Table of Contents
PART I: EARLY MIDDLE AGES
The Latin Encyclopedists
1. On the Quadrivium, or Four Mathematical Sciences
Isidore of Seville
2. On Arithmetic
Boethius
3. On the Universe and Its Parts
Isidore of Seville
4. On the Order of the Planets
Macrobius
5. On the Motion of Mercury and Venus Around the Sun
a. Chalcidius
b. Martianus Capella
6. On Ocean and Tides
Macrobius
PART II: LATER MIDDLE AGES
The Translation of Greek and Arabic Science into Latin
7. A List of Translations Made from Arabic into Latin in the Twelfth Century
Gerard of Cremona
8. A List of Translations Made from Greek into Latin in the Thirteenth Century
William of Moerbeke
The Reaction of the Universities and Theological Authorities to Aristotelian Science and Natural Philosophy
9. The Condemnation of Aristotle's Books on Natural Philosophy in 1210 at Paris
10. The Command to Expurgate Aristotle's Books on Natural Philosophy (1231)
11. The Natural Books of Aristotle in the Arts Curriculum at the University of Paris in 1255
12. Statute of the Faculty of Arts Drastically Curtailing the Discussion of Theological Questions (1272)
13. The Condemnation of 1277: A Selection of Articles Relevant to the History of Medieval Science
14. An Objection to Theological Restrictions in the Discussion of a Scientific Question
John Buridan
15. An Assessment of Buridan's Objections
Ludovicus (Luis) Coronel
Classification of the Sciences
Introduction
Edward Grant
16. Classification of the Sciences
Hugh of St. Victor
17. Classification of the Sciences
Domingo Gundisalvo
Logic
Introduction
John E. Murdoch
18. On Terms, "Suppositio," and Consequences
William of Ockham
Mathematics
19. On the Importance of Studying Mathematics
Roger Bacon
A. ARITHMETIC
20. Arabic Numerals and Arithmetic Operations in the Most Popular Algorism of the Middle Ages
John of Sacrobosco
21. Propositions from a Theoretical Arithmetic
Jordanus of Nemore
B. ALGEBRA
22. Six Types of Rhetorical Algebraic Equations
Al-Khwarizmi
23. Algebraic Propositions from the Treatise On Given Numbers
Jordanus of Nemore
C. NUMBER THEORY, PROBABILITY, AND INFINITE SERIES
24. Number Theory and Indeterminate Analysis
Leonardo of Pisa (Fibonacci)
25. A Proposition on Mathematical Probability
Nicole Oresme
26. Infinite Series
Nicole Oresme
D. PROPORTIONS
27. The Definitions of Book V of Euclid's Elements in a Thirteenth-Century Version, and Commentary
Campanus of Novara
28. An Algorism of Ratios: Manipulation of Rational Exponents
Nicole Oresme
29. Rational and Irrational Exponents Distinguished
Nicole Oresme
E. GEOMETRY
30. On the Division of Figures
Leonardo of Pisa (Fibonacci)
3l. Two Medieval Versions of Archimedes' Quadrature of the Circle
a. The Abbreviated Version of Pseudo-Bradwardine
b. The Question of Albert of Saxony on the Quadrature of the Circle
32. The Trisection of an Angle
a. Banu Musa
b. Jordanus of Nemore
33. Constructions from an Applied Geometry
Dominicus de Clavasio
F. TRIGONOMETRY
34. Trigonometry of the Sine
Richard of Wallingford
Typical Scientific Questions Based on Aristotle's Major Physical Treatises
Introduction
Edward Grant
35. Questions on the Eight Books of Aristotle's Physics
Albert of Saxony
36. Questions on the Four Books of Aristotle's On the Heavens (De caelo)
John Buridan
37. Questions on the Two Books of Aristotle's On Generation and Corruption
Albert of Saxony
38. Questions on The Four Books of Aristotle's Meteorologica
Themon, Son of the Jew
Physics
A. STATICS, OR "THE SCIENCE OF WEIGHTS"
Introduction
Edward Grant
39. On the Theory of Weight
Jordanus of Nemore
B. MOTION
40. What is Motion?
William of Ockham
C. KINEMATICS
41. The Reduction of Curvilinear Velocities to Uniform Rectilinear Velocities
Gerard of Brussels
42. Uniform and Nonuniform Motion and the Merton College Mean Speed Theorem
William of Heytesbury
43. The Configuration of Qualities and Motions, Including a Geometric Proof of the Mean Speed Theorem
Nicole Oresme
D. DYNAMICS
44. Does Finite and Temporal Motion Require a Resistant Medium? The Responses of Averroes and Avempace in Comment 71
a. The Text of Aristotle
b. Averroes' Expositio on the Text
45. The Mover or Cause in Natural Motion
Averroes
46. The Medieval Aristotelian Principle of Motion: "Whatever Is Moved Is Moved by Another"
St. Thomas Aquinas
47. External and Internal Resistances to Motion
Albert of Saxony
48. The Impetus Theory of Projectile Motion
John Buridan
49. On the Cause of Acceleration of Free-falling Bodies
John Buridan
50. In Opposition to Aristotle: Contrary Motions Can Be Continuous without an Intervening Moment of Rest
a. Marsilius of Inghen
b. Galileo Galilei
51. Mathematical Representations of Motion
a. Thomas Bradwardine: "Bradwardine's Function" and the Repudiation of Four Opposition Theories on Proportions of Motion
b. Nicole Oresme: Extended Application of "Bradwardine's Function"
E. ATOMISM
52. The Development and Criticism of Atomism in the Later Middle Ages
a. Thomas Bradwardine
b. Algazel
c. John Duns Scotus
d. Henry of Harclay and William of Alnwick
F. ON VACUUM
53. Nature Abhors a Vacuum
a. Albert of Saxony: A Natural Vacuum Denied
b. John Buridan: Experiments Demonstrating that Nature Abhors a Vacuum
c. Marsilius of Inghen: Experiments Demonstrating that Nature Abhors a Vacuum
d. Galileo Galilei: Experiments Demonstrating that Nature Abhors a Vacuum
54. Nature Does Not Abhor a Vacuum
Blaise Pascal
55. Motion in a Hypothetical Void
a. St. Thomas Aquinas: A Kinematic Argument for Finite Motion in a Hypothetical Void
b. Albert of Saxony: Dynamic Arguments Justifying Motion in a Hypothetical Void
c. Galileo Galilei: His Earliest Law of Motion and His Arguments for Finite Velocity in a Void
d. Thomas Bradwardine: Unequal Homogeneous Bodies Fall with Equal Velocity in a Vacuum
e. Albert of Saxony: Unequal Homogeneous Bodies Fall with Equal Velocity in a Vacuum
f. Galileo Galilei: Unequal Homogeneous Bodies Fall with Equal Velocity in a Vacuum
56. On Interstitial Vacua
a. Marsilius of Inghen: Explanation of Condensation and Rarefaction, and Denial of Interstitial Vacua
b. Nicholas of Autrecourt: The Existence of Interstitial Vacua Affirmed
c. Galileo Galilei: The Existence of Interstitial Vacua Affirmed
G. MEASUREMENT OF FORCES
57. On Maximum and Minimum Powers
John Buridan
H. MAGNETISM
58. An Encyclopedist's Description of the Magnet
Bartholomew the Englishman
59. The First Systematic Description in Europe of the Properties of the Lodestone
Peter Peregrinus
I. OPTICS
60. The Encyclopedic Tradition in Optics
a. Adelard of Bath: Natural Questions
b. Alexander Neckam: Concerning the Natures of Things
c. Bartholomew the Englishman: Concerning the Properties of Things
61. Robert Grosseteste and the Revival of Optics in the West
1. Robert Grosseteste: Concerning Lines, Angles, and Figures
2. Robert Grosseteste: On the Rainbow
62. Late Thirteenth-Century Synthesis in Optics
a. Roger Bacon: The Nature and Multiplication of Light or Species
b. John Pecham: The Nature and Multiplication of Light or Species
c. Roger Bacon: The Nature and Multiplication of Light or Species
d. Witelo: The Nature and Multiplication of Light or Species
e. Witelo: The Speed of Propagation of Light or Species
f. Roger Bacon: The Speed of Propagation of Light or Species
g. John Pecham: The Structure of the Eye
h. Alhazen: The Lens as the Sensitive Organ of the Eye
i. Roger Bacon: The Lens as the Sensitive Organ of the Eye
j. Witelo: The Lens as the Sensitive Organ of the Eye
k. Alhazen: The Act of Sight
l. Witelo: The Act of Sight
m. John Pecham: The Act of Sight
n. Alhazen: The Debate about Visual Rays
o. Roger Bacon: The Debate about Visual Rays
p. John Pecham: The Debate about Visual Rays
q. Witelo: The Debate about Visual Rays
r. Roger Bacon: Psychology of Visual Perception
s. John Pecham: The Geometry of Reflection
t. Witelo: A Problem of Image Formation by Reflection
u. Alhazen: Paraboloidal Burning Mirrors
v. Witelo: Paraboloidal Burning Mirrors
w. Alhazen: Causal Analysis of Reflection
x. Roger Bacon: Causal Analysis of Reflection
y. Witelo: Causal Analysis of Reflection
z. Alhazen: An Instrument for Investigating Refraction
aa. Roger Bacon: The Geometry of Refraction
bb. Witelo: The Geometry of Refraction
cc. John Pecham: Image Formation by Refraction
dd. Roger Bacon: Image Formation by Refraction
ee. John Pecham: The Burning Glass
ff. Roger Bacon: Causal Analysis of Refraction
gg. Witelo: Causal Analysis of Refraction
63. Late Medieval Optics
a. Henry of Hesse: Questions Concerning Perspective
b. Theodoric of Freiberg: On the Rainbow
Astronomy, Astrology, and Cosmology
A. THE ELEMENTS OF ASTRONOMY
64. The Two Most Popular Medieval Handbooks of the Elements of Astronomy
a. John of Sacrobosco: On the Sphere
b. Anonymous: The Theory of the Planets
65. Extracts from the Alfonsine Tables and Rules for Their Use
John of Saxony
B. ASTROLOGY
66. An Attack upon Astrology
Nicole Oresme
C. COSMOLOGY
67. On the Possible Diurnal Rotation of the Earth
a. Introduction
Edward Grant
b. Ptolemy: The Immobility of the Earth in the Center of the World
c. St. Thomas Aquinas: The Immobility of the Earth in the Center of the World
d. St. Thomas Aquinas: Heraclides of Pontus and Aristarchus Mentioned as Proponents of the Earth's Diurnal Rotation
e. John Buridan: The Compatibility of the Earth's Diurnal Rotation with Astronomical Phenomena
f. Nicole Oresme: The Compatibility of the Earth's Diurnal Rotation with Astronomical Phenomena and Terrestrial Physics
g. Nicolaus Copernicus: The Compatability of the Earth's Diurnal Rotation with Astronomical Phenomena and Terrestrial Physics
68. On Saving the Phenomena and the Reality or Unreality of Epicycles and Eccentrics
a. Moses Maimonides: The Reality of Epicycles and Eccentrics Denied
b. Bernard of Verdun: The Reality of Epicycles and Eccentrics Affirmed
c. John Buridan: An Intermediate Position—Epicycles Denied, Eccentrics Affirmed
69. On the Commensurability or Incommensurability of Celestial Motions
Nicole Oresme
70. On Comets
Albertus Magnus
71. The Possibility of a Plurality of Worlds
Nicole Oresme
72. On the Existence of an Imaginary Infinite Void Space Beyond the Finite Cosmos
a. Hermes Trismegistus to Asclepius: Void Beyond the Cosmos Lacks Matter but Not Spirit
73. On a God-filled Extramundane Infinite Void Space
a. Thomas Bradwardine
b. Nicole Oresme
c. Jesuit Commentators at the College of Coimbra, Portugal
d. Otto von Guericke
Alchemy and Chemistry
74. On the Formation of Minerals and Metals and the Impossibility of Alchemy
Avicenna
75. Twenty-six Arguments against Alchemy and the Responses Thereto
Petrus Bonus
76. A Description of Alchemical Operations, Procedures, and Materials
Albertus Magnus
77. How Elements Persist in a Compound
a. St. Thomas Aquinas
b. Albert of Saxony
Geology, Geography, and Oceanography
A. GEOLOGY
78. On the Formation of Stones and Mountains
Avicenna
79. On the Motion of the Earth's Center of Gravity and the Formation of Mountains
John Buridan
80. On the Material, Hardness, and Fissility of Stones
Albertus Magnus
B. GEOGRAPHY
81. The Image or Representation of the World (Ymago Mundi)
Pierre d'Ailly, with the Marginal Comments of Christopher Columbus
C. OCEANOGRAPHY
82. On the Causes of the Tides
Robert Grosseteste
Biology
A. ZOOLOGY
83. Descriptions of Animals from a Twelfth-Century Bestiary
84. An Attempt at a Scientific Description of Animals
Albertus Magnus
85. On the Structure and Habits of Birds
Frederick II of Hohenstaufen
86. Philosophical and Theoretical Zoology
Albertus Magnus
B. BOTANY
87. Philosophical and Theoretical Botany
Albertus Magnus
88. An Illustration of Descriptive Botany: The Oak Tree
Albertus Magnus
Medicine
A. THEORY
89. Early Medieval Medicine
Isidore of Seville
B. PHYSIOLOGY
90. The Galenic System
Joannitius (Hunain ibn Ishaq)
91. Canon
Avicenna
C. SCIENTIFIC METHOD
92. Commentaries on Galen's Tegni
Jacopo da Forli and Haly Rodohan
D. ANATOMY
93. On Anatomy
Isidore of Seville
94. Anatomical Demonstration at Salerno: The Anatomy of the Pig
Anonymous
95. A Scholastic Anatomy: The Anatomy of Master Nicholas
Master Nicholas (?)
96. Anatomy Based on Human Dissection: The Anatomy of Mundinus
Mondino de' Luzzi
97. A Fifteenth-Century Autopsy
Bernard Tornius
E. PRACTICE
98. General Instructions for the Practitioner
Archimatthaeus
F. METHODS OF DIAGNOSIS
99. Interpretation of the Pulse
Anonymous
100. Interpretation of the Urine
a. Giles of Corbeil
b. Arnald of Villanova
101. Interpretation of Particular Symptoms
a. Gilbert the Englishman: The Symptoms of Leprosy
b. Jordan of Turre (?): The Symptoms of Lepers
c. John of Mirfeld: Danger Symptoms
G. A METHOD OF MEDICAL PRACTICE
102. A Consilium
Ugo Benzi
H. TREATMENT OF PARTICULAR AILMENTS
103. Gynecology
Trotula
104. How to Combat Spells Preventing Intercourse
Constantine the African
105. Diseases of the Skin
Theodoric, Bishop of Cervia
106. Smallpox
John Gaddesden
107. Bubonic Plague
Guy de Chauliac
I. TOOLS EMPLOYED IN TREATMENT
108. Diet and Regimen
Regimen Sanitatis Salernitanum
109. Drugs: Simple Medicines
a. Rufinus: Simple Medicines
b. Taddeo Alderotti: The Preparation and Medicinal Use of Alcohol
110. Drugs: Compound Medicines
a. Matthaeus Platearius: The Rationalization of Pharmacy
b. Antidotarium Nicolai: Traditional Empirical Pharmacy
c. Bernard of Gordon: Mathematical Pharmacy
J. SURGERY
111. History of Surgery
Guy de Chauliac
112. Salernitan Surgery
Roger of Salerno
113. Definition and Objectives of Surgery
Theodoric, Bishop of Cervia
114. Bloodletting
Lanfranc
115. The Treatment of Wounds
a. Theodoric, Bishop of Cervia
b. Henry of Mondevile
c. Guy de Chauliac
116. Plastic Surgery
Heinrich von Pfolspeundt
BRIEF AUTHOR BIOGRAPHIES
INDEX
