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• Sopra l’institutio philosophica di Vitruvio: l’apporto concettuale e pratico della filosofia nel De architectura

  173–185.

  Tiziano Ottobrini

  Views:

  65

  The essay aims to point out organically the contribution of philosophical sources within Vitruvius’ De architectura; both the explicit and implicit references to Greek philosophy will be taken into account, showing not only the two philosophical fields involved in the treatise (physics and ethics) but also, for the first time, the relationship between them: the moral improvement of man is parallel to the better knowledge of nature and both are the basis for the full exercise of the architect’s ars.

• Characters and magic signs in the Picatrix and other Medieval magic texts

  69–77

  Benedek Láng

  Views:

  405

  The word „characters” covers a number of different phenomena in the Middle Ages. It might refer to a list of incomprehensible signs and astrological symbols inscribed in a talismanic sigil, to a series of Latin letters used for magical purposes, and also to a written form of verbal incantation, a written charm. Characters were often used in the field of talismanic or celestial magic in order to name spiritual beings. The paper reviews the use of characters in various medieval sources: textual amulets, necromantic manuals, texts on talismanic magic and the most famous medieval magical summary, the Picatrix.