Galen and Isidore to the defense of astrology
A 13th-century Secret of Secrets’ recension by Jofroi of Waterford and James Yonge rhetorically strengthened the defense of astrology. … Read the post Galen and Isidore to the defense of astrology
secretum secretorum
Libro de Buen Amor inverted Secret of Secrets mirror for princes
In contrast to Secret of Secrets, Libro de Buen Amor was a carnivalesque mirror to popularize the personal love of the Christian prince. … Read the post Libro de Buen Amor inverted Secret of Secrets mirror for princes
royal suspicion of medical knowledge in the early Islamic world
Sirr al-Asrar (the book of Secret of Secrets) acknowledges rulers’ suspicion of medical knowledge and displays medical knowledge to gain authority. … Read the post royal suspicion of medical knowledge in the early Islamic world
ancient advice to kings on property rights and taxation
A mid-8th-century Arabic text urged kings to respect property rights and to lower taxes. This Book of Secret of Secrets became popular in medieval Europe. … Read the post ancient advice to kings on property rights and taxation
Aristotle’s advice to Alexander the Great on Persian elites
Secret of Secrets conveys Aristotle’s advice to Alexander to treat conquered Persian elites kindly. Persian elites under Islam thus addressed Arab leaders. … Read the post Aristotle’s advice to Alexander the Great on Persian elites