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ALTES WISSEN - Pliny the Elder

ALTES WISSEN - Pliny the Elder

In Book 37 of his Natural History, Pliny the Elder (AD 23/24–79) discusses the gemstones of his time. He pays particular attention to their origins and to the accounts of earlier authors and what they recorded about gemstones.
ALTES WISSEN - Hildegard of Bingen

ALTES WISSEN - Hildegard of Bingen

The writings of the Benedictine nun Hildegard of Bingen (1098–1179) are among the most important sources for medieval knowledge. In her writings on The Natural Powers of Things, she discusses, among other subjects, the healing properties attributed to stones. Hildegard recorded not only the knowledge of her time but also her own experience of working with stones. As a result, some of the effects she describes differ markedly from those found in other sources.
ALTES WISSEN - Monatssteine der Alten

ALTES WISSEN - Monatssteine der Alten

The modern idea of birthstones is largely traced to two passages in the Bible. The first, Exodus 28:15 onwards, describes the high priest’s garment as bearing twelve gemstones representing the twelve tribes of Israel. The second, Revelation 21:19 onwards, describes the foundations of the wall of the New Jerusalem as adorned with twelve gemstones.
ALTES WISSEN - Empedokles und die 4 Elemente

ALTES WISSEN - Empedokles und die 4 Elemente

Following the pre-Socratic philosophers, Empedocles and his theory of the four elements—earth, fire, water and air—formed a foundation of ancient and medieval physics during his lifetime, 495–435 BC. Empedocles associated the elements with the deities Zeus, Hera, Aidoneus and Nestis, who also represented the Sun, earth, sky and sea.
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