FIRENZE PADOVA TORINO

Matteo Silvatico "Liber Pandectarum Medicinae" by Matteo Silvatico is a fundamental work in the field of medieval medicine. Written in the 12th century, this text represents a comprehensive encyclopedia of medical knowledge of the time, covering a wide range of topics, from the properties of medicinal herbs to surgical practices.

One of the fundamental contexts that influenced the creation of this text is the Garden of Minerva in Salerno, founded by Matteo Silvatico himself. This botanical garden served as a research and study center for medicinal plants, providing Silvatico and other scholars with the opportunity to collect, study, and catalog the herbs used in the medical practice of the time.

Divided into several books, the "Liber Pandectarum Medicinae" provides a detailed overview of medical theories, therapies, and treatments used in the Middle Ages. Matteo Silvatico gathers and organizes available knowledge, integrating Greek, Roman, and Arabic medical traditions with European local knowledge.

This work not only influenced medical practice in its time but also contributed to the transmission and preservation of medical knowledge through the succeeding centuries. The "Liber Pandectarum Medicinae" remains a document of great historical and scientific importance, offering valuable insights into the understanding and treatment of diseases in the medieval context. Liber Pandectarum Medicinae

I Miti e i Simboli delle Piante presso i Greci ed i Romani

di Reivas dell’Ibis
 
Una gran parte delle cognizioni fisiche e filosofiche degli antichi, per non dire la maggiore, pervenne fino a noi alterata dalle tradizioni ed ottenebrata o velata dai simboli e dai miti. L’incertezza e la moltiplicità di questi e di quelli, la costoro trasformazione e ‘l susseguente polimorfismo presso le diverse nazioni, hanno tolto alle sopravvegnenti razze, di conoscere ed apprezzare debitamente quel grado di coltura e dottrina, al quale attinsero alcuni dei popoli più famigerati della storia antica.
Molti uomini profondi per vasta dottrina, hanno in diversi tempi procacciato, consacrandovi ogni loro studio, di decifrare e chiarire quei germi di sapienza, che sotto il velame dei miti e dei simboli, ci aveano i nostri maggiori tramandato. Queste indagini e questi studj continuati da molti, coi progressi delle scienze, giunsero a tale [punto] da poterci finalmente alla meglio specificare molti fatti astrusi e difficili della mitologia e simbolistica: e con istupore videro l’età moderne non poche delle loro glorie essere offuscate, e prevenute da altre età di dozzine di secoli! Si conobbero le stesse dottrine, gli stessi trovati, le stesse speculazioni, gli stessi errori, le stesse millanterie ed utopie, comechè sotto forme ed aspetti differenti, essere mai sempre state retaggio dei figli di Eva, in tutte le epoche, in tutti i tempi!
 

Collana Symbola | Autore: Reivas dell’Ibis | Anno di edizione 2022 (Edizione originale del 1857) | ISBN 978-88-31966-37-5 

 

Matteo Silvatico "The Ortus Sanitatis" by Matteo Silvatico is an encyclopedic work that stands as one of the most significant texts in the field of medieval medicine. Composed in the 12th century, this work offers a comprehensive view of medical knowledge of the time, including information on medicinal herbs, animals, minerals, and therapeutic practices.

The term "Ortus Sanitatis" translates literally as "Garden of Health," suggesting a place where knowledge is cultivated and gathered to preserve and restore health. Like a sort of nature encyclopedia, the work aims to provide detailed information on various aspects concerning human health, offering practical guidance for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases.

Matteo Silvatico, through the "Ortus Sanitatis," combines medical knowledge from classical antiquity with that of his time, thus contributing to the transmission and preservation of medical practices in the Middle Ages. This work has had a lasting impact on medical practice and the understanding of health and disease in medieval Europe, remaining a document of great historical and scientific importance. The Ortus Sanitatis

Matteo Silvatico Matteo Silvatico's "Opus Pandectarum Medicinae" stands as a cornerstone in the realm of medieval medical literature. Composed during the 12th century, this comprehensive work serves as an extensive compendium of medical knowledge of its time, encompassing a wide array of topics ranging from herbal remedies to surgical techniques.

Silvatico's opus, whose title translates to "The Work of Medical Digests," reflects the author's dedication to synthesizing and organizing the medical wisdom of his era. Drawing from a rich tapestry of influences including classical Greek, Roman, and Arabic sources, Silvatico meticulously catalogues and elaborates upon various medical theories, treatments, and therapeutic practices.

The "Opus Pandectarum Medicinae" not only serves as a repository of medical knowledge but also reflects the author's profound understanding of the interconnectedness between nature, health, and human well-being. Silvatico's work embodies the spirit of scientific inquiry and intellectual curiosity prevalent during the medieval period, offering valuable insights into the medical practices and beliefs of the time.

Through the "Opus Pandectarum Medicinae," Matteo Silvatico leaves behind a legacy that continues to enrich our understanding of medieval medicine and its enduring influence on the development of medical science. This seminal work remains a testament to Silvatico's dedication to advancing medical knowledge and serves as a beacon guiding future generations in the study of the history of medicine. Opus Pandectarum Medicinae

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