On the Connections between Astronomy and Medicine in the Curriculum of the Studies at the College of Philosophy, Astronomy and Medicine Faculty of Bologna University in 1405

GRAZIELLA FEDERICI VESCOVINI
UNIVERSITY OF FLORENCE

The particular feature of the competencies of Bologna University students in Philosophy, Astronomy and Medicine are reconstructed on the basis of historical documentary sources.
In this context the knowledge of the teaching of Ptolemy's Almagest astronomical system had to be supported by the study of his astrological work, the "Quadripartitum". Since in this work Ptolemy closely connected astronomy with astrology, geography, meteorology, but above all with medicine, the medieval knowledge of Ptolemaic astronomy connected the theories of the planets or of eighth sphere motion with his astrological concept on their influence on human body, on health, and illness.
During the teaching of Ptolemaic astronomy in Italian Universities - in Bologna in particular - astronomical medical works, such as the "De Urina non visa" by William the English, were enclosed in astronomical studies curriculum, which is the topic of this talk.