The Four Books of Pseudo Democritus 1st Edition by Matteo Martelli ISBN 1909662283 978-1909662285

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Product details:

ISBN 10: 1909662283 

ISBN 13: 978-1909662285

Author: Matteo Martelli

The Four Books of pseudo-Democritus, written in the first century AD, rank among the very earliest known alchemical writings. In this volume, Matteo Martelli presents not only a fresh edition and translation of the surviving Greek fragments, but also, for the first time, additional materials preserved in Syriac.The volume presents important examples of the early modern and medieval reception of Synesius and Dioscorus – the most interesting Byzantine commentary on the Four Books – and previously unpublished Latin translations of both the Four Books and Synesius’ commentary made by Matthaeus Zuber in 1606. Accompanied by a full translation and commentary, these sources offer new and significant insights into the world of ancient chemistry: practical recipes and lists of ingredients, clues to the doctrinal content of ancient alchemy, and early hints of a tradition that linked the alchemist ‘Democritus’ to the wisdom of Egypt and Persia.

Table of contents: 

INTRODUCTION

1. The Four Books of pseudo-Democritus

2. Alchemical works by ps.-Democritus: the direct manuscript tradition

3. The structure of the lost Four Books of ps.-Democritus

4. Physika kai mystika and the original books on gold and purple

5. The books on silver and precious stones

6. Ps.-Democritus’ Catalogues in the indirect tradition: Synesius’ commentary and the so-called Chemistry of Moses

7. Dating of ps.-Democritus’ Four Books

8. Background to the attribution of the alchemical books to Democritus

9. Bolos of Mendes

10. A commentary on ps.-Democritus’ alchemical work: the dialogue between Synesius and Dioscorus

11. The Four Books and the definition of alchemy

12. The Egyptian background

13. Persian elements: ps.-Democritus and Ostanes

EDITION

Criteria of edition

Greek texts

1. Democritus, On the Making of Purple and Gold: Natural and Secret Questions (PM)

2. On the Making of Silver (AP)

3. Excerpts from The Chemistry of Moses: Democritus’ Catalogue (Cat.)

4. The Philosopher Synesius to Dioscorus: Notes on Democritus’ Book (Syn. Alch.)

5. On Whitening

Syriac texts

1. Book by Democritus: On the Making of Shiny Gold (1SyrC)

2. Second Book by the Philosopher Democritus (2SyrC)

3. Again by Democritus: I Greet you Wise Men (3SyrC)

Zuber’s translations

1. Democriti naturalia et arcana

2. De obscura confectione

3. Synesi philosophi ad Dioscorum in librum Democriti tanquam in scholiis

4. De dealbatione

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