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A History of Magic and Experimental Science, Volume 1 (of 2) / During the First Thirteen Centuries of Our Era cover

A History of Magic and Experimental Science, Volume 1 (of 2) / During the First Thirteen Centuries of Our Era

By Lynn Thorndike
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About This Book

A systematic survey charts how magical practices and empirical inquiry overlapped from late antiquity through the medieval era, using careful manuscript and textual evidence to trace the transmission of ancient sources and the debates they provoked. Organized by author and topic, the study examines divination, astrology, alchemy, natural magic, and early experimental techniques alongside medicine, philosophy, and theology, showing institutional contexts such as universities and libraries and the shifting boundaries between superstition and scholarly investigation. It combines close readings of primary texts with historiographical commentary to map intellectual continuities, controversies, and methodological change across the period.

About the Author

Thorndike, Lynn portrait

Lynn Thorndike

Lynn Thorndike was an American historian and scholar, best known for his extensive work on the history of magic and science. His notable contributions include the two-volume series "A History of Magic and Experimental Science," which explores the development of magical practices and scientific thought during the first thirteen centuries of the Common Era. Thorndike's research delves into the interplay between magic and intellectual history in Europe, providing valuable insights into how these fields influenced one another. His scholarship remains significant for those interested in the historical context of science and the cultural perceptions of magic.

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