Liber Astrologicus by Saint Isidore of Seville

Liber Astrologicus by Saint Isidore of Seville

The famous Liber Astrologicus by Saint Isidore of Seville (ca. 560–636) is also known by the titles De natura rerum and Liber rotarum. With it, Isidore e of Seville attempted to reconcile the knowledge of the ancient philosophers and scholars with that of the Church Fathers at the beginning of the 7th century. He cited Latin poets as well as Greek and Romans authors alongside the Bible and the church fathers. Sub-divided into 48 sections organized into three primary-chapters, in the Liber Astrologicus, Isidore deals with cosmological, astronomical, and astrological themes, as well as others. He dedicated his manuscript to the Visigothic King Sisebut. The famous text of the significant scholar is gorgeously visualized in this 11th century manuscript!

A Great Religious Teacher

Isidore of Seville (ca. 560–636); Bishop of Seville inter alia, is one of the most famous figures of the Early Middle Ages and is famous to this day as an outstanding scholar and religious teacher. Isidore of Seville influenced a multitude of medieval authors, scientists, and scholars with his writings and was also a fundamental example for such great names as Beda Venerabilis, Alcuin, and Rhabanus Maurus. Etymologiae – an encyclopedia of ancient knowledge in 20 books – continues to make him famous today.

“…what we know from heathen and ecclesiastical scholars”

At the beginning of the 7th century, Isidore of Seville composed the text of the Liber Astrologicus, also known by the name De natura rerum or Liber rotarum. In this text, Isidore sought to bring together the knowledge of ancient philosophers and scholars with that of the Church Fathers. A wonderful book arose in this manner as an arbitrator between natural science and religion. Isidore collected information here regarding the most varied questions and thematic areas, from the most diverse authors, and from sources of all kinds. He cited not only the Bible, but also Latin poets like Virgil, the Church Fathers, and above all from Roman authors like Thales of Miletus or Lucretius.

The Inscription to the King

The Liber Astrologicus is divided into 48 sections, which are organized into three main chapters: the so-called Chronology deals with the definition and classification of days, weeks, months, and times of year with their respective feast days. A chapter about the cosmos and stars is concerned with the heavens, Earth, and the planets. Isidore draws from Genesis here, but also imparts the explanations of others theories. The third chapter is about atmospheric and terrestrial phenomena, e.g. weather phenomena, earthquakes, and the like. Isidore of Seville dedicated this work to King Sisebut (612–620), King of the Visigoths. There is a poem about King Sisebut that serves as an epilog in hexameter at the end of the scholarly treatise by Isidore.

An 11th Century Copy

Manuscript 44 of the Museu Episcopal de Vic in Barcelona is a manuscript from the 11th century. The Liber Astrologicus is illustrated in this 32 page vellum manuscript with six bright, circular astrological charts. Additionally, numerous colorful initials and other bright words are to be found in the text. This manuscript offers the wonderful opportunity to immerse oneself in the world of Isidore of Seville, a medieval scholar of great significance!