Lesson plan
Alphidius
Alphidius, also known as Asfidus, Alfidius, Alvidius, is the author name of an unknown, probably medieval Arab alchemist. Nothing is known about him, except some citations and his writings in the 14th century. His allegorical symbolism influenced the picture imagination of both the alchemical manuscripts known as Splendor Solis and Lamspring. He is also quoted both directly and indirectly in the early Renaissance alchemical manuscript Aurora Consurgens which cites Alphidius on various accounts : Alphidius says men and children pass by Wisdom on the roads and on the streets and that She is trampled underfoot every day by pack animals and livestocks. or For the science of God shall never perish, as Alphidius attests it. He indeed says : ″Should anyone find this science, it will be for him a rightful and eternal nourishment.″ An alchemist by the name of Alphidius also appears in the dialogue form Rosarium Philosophorum (first printed in De Alchemia). According to Karl Christoph Schmieder there's a handwriting in Latin "claves de quinque lapide philosophico et alia fragmenti de lapide philosophico Componendo" from an Alphidius in the library of San Lorenzo Monastery in El Escorial. The age is unknown to Schmieder, since an Alphidius is also mentioned in the Turba Philosophorum, but he suspects that it may be classified in the Middle Ages (12th century or earlier).…
Article summary
Alphidius, also known as Asfidus, Alfidius, Alvidius, is the author name of an unknown, probably medieval Arab alchemist. Nothing is known about him, except some citations and his writings in the 14th century. His allegorical symbolism influenced the picture imagination of both the alchemical manuscripts known as Splendor Solis and Lamspring. He is also quoted both directly and indirectly in the early Renaissance alchemical manuscript Aurora Consurgens which cites Alphidius on various accounts : Alphidius says men and children pass by Wisdom on the roads and on the streets and that She is trampled underfoot every day by pack animals and livestocks. or For the science of God shall never perish, as Alphidius attests it. He indeed says : ″Should anyone find this science, it will be for him a rightful and eternal nourishment.″ An alchemist by the name of Alphidius also appears in the dialogue form Rosarium Philosophorum (first printed in De Alchemia). According to Karl Christoph Schmieder there's a handwriting in Latin "claves de quinque lapide philosophico et alia fragmenti de lapide philosophico Componendo" from an Alphidius in the library of San Lorenzo Monastery in El Escorial. The age is unknown to Schmieder, since an Alphidius is also mentioned in the Turba Philosophorum, but he suspects that it may be classified in the Middle Ages (12th century or earlier).…
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.