patterson Muir, p. 301, says that “Colonel Hime establishes a large probabili
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CHAPTER XXXII CONSTANTINUS AFRICANUS: C. 1015-1087.
CHAPTER XXXII CONSTANTINUS AFRICANUS: C. 1015-1087.
Reputation and influence—His studies in the Orient—His later life in Italy—His works were mainly translations— Pantegni — Viaticum —Other translations— The book of degrees — On melancholy — On disorders of the stomach —Medical works ascribed to Alfanus—Constantinus and experiment—“Experiments” involving incantations—Superstition comparatively rare in Constantinus—And of Greek rather than Arabic origin—Some signs of astrology and alchemy—Constantinus and the School of Salerno— Liber aureus and Jo
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CHAPTER LXII
CHAPTER LXII
THE SPECULUM ASTRONOMIAE Who was its author?—Points in favor of Albert as its author—Testimony of medieval manuscripts and authors—Occasion for writing the Speculum —Defense of astronomy—And of judicial astrology—The stars do not possess senses or reason—Subdivisions of astrology—Evil images—A second variety—Good astronomical images—The question of free will—And elections—Free will and nativities—Revolutions—Interrogations—Better not to destroy the books of necromancy—Experimental books in the a
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CHAPTER XXXIII TREATISES ON THE ARTS BEFORE THE INTRODUCTION OF ARABIC ALCHEMY
CHAPTER XXXIII TREATISES ON THE ARTS BEFORE THE INTRODUCTION OF ARABIC ALCHEMY
Latin treatises on the arts and colors—Progress of the arts even during the early middle ages—Scantiness of the sources—Character of Arabic alchemy—Different character of our Latin treatises— Compositiones ad tingenda — Mappe Clavicula —Some of its recipes—Question of symbolic nomenclature—Magical procedure with goats: in Mappe Clavicula —Similar passages in Heraclius—And Theophilus—A magic figure—Use of an incantation in tenth century alchemy—Experimental character of the work of Theophilus—How
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APPENDIX I
APPENDIX I
MANUSCRIPTS OF THE SPECULUM ASTRONOMIAE The descriptions of the first group of MSS in the Amplonian collection at Erfurt are drawn from Schum’s Verzeichniss . Amplon. Quarto 189, on the verge of the 13th-14th centuries, following fols. 40-67 Alberti Magni liber de mineralibus et lapidibus, fols. 67-8 Notae de coloribus (fortasse Alberti Magni tribuendae), and fol. 68 Notae variae, come in a new hand at fols. 68-70 De imaginibus astronomicis, and fol. 70 Notae ex capitulis speculi Alberti quibus
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APPENDIX II
APPENDIX II
GERMATH OF BABYLON, GERGIS, AND GIRGITH Germa or Grema or Germath of Babylon is a name to which I believe I have met only one other reference, namely, in Ceceo d’Ascoli’s Commentary on the De principiis of Alchabitius (ed. Boffito, p. 19), where for the assertion that the stone anthrax keeps emitting water and so also has to attract water to supply the loss are cited “Evax rex arabum et Zot grecus et Germa babilonensis.” In another chapter of the Speculum in listing licit works of “astronomy” th
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CHAPTER XXXIV MARBOD, BISHOP OF RENNES, 1035—1123
CHAPTER XXXIV MARBOD, BISHOP OF RENNES, 1035—1123
Career of Marbod—Relation of his Liber lapidum to the prose Evax —Problem of Marbod’s sources—Influence of the Liber lapidum —Occult virtue of gems— Liber lapidum meant seriously— De fato et genesi . Of medieval Latin Lapidaries the earliest and what also seems to have been the classic on the subject of the marvelous properties of stones is the Liber lapidum seu de gemmis by Marbod, bishop of Rennes, [3063] who lived from 1035 to 1123 and so had very likely completed this work before the close o
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CHAPTER LXIII
CHAPTER LXIII
THREE TREATISES ASCRIBED TO ALBERTUS MAGNUS BUT USUALLY CONSIDERED SPURIOUS: EXPERIMENTA ALBERTI, DE MIRABILIBUS MUNDI, DE SECRETIS MULIERUM The three treatises—Are the two treatises on magic by Albert?—Manuscripts of the Experiments —Manuscripts of the Marvels —Evidence of a fourteenth century bibliography—Opinions of modern writers—Meyer’s argument against the authenticity of the Experiments —Difficulty of the question—Introduction of the Experiments —Virtues of herbs, stones, and animals—The
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APPENDIX I
APPENDIX I
MANUSCRIPTS OF THE EXPERIMENTS OR SECRETS Sloane 342, 13th century, fols. 130-131, Experimenta fratris Alberti de ordine Praedicatorum. Text incomplete. Sloane 3281, end of 13-14th century, fols. 17r-21v. Expliciunt secreta fratris Alberti coloniensis de ordine fratrum predicatorum. Additional 32622, early 14th century, fols. 84v-95r, Experimenta Alberti. Arundel 251, 14th century, fols. 25r-35v, Expliciunt experimenta Alberti magni. This Explicit, written in enormous letters, is misplaced, as t
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APPENDIX II
APPENDIX II
MANUSCRIPTS OF THE DE SECRETIS MULIERUM Amplon. Quarto 15, early 13th and beginning and middle of 14th century, partly from Italy, partly from Münster, and partly from Erfurt, fols. 72-83, Libellus Alberti de secretis mulierum, “Dilectissimo in Christo socio et amico R. de tali loco B. talis loci rector. Cum vestra favorabilitas....” Amplon. Quarto 234, first half 14th century, fols. 41-53, Libellus domini Alberti de secretis mulierum, “Dilecto sibi socio et amico G. de tali loco clerico camerar
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CHAPTER LXIV
CHAPTER LXIV
EXPERIMENTS AND SECRETS OF GALEN, RASIS, AND OTHERS: Books of “Experiments” or “Secrets”—Rasis on pains in the joints— Medical Experiments of Galen or Rasis—Value of such medical experiments—Experimenters of many lands and cities—Who was the Latin translator?— The Secrets of Galen —Addressed to “friend Monteus”—Was he William of Saliceto’s “friend Montheus”?—Patients and prescriptions— Liber medicinalis de secretis Galieni —Rasis On sixty animals —Eberus On the virtues of animals —Galen and Hone
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APPENDIX I
APPENDIX I
THE MANUSCRIPTS OF THE MEDICAL EXPERIMENTS The Medical Experimentation is printed in the 1481 edition of Rasis but not in that of 1497. It also is found in old editions of Galen, such as that of Venice, 1609, VIII, Spurii libri, fols. 108v-113v; and that of Renatus Charterius, Paris, 1679, X, 561-70. It occurs frequently in the MSS. In the following list I have endeavored to indicate the other treatises accompanying it, since they are perhaps all sections of one work. I note first those MSS whic
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APPENDIX II
APPENDIX II
THE MANUSCRIPTS OF THE SECRETS OF GALEN I have examined the first two MSS in the list and derive the others from the descriptions in MSS catalogues. In the two which I have seen the mentions of Gerard are confined to the rubrics. BN 7046, 13th century, fols. 48r-54v, Incipiunt secreta Galieni translata ab ysaac in omnibus egritudinibus. It follows the Flores of Avicenna and is followed by his Summa Antidotarii and by various works of Rasis including the De juncturis and Experimenta above mention
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CHAPTER LXV
CHAPTER LXV
EXPERIMENTS AND SECRETS OF GALEN, RASIS, AND OTHERS The Liber Vaccae —Its other titles—Its two prologues—Experiments in magic generation and rain-making—More magic with animals—Other marvelous experiments—Plato as an alchemist—Galen as an alchemist— Eighty-eight Natural Experiments of Rasis— Liber ignium of Marcus Grecus—Further experiments— Secretum philosophorum —Experiments connected with writing—Riddles: a trick with a knife—Deceiving the senses—Tricks of jugglers—Mathematical problems—Astro
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APPENDIX I
APPENDIX I
MANUSCRIPTS OF THE LIBER VACCAE The three first MSS in the list are those which I have used. Steinschneider (1906), p. 43, listed four MSS: Digby 71, Corpus Christi 125 and 132, and Montpellier 277. The three which I examined were wretchedly written and full of abbreviations. Arundel 342, 14th century, Italian hand, fols. 46r-54v. The Titulus is “Incipit liber institutionum activorum ( sic ) Platonis in quo Humayn filius Zacarie sic loquitur dicens.” The Incipit is “Galienus cum praeparavit ut a
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APPENDIX II
APPENDIX II
MANUSCRIPTS OF THE SECRETUM PHILOSOPHORUM Of the following MSS I have chiefly used Additional 32622, Digby 37, and Digby 153. CU Trinity 1214, good hand of late 12th century, fols. 71-82, is perhaps an earlier precursor of our treatise, judging from the following headings given by James: “De aque ductibus, de puteis fodiendis, de probatione aque ... de fistulis organicis ... de calce ... de fabrica ville rustice disponenda, de balneis ... de coloribus ... de norme institutione, de horologii inst
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CHAPTER LXVI
CHAPTER LXVI
PICATRIX Problem of date and authorship—Law of Alfonso the Wise concerning magic and astrology—Picatrix a confused compilation—Its mentions of magic—Magic and science—Its use of natural virtues—Magic compounds—Things required of the magician—Magic procedure—Invocation of spirits—Necromancy and astrology—Astronomical images—Aims and results of magic—Appendix I. Manuscripts of Picatrix . “Scientia ... semper acquirit et numquam diminuit; semper elevat et numquam degenerat; semper apparet et numqua
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APPENDIX I
APPENDIX I
MANUSCRIPTS OF PICATRIX I have chiefly used Magliabech. XX, 20 and XX, 21, two MSS now preserved at the National Library at Florence and originally written at Rome in 1536, as an identical colophon in either MS states. Otherwise, however, their contents are often not identical although roughly corresponding. I have also examined Sloane 1305 and found it in general similar to the other two. Vienna 3317, 15th century, 114 fols., Picatrix, De magia, “Ad laudem et gloriam altissimi ... / ... fel leo
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CHAPTER LXVII
CHAPTER LXVII
GUIDO BONATTI AND BARTHOLOMEW OF PARMA: AN ASTROLOGER AND A GEOMANCER Guido Bonatti and Dante—The Liber astronomicus of Guido Bonatti—Career of Bonatti—Arrangement of the Liber astronomicus —Astronomy and astrology—Truth of astrology—Theological opposition—Bonatti’s defiant rejoinder—Astrological predictions for Christians and the clergy—Instances of Bonatti’s detailed treatment—The planet Jupiter—An astrological image—The Geomancy of Bartholomew of Parma—How to proceed in geomancy—Questions ans
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APPENDIX I
APPENDIX I
SOME MANUSCRIPTS OF THE LIBER ASTRONOMICUS OF GUIDO BONATTI Boncompagni states that there are several MSS in the Bibliothèque Nationale at Paris and the following are noted in the old catalogue: of the 14th century, BN 7326 and 7327: of the 15th century BN 7328, 7329 (a fragment), 7441 (defective), 7442 (containing only the treatises on elections and revolutions), 7443 (only the treatise De imbribus et aeris mutationibus ). Perhaps the following also has reference to Bonatti: BN 7316, 15th centu
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CHAPTER LXVIII
CHAPTER LXVIII
ARNALD OF VILLANOVA Recent research into his life—His twofold importance—Narrative of his life—In theological difficulties—Events of 1305—The close of his life—Arnald and the Inquisition—His works—Attitude to natural science—Magic excluded from medicine— Disapprobation of Sorcerers —The devices of sorcerers—Counter-magic against them—Arnald’s works and the Inquisition again—Incantations—Cures of old-wives—Ligatures and suspensions—Marvelous virtues in nature—Occult virtue defined—Due to the star
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CHAPTER LXIX
CHAPTER LXIX
RAYMOND LULL Life and works—Orthodoxy questioned—His natural science not unusual—His Art Universal—Circular figures employed in theology—Figure of a tree used in medicine—Lull and alchemy—His attitude to astrology—To the condemnation of 1277 at Paris—His book on medicine and astrology—An uncomplimentary allusion to thirteenth century medicine—Necromancy and divine names. Ramon Lull or Raimond Lulle or Raymund Lull or Raymond Lully, to mention some of the forms of his name which have prevailed in
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CHAPTER LXX
CHAPTER LXX
PETER OF ABANO Plan of this chapter—Birth and family—Travels abroad—At Paris—His Latin version of Abraham Aben Ezra—Conversation with Marco Polo—Translations from the Greek—Did he teach at Bologna?—Return to Padua—Three works of astronomy and astrology—Publications in the year 1310—Undated and spurious works—Closing years of his life—Relations with the church—Great reputation—Not a miracle in a rude age—But completed the work of his period—No mere compiler—The Conciliator his masterpiece—Its met
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APPENDIX I
APPENDIX I
PREVIOUS ACCOUNTS OF PETER OF ABANO As is usually the case with past authors and scholars, Peter of Abano’s own works [2865] are the best source concerning the events of his life as well as his learning and superstition. Another important document is his will, published by Verci, whose History of the Trevisan Mark includes some other documents bearing upon Peter’s career. [2866] Other contemporary source-material connected with Peter or members of his family has been noted by Gloria in his colle
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APPENDIX II
APPENDIX II
A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF PETER OF ABANO’S WRITINGS The following order will be observed in this list of Peter’s works. First those to which an exact or probable date can be assigned will be taken up in chronological order. Next will be listed those which are undated but undoubtedly genuine. Last will be mentioned those of dubious or spurious authorship. As Peter’s translations of the astrological treatises of Abraham Aben Ezra are closely connected with those of Henry Bate, and as Abraham and Bate are
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APPENDIX III
APPENDIX III
PETER OF ABANO, ABRAHAM ABEN EZRA, AND HENRY BATE The French translation from the Hebrew of astrological treatises by Abraham Aben Ezra is preserved in BN, fonds de Sorbonne, 1825. I have not seen the MS but infer from the description in HL XXI, 500-3 that it includes only five of Abraham’s treatises, The Beginning of Wisdom, Nativities, Revolutions, Elections, and Interrogations. At the close of The Beginning of Wisdom we are told that it was written down by Obers de Montdidier from the dictati
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APPENDIX IV
APPENDIX IV
WAS PETER CALLED TO TREVISO IN 1314? It was stated by Bonifazio in his History of Treviso , [2904] and repeated by Mazzuchelli [2905] and Tiraboschi, [2906] that on August 7, 1314, the Trevisans, wishing to establish a university, brought Peter to their city, where he taught and practiced medicine for a year. Colle [2907] agreed that he received a call but doubted if he accepted it because his will, drawn up in 1315, makes it appear that he is still in the employ of Padua. But it is not quite ce
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APPENDIX V
APPENDIX V
PETER’S SALARY AT PADUA The amount of salary offered at Treviso was worth mentioning because the statement has been made over and over again that Peter in his will of 1315 bequeathed to the town government of Padua fifteen hundred lire or pounds that were due him for his past three months’ salary. From this it was inferred that his annual stipend was either six thousand pounds, or four thousand if reckoned on the basis of an academic year of eight months. This seemed to show that he was the high
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APPENDIX VI
APPENDIX VI
WHEN DID PETER DIE? The date of Peter’s death may be placed between May 25, 1315, when he made his will, and November 19, 1318, when the record of a legal transaction in which his sons were concerned appears to speak of him as dead. [2913] It has usually been assumed that he died in 1315 or 1316 and these dates are given in epitaphs, [2914] which, however, were composed long afterwards and cannot be accepted as sure proof. Peter’s making his will has been taken as a sign that he was at death’s d
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APPENDIX VII
APPENDIX VII
WAS THE DE VENENIS ADDRESSED TO POPE JOHN XXII (1316-1334)? In some nine printed editions which I have examined the pope addressed is denoted simply by the letter “N”; and most of the MSS do not specify the pope by name, or if they do, it is not so stated in the catalogues. Giacosa [2918] says that the treatise is dedicated in some MSS to Pope Honorius IV, but he does not specify them, and I do not know of any such. Where the pope is named, he is either John without enumeration, [2919] or John X
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APPENDIX VIII
APPENDIX VIII
PETER AND THE INQUISITION The relations of Peter of Abano with the church and the Inquisition and the question whether he was accused, tried, or condemned for heresy, magic, or astrology, are matters which have seldom been either carefully investigated or correctly stated, although allusions are often made to these points as if they were definitely settled. We shall inquire here what real evidence there is. In the Conciliator , written in 1303, occurs a germane statement by Peter himself at the
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CHAPTER LXXI
CHAPTER LXXI
CECCO D’ASCOLI Reasons for his celebrity—An astrologer burned by the Inquisition—Works by Cecco to be considered here—Other sources—The sentence by the Inquisition—Villani’s account—The later manuscripts—Astrology for cities—The fate of individuals—Influence of stars and signs—How mind and soul are affected—The stars and dreams—Astrological images—Did Cecco deny human free will?—Founders of new religions said to be born of incubi and succubi at astrological periods—Birth of Christ and darkness d
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CHAPTER LXXII
CHAPTER LXXII
CONCLUSION The end of our period—Science not stagnant during it—Nor a mere handmaid of religion—The belief in occult virtue—Dominance of astrology—Definition of magic—Difficulty of reducing magic to one principle—Human fondness for the fallacious—Utility is not magic’s strongest appeal—The spirit of magic is not the scientific spirit—Magic and experimental science—Science is a gradual evolution, not a modern creation—Its medieval stage of development—Does magic survive in modern learning?—Or in
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