Mastering Nature in the Medieval Arabic and Latin Worlds

Studies in Heritage and Transfer of Arabic Science in Honour of Charles Burnett

Edited by Ann Giletti Edited by Dag Nikolaus Hasse

Book cover: Mastering Nature in the Medieval Arabic and Latin Worlds

Extent: 292, 292 pages

Publisher: Brepols Publishers

Subjects: Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies, Medieval Studies, Philosophy

Series: Contact and Transmission

Series volume number: 4

Language: Arabic

Hardback (Published)

(November 2023)

ISBN: 9782503604480

Price: $125.00

In stock

Brings together studies on medieval Arabic science and European engagement with it, with themes ranging from climate and geography to astrology and magic.


Understanding and influencing nature were preeminent aims of medieval Arabic science, and attracted European fascination with its accomplishments. This volume draws together studies on central themes, presenting a world of enquiry into the earth and the heavens, and ways to harness this information for divination and the occult sciences. It gives examples of how Arabic science travelled to Latin Europe through texts and instruments, and how it underwent transformation there as diverse fields were put to use and reinterpreted. The studies introduce a range of learning and perspectives: astrology conducted with planetary lots; a geography where features of the earth’s surface move over time; knowledge of the elements and climates which Adelard of Bath learned from Arab masters; Avicenna’s meteorology explaining the extremes of fire storms and catastrophic floods; debates about the eternity or creation of the world; evaluations of magic as a rational, intellectual discipline, or alternatively a danger needing censorship and linked to female witchcraft; and a precious astrolabe which in the Renaissance was reused and inspired new theoretical writings. Together these studies sketch a landscape of medieval Arabic science and Latin European engagement with this new frontier.

  • Edited by Ann Giletti
  • Edited by Dag Nikolaus Hasse