CIRUELO, Pedro.

by Pedro Ciruelo

£4,750 · Offered by Sokol Books

A very good copy of this fascinating bestseller treatise in defence of true astrology , against all forms of magical superstition, by the Spanish Pedro Ciruelo. First published in 1537, it was reprinted several times during the 16th century and widely disseminated in Spain. At the time, works on similar topics were commonly composed in Latin: this treatise, written in vernacular to reach a wider audience, is one of the few known examples in Spanish and the most famous of the early 16th century. A mathematician, astrologer and theologian, Pedro S√°nchez Ciruelo (c. 1470-1548) was born in Daroca (Aragon). After obtaining his Master of Arts at the University of Salamanca, he moved to Paris in 1492, where he alternated the teaching of Mathematics with the study of theology. Most of his scholarly production is concerned with creating a corpus of astrological knowledge not in conflict with Christian doctrine: he presented himself as a valid authority on the subject by virtue of his training as a theologian combined with his knowledge of mathematics and astronomy. Reprobation of superstitions and witchcraft is Ciruelo s most famous work, defined in the title as a book necessary for all good Christians . Often mistakenly described as a manual of witchcraft, it is instead aimed to discredit magical practices from a theological and moral point of view. The author encourages proper Catholics and teaches the ignorant , who are attracted by the fascination of supernatural powers, to av

• Binding: Hardcover

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