Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 157

ALESSANDRO ACHILLINI (1463-1512) Opera omnia in unum collecta. Apud Hieronymum Scotum 1568 [8] 334 [2] pp., illus. (woodcuts). 31.6 cm.

For more information on this author or work, see number: 156

Achillini graduated from Bologna in 1484 with his doctorate in both medicine and philosophy. He immediately began his advancement through the academic ranks by teaching philosophy and, after 1495, also taught medicine. He left Bologna for Padua in 1506 because of political difficulties and returned in 1508 to teach until his death four years later. During his lifetime he was most highly regarded as a teacher of logic and philosophy, and little attention was paid to his medical or anatomical contributions. His Opera omnia was first published in 1508 and issued again in 1545, 1551, and 1568. A former student and devoted friend, Panfilo Monti (d. 1553), began editing the work in 1545 and this last edition contains his notes. The contents of the book include: De intelligentiis, De orbibus, De universalibus, De physico auditu, De elementis, De subiecto physionomiae & chiromantiae, De subiecto medicinae, De prima potestate syllogismi, De distinctionibus and, De proportione motuum. His works were generally on the thought and doctrine of Aristotle and followed the views of Averroës. The medically related works in his Opera are De subiecto medicinae and De subiecto physionomiae et chiromantiae. The former work is based chiefly on Galen (see No. 36 ff.) and cites such earlier authors as Pietro d'Abano (see No. 93), Pietro Torrigiano de Torrigiani (ca. 1270-ca. 1350), Christophorus Honestis (d. 1392) as well as some with whom he disagreed--Ugo Benzi (see No. 118), Jacobus Forliviensis (see No. 151), and Taddeo Alderotti (d. 1295). In the latter tract Achillini asserts that physiognomy and chiromancy are speculative sciences and not wholly practical. It was his belief that they were subordinated to natural philosophy.

See Related Record(s): 36 93 118 151

Cited references: Durling 29 (1545 ed.); Osler 1720; Waller 19319

Gift of John Martin, M.D.