Theophrastus onLyngurium– Medieval and renaissance lore from the classical lapidary tradition
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-5-2010
Abstract
The ancient philosopher Theophrastus (c. 371-285 BC) described a gemstone called lyngurium, purported to be solidified lynx urine, in his work De lapidibus ('On Stones'). Knowledge of the stone passed from him to other classical authors and into the medieval lapidary tradition, but there it was almost always linked to the 'learned master Theophrastus'. Although no physical example of the stone appears to have been seen or touched in ancient, medieval, or early modern times, its physical and medicinal properties were continually reiterated and elaborated as if it did 'exist'. By the seventeenth century, it began to disappear from lapidaries, but with no attempt to explain previous authors' errors since it had never 'existed' anyway. In tracing the career of lyngurium, this study sheds some light on the transmission of knowledge from the classical world to the Renaissance and the changing criteria by which such knowledge was judged.
Publication Title
Annals of Science
Recommended Citation
Walton, S. A.
(2010).
Theophrastus onLyngurium– Medieval and renaissance lore from the classical lapidary tradition.
Annals of Science,
58(4), 357-379.
http://doi.org/10.1080/000337900110041371
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/social-sciences-fp/39
Publisher's Statement
© 2001 Taylor & Francis Ltd. Publisher's version of record: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/000337900110041371