De Complexionibus seu De Temperamentis, I-III, late 13th century
Contents
De Complexionibus is the name given to the Latin translation of the first three books of De Tempermentis from Galen. Based on humoral medicine (discussed in another Galenic treatise also included in MS 166), this treatise covers the 'complexions', or the concept of individual arrangements of humours in people. This idea of predominating humours is described as four 'temperaments' of people (choleric, melancholic, phlegmatic, or sanguine), each with associated physiological and mental/emotional traits stemming from the prevalent humours. In medieval medicine, these complexions/temperaments could require specific therapies in times of illness. This Latin translation appears to be by the prolific 12th-century translator, Gerard of Cremona.
De Complexionibus begins on f. 125v, with a prologue: Summe quae sunt in sermone primo libri Galieni de complexionibus... The text begins with Quoniam insignes antiqui medicorum... On f. 145r the final line is in medicinis ipsis. Explicit liber Galieni de Complexionibus. Deo gracias.
This treatise is by the second of the two hands contained in MS 166.
Dates
- Creation: late 13th century
Creator
- Galen. (Language of a work: Latin. Title of work: De temperamentis.) (Author, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to all. The manuscripts can be consulted in the Centre for Research Collections, Edinburgh University Main Library.
Extent
21 folios
Creator
- Galen. (Language of a work: Latin. Title of work: De temperamentis.) (Author, Person)
- Gherardo, da Cremona, 1113 or 1114-1187 (translator of Arabic works into Latin) (Translator, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository
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