The Secrets of AlchemyUniversity of Chicago Press, 2013 - 281 síður In The Secrets of Alchemy, Lawrence M. Principe, one of the world’s leading authorities on the subject, brings alchemy out of the shadows and restores it to its important place in human history and culture. By surveying what alchemy was and how it began, developed, and overlapped with a range of ideas and pursuits, Principe illuminates the practice. He vividly depicts the place of alchemy during its heyday in early modern Europe, and then explores how alchemy has fit into wider views of the cosmos and humanity, touching on its enduring place in literature, fine art, theater, and religion as well as its recent acceptance as a serious subject of study for historians of science. In addition, he introduces the reader to some of the most fascinating alchemists, such as Zosimos and Basil Valentine, whose lives dot alchemy’s long reign from the third century and to the present day. Through his exploration of alchemists and their times, Principe pieces together closely guarded clues from obscure and fragmented texts to reveal alchemy’s secrets, and—most exciting for budding alchemists—uses them to recreate many of the most famous recipes in his lab, including those for the “glass of antimony” and “philosophers’ tree.” This unique approach brings the reader closer to the actual work of alchemy than any other book. |
Efni
What Is Alchemy? | 1 |
GrecoEgyptian Chemeia | 9 |
Arabic alKīmiyaø | 27 |
Medieval Latin Alchemia | 51 |
Alchemy from the Eighteenth Century to the Present | 83 |
Practicing Chymistry in the Early Modern Period | 107 |
6 Unveiling the Secrets | 137 |
7 The Wider Worlds of Chymistry | 173 |
Epilogue | 207 |
Acknowledgments | 211 |
Notes | 213 |
251 | |
273 | |
Aðrar útgáfur - View all
Common terms and phrases
activity actually alchemists alchemy ancient antimony appeared Arabic Athanasius Kircher authors base become body Boyle called century chapter Christian chrysopoeia chymical chymistry chymists claims combination common connection contains continued culture describes developed divine earlier early modern edition elements Europe example exist experiments expressed fact Figure fire followed four gives gold Greek heat human ideas images interest interpretation John J bir knowledge known laboratory later Latin lead literature London material matter meaning medicine Mercury metals nature notes operations original Paris period Philosophers practical prepared present Press Principe produce published qualities readers recipe reference remains Robert secret seems seventeenth silver sources spiritual Starkey Stone substances Sulfur term texts theory things thought tion transformations translation transmutation true turn understand University Valentine various writings wrote Zosimos