The Graeco-Arabic translation movement can be considered as a crucial moment in the history of science, for the massive transfer and elaboration of knowledge that characterizes it. Medicine and alchemy represent two thematic cores in this process. This block seminar aims at offering the students a large overview and a deep comprehension of this phenomenon, by focusing on a number of multilingual textual traditions of paramount importance: narratives of translation, Hippocrates aphorisms, early technical alchemy, and Galen’s Book on Simple Drugs. Those who wish to attend do not need to know all the three languages involved (Greek, Syriac and Arabic), since the readings will be guided, and the participants provided with both the original texts and their English translation. The participants are, however, required to have working knowledge of at least one of the relevant languages. 1. NARRATIVES OF TRANSLATION Introduction to the historical context of transfer and transmission of knowledge in the pre-modern Near East The role of the narratives of translation: context and authority. Greek and Syriac readings Arabic readings 2. THE APHORIMS OF HIPPOCRATES Introduction to the Hippocratic Corpus and its Greek tradition, with special focus on the Aphorisms The Hippocratic Corpus and the Aphorisms in Arabic Graeco-Syro-Arabic readings I Graeco-Syro-Arabic readings II 3. TECHNICAL ALCHEMY Introduction to pre-modern technical alchemy in Greek and Syriac Introduction to technical alchemy in the early Abbasid age Greek and Syriac readings (Ps. Democritus) Arabic readings (Ps. Democritus) 4. GALEN’S DE SIMPLICIUM MEDICAMENTORUM (Book IX) Introduction to the Simples and its tradition in Greek and Syriac Introduction to the Arabic translation of the Simples Graeco-Syro-Arabic readings I (Introduction on mineral drugs) Graeco-Syro-Arabic readings II (Armenian earth) 5. FOLLOW UP SESSION Additional readings in one or two different topics of the seminar. Specific interests and curiosities of the participants will guide the choice. close