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Letter #6263

Ioannes DANTISCUS to Georgius SABINUS
s.l., [after 1547-02-26]

Early printed source materials:
1SABINUS 1558 (Ioannes Dantiscus episcopus Varmiensis Sabino s(alutem)) p. [170v-171r] (in extenso)
2SABINUS 1563 (Ioannes Dantiscus episcopus Varmiensis Sabino s(alutem)) p. 331-332 (in extenso)
3SABINUS 1578 (Ioannes Dantiscus episcopus Varmiensis Sabino s(alutem)) p. 331-332 (in extenso)
4SABINUS 1581 (Ioannes Dantiscus episcopus Varmiensis Sabino s(alutem)) p. 331-332 (in extenso)
5SABINUS 1589 (Ioannes Dantiscus episcopus Varmiensis Sabino s(alutem)) p. 331-332 (in extenso)
6SABINUS 1606 (Ioannes Dantiscus Episcopus Varmiensis suo Sabino s(alutem)) p. 3[03]-305 (in extenso)
7DANTISCUS 1764 (Ad eundem) p. 155-156 (in extenso)

Prints:
1DANTISCUS 1938 (Jedenastozgłoskowce do Jerzego Sabina) No. 18.3, p. 192-194 (Polish translation, Jan Michał HARHALA)
2Dantisci Carmina (Hendecasyllabi ad Georgium Sabinum) No. XLVI.3, p. 214-216 (in extenso)
3Antologia 1956 (Jedenastozgłoskowce do Jerzego Sabina) No. 3, p. 230 (Polish translation, Edwin JĘDRKIEWICZ; in extenso)
4DANTISCUS 1973, 1987 (Hendecasyllabi ad Georgium Sabinum / Jedenastozgłoskowce do Jerzego Sabina) No. 3, p. 96-99 (in extenso; Polish translation, Anna KAMIEŃSKA)
5Antologia 1985 (Jedenastozgłoskowce do Jerzego Sabina) No. 3, p. 232--233 (Polish translation, Edwin JĘDRKIEWICZ)
6STARNAWSKI 2001 p. 36 (excerpt)

 

Text & apparatus & commentary Plain text Text & commentary Text & apparatus

 

Perlegi cupide tuum libellum,[1]
Leporis, salis, eruditionis
Plenum, quem toties videre avebam.
Ex hoc ingenii libens acumen
5
Amplexus, numeros iocosque dulces
Transcurri; neque Pegasus PegasumPegasus volantem,
Quem clarum tibi stemma iussit esse
Charles V of Habsburg (*1500 – †1558), ruler of the Burgundian territories (1506-1555), King of Spain as Charles I (1516-1556), King of Naples and Sicily, King of the Romans (1519-1530), Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation (elected 1519, crowned 1530, abdicated 1556); son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of CastileCaesarCharles V of Habsburg (*1500 – †1558), ruler of the Burgundian territories (1506-1555), King of Spain as Charles I (1516-1556), King of Naples and Sicily, King of the Romans (1519-1530), Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation (elected 1519, crowned 1530, abdicated 1556); son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of Castile, praeterii, nec hoc, amicis
Quidquid Muses Greek goddesses of literature and the artsPieridesMuses Greek goddesses of literature and the arts tuae dicarunt.
10
Dignas hinc tibi gratias referre
Deberem siquidem, sed est supellex,
Scis, quam curta mihi, sub hac palaestra
Iam pridem qui Helicon, mountain in Greece, a temple of Apollo and a grove dedicated to the Muses was there located in antiquity; the ancients belived that the springs there gave poets inspirationHeliconidasHelicon, mountain in Greece, a temple of Apollo and a grove dedicated to the Muses was there located in antiquity; the ancients belived that the springs there gave poets inspiration reliqui.
Ingratus tamen esse nolo totus:
15
Si cf. De duabus Lucretiis In Lucretiam Romanam sese interficientem [1530-10 — 1531-03], CIDTC IDP 162;
De duabus Lucretiis, barbara et Romana Ioannes Dantiscus Alphonso Valdesio [1530-10 — 1531-03], CIDTC IDP 181;
De duabus Lucretiis, barbara et Romana Ad Lectorem [1530-10 — 1531-03], CIDTC IDP 182;
De duabus Lucretiis, barbara et Romana De Lucretia barbara [1530-10 — 1531-03], CIDTC IDP 183;
De duabus Lucretiis, barbara et Romana [Responsio a Ioanne Dantisco ad epigramma Stephani Comitis data] [1531-01 — 1531-03], CIDTC IDP 184
Lucretia nostracf. De duabus Lucretiis In Lucretiam Romanam sese interficientem [1530-10 — 1531-03], CIDTC IDP 162;
De duabus Lucretiis, barbara et Romana Ioannes Dantiscus Alphonso Valdesio [1530-10 — 1531-03], CIDTC IDP 181;
De duabus Lucretiis, barbara et Romana Ad Lectorem [1530-10 — 1531-03], CIDTC IDP 182;
De duabus Lucretiis, barbara et Romana De Lucretia barbara [1530-10 — 1531-03], CIDTC IDP 183;
De duabus Lucretiis, barbara et Romana [Responsio a Ioanne Dantisco ad epigramma Stephani Comitis data] [1531-01 — 1531-03], CIDTC IDP 184
[2] non placebit,
Quam mitto, veniam dabis; placere
Quod possit tibi forte, deinde mittam.
At patrocinio tuo tuisque
Doctis hendecasyllabis, Sabine,
20
Indignus fuit ille sordidatus,
Pro quo tot precibus simul profusis
Exposcis veniam, licet sit usto
Dignus stigmate, contumax Iopas,[3]
Qui tangens fidibus chelyn malignis
25
Infames voluit meos fideles
Cives reddere, dixerat fidem quos
Infregisse; docere quod nequibat.
Poenas ferre graves calumniator
Coram iudicio, quod ergo fugit,
30
Leges quas statuere, debuisset.
Quod porro quereris, gemis dolesque
Mortem Anna Schwarzerdt (*1522 – †1547), daughter of Philipp Melanchthon, since 1536 wife of Georgius Sabinus (NDB, Bd. 22, p. 320-321)coniugisAnna Schwarzerdt (*1522 – †1547), daughter of Philipp Melanchthon, since 1536 wife of Georgius Sabinus (NDB, Bd. 22, p. 320-321) optimique Pietro Bembo (*1470 – †1547), Italian scholar, poet, literary theorist, historian, editor of Petrarch; an exponent of Ciceronian purism and one of the most important figures in the development of the Italian language as a literary medium; from 1513 secretary to Pope Leo X; in 1538 elevated to cardinal (CE, vol. 1, p. 120-123)BembiPietro Bembo (*1470 – †1547), Italian scholar, poet, literary theorist, historian, editor of Petrarch; an exponent of Ciceronian purism and one of the most important figures in the development of the Italian language as a literary medium; from 1513 secretary to Pope Leo X; in 1538 elevated to cardinal (CE, vol. 1, p. 120-123),
Tecum condolui, piis utrisque,
Orans, Manibus ut quies beata
35
Detur cum superis; et hanc utrisque
Nobis, quando vocabimur, petamus!
Nulli cedere nam solet propinquans
Cunctis terminus a Deo locatus.

[1] Most probably, Dantiscus received the collected works of Georgius Sabinus (Georg Schuler) (*1508 – †1560), philologist, neolatin poet, Melanchton's student and his son-in-law (husband of Anna), first rector of the University of Königsberg (Albertina), acquaintance of Joachim Camerarius, Pietro Bembo, Damian a Goes and Baptista Egnatius; in 1534 created poet-laureate and Comes Palatinus of the Lateran; 1538 professor of rhetoric at the University of Frankfurt an der Oder; 1544 rector of the ducal college (later University) of Königsberg (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 369-370; CE, vol. 3, p. 182-183)Georg SabinusGeorgius Sabinus (Georg Schuler) (*1508 – †1560), philologist, neolatin poet, Melanchton's student and his son-in-law (husband of Anna), first rector of the University of Königsberg (Albertina), acquaintance of Joachim Camerarius, Pietro Bembo, Damian a Goes and Baptista Egnatius; in 1534 created poet-laureate and Comes Palatinus of the Lateran; 1538 professor of rhetoric at the University of Frankfurt an der Oder; 1544 rector of the ducal college (later University) of Königsberg (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 369-370; CE, vol. 3, p. 182-183) (cf. SABINUS 1544cf. ). This is the only book by the author from roughly that period that corresponds to the description of its contents in the poetic letter, in which, among other things, “ioci dulces” are mentioned. The 1544 collection contains works of a playful character, including epigrams. This makes it possible to exclude the interpretation that Dantiscus is referring to the slender poem devoted to the deaths of Anna Schwarzerdt (*1522 – †1547), daughter of Philipp Melanchthon, since 1536 wife of Georgius Sabinus (NDB, Bd. 22, p. 320-321)Sabinus’ wifeAnna Schwarzerdt (*1522 – †1547), daughter of Philipp Melanchthon, since 1536 wife of Georgius Sabinus (NDB, Bd. 22, p. 320-321) and his friend Pietro Bembo (*1470 – †1547), Italian scholar, poet, literary theorist, historian, editor of Petrarch; an exponent of Ciceronian purism and one of the most important figures in the development of the Italian language as a literary medium; from 1513 secretary to Pope Leo X; in 1538 elevated to cardinal (CE, vol. 1, p. 120-123)Pietro BemboPietro Bembo (*1470 – †1547), Italian scholar, poet, literary theorist, historian, editor of Petrarch; an exponent of Ciceronian purism and one of the most important figures in the development of the Italian language as a literary medium; from 1513 secretary to Pope Leo X; in 1538 elevated to cardinal (CE, vol. 1, p. 120-123) (cf. Georgius SABINUS to Ioannes DANTISCUS s.l., [after 1547-02-26], CIDTC IDL 6262Ad Ioannem Danticum episcopum Varmiensemcf. Georgius SABINUS to Ioannes DANTISCUS s.l., [after 1547-02-26], CIDTC IDL 6262, incipit: Ut fato miserabili), which probably reached him at the same time as the book in question and which, in early printed editions, is followed by a short dedicatory note accompanying the gift of the book (cf. Georgius SABINUS to Ioannes DANTISCUS s.l., [after 1547-02-26], CIDTC IDL 6262Ad eundemcf. Georgius SABINUS to Ioannes DANTISCUS s.l., [after 1547-02-26], CIDTC IDL 6262, incipit: Parvum suscipe).

[2] It may be assumed that Dantiscus offered Georg Sabinus a printed edition of his De duabus Lucretiis. cf. Anna Skolimowska, "Manuscript Sources of Ioannes Dantiscus' “De duabus Lucretiis”" in: Respublica Litteraria in Action. New Sources, ed. by Katarzyna Tomaszuk, Warsaw-Cracow, 2016, p. 77-86, series: Corpus Epistularum Ioannis Dantisci 5, 3 Skolimowska 2016 Manuscriptcf. Anna Skolimowska, "Manuscript Sources of Ioannes Dantiscus' “De duabus Lucretiis”" in: Respublica Litteraria in Action. New Sources, ed. by Katarzyna Tomaszuk, Warsaw-Cracow, 2016, p. 77-86, series: Corpus Epistularum Ioannis Dantisci 5, 3 has argued that such an edition, dated 1531, did indeed exist, even though no extant copy is known today.

[3] Dantiscus probably concealed his adversary Alexander von Suchten (*ca. 1520 – †1576-1590), doctor of medicine, alchemist, poet; studied in Leuven, Ferrara, Rome, Bologna and Padua; as a nephew of Alexander Sculteti, accused of heresy and sentenced in 1545 to lose a canonry and hereditary property; 1538-1545 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1549 court physician and librarian of Ottheinrich of Palatinate-Neuburg; 1557 court physician of Sigismund Augustus in Vilnius (PSB 45/3, p. 337-338)Alexander von SuchtenAlexander von Suchten (*ca. 1520 – †1576-1590), doctor of medicine, alchemist, poet; studied in Leuven, Ferrara, Rome, Bologna and Padua; as a nephew of Alexander Sculteti, accused of heresy and sentenced in 1545 to lose a canonry and hereditary property; 1538-1545 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1549 court physician and librarian of Ottheinrich of Palatinate-Neuburg; 1557 court physician of Sigismund Augustus in Vilnius (PSB 45/3, p. 337-338) under the figure of Iopas. Alexander von Suchten (*ca. 1520 – †1576-1590), doctor of medicine, alchemist, poet; studied in Leuven, Ferrara, Rome, Bologna and Padua; as a nephew of Alexander Sculteti, accused of heresy and sentenced in 1545 to lose a canonry and hereditary property; 1538-1545 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1549 court physician and librarian of Ottheinrich of Palatinate-Neuburg; 1557 court physician of Sigismund Augustus in Vilnius (PSB 45/3, p. 337-338)SuchtenAlexander von Suchten (*ca. 1520 – †1576-1590), doctor of medicine, alchemist, poet; studied in Leuven, Ferrara, Rome, Bologna and Padua; as a nephew of Alexander Sculteti, accused of heresy and sentenced in 1545 to lose a canonry and hereditary property; 1538-1545 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1549 court physician and librarian of Ottheinrich of Palatinate-Neuburg; 1557 court physician of Sigismund Augustus in Vilnius (PSB 45/3, p. 337-338) was accused of heresy and, in 1545, sentenced to the loss of his property and of his Ermland canonry, which was subsequently taken over by Kaspar Hannau (Gasparus Hannovius, Kacper Hannow) (*1519 – †1571), Dantiscus' nephew (son of Anna), doctor of both canon and civil law, friend of Marcin Kromer, Bishop of Ermland; his studies in Cracow (1536-1538), and later in Rome (1539-1548), were financed by his uncle; from 1545 Canon of Ermland (Warmia) and Dean of Guttstadt (Dobre Miasto) Collegiate Chapter; from 1547 Canon of Włocławek (ORACKI 1984, p. 84; KOPICZKO 2, p. 108-109)Kaspar HannauKaspar Hannau (Gasparus Hannovius, Kacper Hannow) (*1519 – †1571), Dantiscus' nephew (son of Anna), doctor of both canon and civil law, friend of Marcin Kromer, Bishop of Ermland; his studies in Cracow (1536-1538), and later in Rome (1539-1548), were financed by his uncle; from 1545 Canon of Ermland (Warmia) and Dean of Guttstadt (Dobre Miasto) Collegiate Chapter; from 1547 Canon of Włocławek (ORACKI 1984, p. 84; KOPICZKO 2, p. 108-109), the nephew of Dantiscus. After this, Suchten eventually found refuge in Königsberg (Królewiec, Mons Regius, Regiomontium), city in Ducal Prussia, on the mouth of the Pregel (Pregoła) river, capital city of Ducal Prussia; today Kaliningrad in RussiaKönigsbergKönigsberg (Królewiec, Mons Regius, Regiomontium), city in Ducal Prussia, on the mouth of the Pregel (Pregoła) river, capital city of Ducal Prussia; today Kaliningrad in Russia at the court of Duke Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach (Albrecht von Brandenburg) (*1490 – †1568), 1511-1525 Grand Master of the Teutonic Order; from 1525 to his death Duke in Prussia as a liegeman of the Polish king; son of Friedrich V of Brandenburg der Ältere and Sophia Jagiellon (daughter of Casimir IV Jagiellon), nephew of Sigismund I, King of Poland; founder of the university in Königsberg (1544)Albrecht von HohenzollernAlbrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach (Albrecht von Brandenburg) (*1490 – †1568), 1511-1525 Grand Master of the Teutonic Order; from 1525 to his death Duke in Prussia as a liegeman of the Polish king; son of Friedrich V of Brandenburg der Ältere and Sophia Jagiellon (daughter of Casimir IV Jagiellon), nephew of Sigismund I, King of Poland; founder of the university in Königsberg (1544), where he established close relations with Georgius Sabinus (Georg Schuler) (*1508 – †1560), philologist, neolatin poet, Melanchton's student and his son-in-law (husband of Anna), first rector of the University of Königsberg (Albertina), acquaintance of Joachim Camerarius, Pietro Bembo, Damian a Goes and Baptista Egnatius; in 1534 created poet-laureate and Comes Palatinus of the Lateran; 1538 professor of rhetoric at the University of Frankfurt an der Oder; 1544 rector of the ducal college (later University) of Königsberg (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 369-370; CE, vol. 3, p. 182-183)Georg SabinusGeorgius Sabinus (Georg Schuler) (*1508 – †1560), philologist, neolatin poet, Melanchton's student and his son-in-law (husband of Anna), first rector of the University of Königsberg (Albertina), acquaintance of Joachim Camerarius, Pietro Bembo, Damian a Goes and Baptista Egnatius; in 1534 created poet-laureate and Comes Palatinus of the Lateran; 1538 professor of rhetoric at the University of Frankfurt an der Oder; 1544 rector of the ducal college (later University) of Königsberg (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 369-370; CE, vol. 3, p. 182-183), who was then residing there as rector of the local university. (cf. NOWAK 2007–2008cf. , p. 337). In August 1547, under the auspices of the university (as indicated on the title page), Suchten published the poem Vandalus on the legendary Polish ruler Wanda (cf. SUCHTEN 1547cf. ). The book included a laudatory poem in praise of the Alexander von Suchten (*ca. 1520 – †1576-1590), doctor of medicine, alchemist, poet; studied in Leuven, Ferrara, Rome, Bologna and Padua; as a nephew of Alexander Sculteti, accused of heresy and sentenced in 1545 to lose a canonry and hereditary property; 1538-1545 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1549 court physician and librarian of Ottheinrich of Palatinate-Neuburg; 1557 court physician of Sigismund Augustus in Vilnius (PSB 45/3, p. 337-338)authorAlexander von Suchten (*ca. 1520 – †1576-1590), doctor of medicine, alchemist, poet; studied in Leuven, Ferrara, Rome, Bologna and Padua; as a nephew of Alexander Sculteti, accused of heresy and sentenced in 1545 to lose a canonry and hereditary property; 1538-1545 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1549 court physician and librarian of Ottheinrich of Palatinate-Neuburg; 1557 court physician of Sigismund Augustus in Vilnius (PSB 45/3, p. 337-338) by Georgius Sabinus (Georg Schuler) (*1508 – †1560), philologist, neolatin poet, Melanchton's student and his son-in-law (husband of Anna), first rector of the University of Königsberg (Albertina), acquaintance of Joachim Camerarius, Pietro Bembo, Damian a Goes and Baptista Egnatius; in 1534 created poet-laureate and Comes Palatinus of the Lateran; 1538 professor of rhetoric at the University of Frankfurt an der Oder; 1544 rector of the ducal college (later University) of Königsberg (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 369-370; CE, vol. 3, p. 182-183)SabinusGeorgius Sabinus (Georg Schuler) (*1508 – †1560), philologist, neolatin poet, Melanchton's student and his son-in-law (husband of Anna), first rector of the University of Königsberg (Albertina), acquaintance of Joachim Camerarius, Pietro Bembo, Damian a Goes and Baptista Egnatius; in 1534 created poet-laureate and Comes Palatinus of the Lateran; 1538 professor of rhetoric at the University of Frankfurt an der Oder; 1544 rector of the ducal college (later University) of Königsberg (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 369-370; CE, vol. 3, p. 182-183), who extolled Suchten as a poet, stylizing him as an ancient bard playing a harp made of tortoise shell, i.e. chelys (f. E2v). It appears that both the poem and the book were known to Dantiscus. He not only tactfully reminded Georgius Sabinus (Georg Schuler) (*1508 – †1560), philologist, neolatin poet, Melanchton's student and his son-in-law (husband of Anna), first rector of the University of Königsberg (Albertina), acquaintance of Joachim Camerarius, Pietro Bembo, Damian a Goes and Baptista Egnatius; in 1534 created poet-laureate and Comes Palatinus of the Lateran; 1538 professor of rhetoric at the University of Frankfurt an der Oder; 1544 rector of the ducal college (later University) of Königsberg (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 369-370; CE, vol. 3, p. 182-183)SabinusGeorgius Sabinus (Georg Schuler) (*1508 – †1560), philologist, neolatin poet, Melanchton's student and his son-in-law (husband of Anna), first rector of the University of Königsberg (Albertina), acquaintance of Joachim Camerarius, Pietro Bembo, Damian a Goes and Baptista Egnatius; in 1534 created poet-laureate and Comes Palatinus of the Lateran; 1538 professor of rhetoric at the University of Frankfurt an der Oder; 1544 rector of the ducal college (later University) of Königsberg (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 369-370; CE, vol. 3, p. 182-183) of his role in granting shelter to Alexander von Suchten (*ca. 1520 – †1576-1590), doctor of medicine, alchemist, poet; studied in Leuven, Ferrara, Rome, Bologna and Padua; as a nephew of Alexander Sculteti, accused of heresy and sentenced in 1545 to lose a canonry and hereditary property; 1538-1545 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1549 court physician and librarian of Ottheinrich of Palatinate-Neuburg; 1557 court physician of Sigismund Augustus in Vilnius (PSB 45/3, p. 337-338)SuchtenAlexander von Suchten (*ca. 1520 – †1576-1590), doctor of medicine, alchemist, poet; studied in Leuven, Ferrara, Rome, Bologna and Padua; as a nephew of Alexander Sculteti, accused of heresy and sentenced in 1545 to lose a canonry and hereditary property; 1538-1545 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1549 court physician and librarian of Ottheinrich of Palatinate-Neuburg; 1557 court physician of Sigismund Augustus in Vilnius (PSB 45/3, p. 337-338) while he was fleeing justice, but also alluded to Sabinus’ poetic praise of him. Dantiscus ironically refers to Alexander von Suchten (*ca. 1520 – †1576-1590), doctor of medicine, alchemist, poet; studied in Leuven, Ferrara, Rome, Bologna and Padua; as a nephew of Alexander Sculteti, accused of heresy and sentenced in 1545 to lose a canonry and hereditary property; 1538-1545 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1549 court physician and librarian of Ottheinrich of Palatinate-Neuburg; 1557 court physician of Sigismund Augustus in Vilnius (PSB 45/3, p. 337-338)SuchtenAlexander von Suchten (*ca. 1520 – †1576-1590), doctor of medicine, alchemist, poet; studied in Leuven, Ferrara, Rome, Bologna and Padua; as a nephew of Alexander Sculteti, accused of heresy and sentenced in 1545 to lose a canonry and hereditary property; 1538-1545 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1549 court physician and librarian of Ottheinrich of Palatinate-Neuburg; 1557 court physician of Sigismund Augustus in Vilnius (PSB 45/3, p. 337-338) as the bard at the court of Dido DidoDido , repeating the imagery of the harp (chelys), while at the same time castigating him for the improper use of the instrument to defame his fellow citizens. This may refer either to the Citizens of Gdańsk inhabitants of GdańskCitizens of Gdańsk , from which both Dantiscus and Alexander von Suchten (*ca. 1520 – †1576-1590), doctor of medicine, alchemist, poet; studied in Leuven, Ferrara, Rome, Bologna and Padua; as a nephew of Alexander Sculteti, accused of heresy and sentenced in 1545 to lose a canonry and hereditary property; 1538-1545 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1549 court physician and librarian of Ottheinrich of Palatinate-Neuburg; 1557 court physician of Sigismund Augustus in Vilnius (PSB 45/3, p. 337-338)SuchtenAlexander von Suchten (*ca. 1520 – †1576-1590), doctor of medicine, alchemist, poet; studied in Leuven, Ferrara, Rome, Bologna and Padua; as a nephew of Alexander Sculteti, accused of heresy and sentenced in 1545 to lose a canonry and hereditary property; 1538-1545 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1549 court physician and librarian of Ottheinrich of Palatinate-Neuburg; 1557 court physician of Sigismund Augustus in Vilnius (PSB 45/3, p. 337-338) originated, or more broadly to The Prussians the inhabitants of PrussiaThe Prussians . The choice of Iopas may also be explained by the character of his song in the Aeneid, which was traditionally interpreted as an exposition of natural philosophy, focusing on astronomy and meteorological phenomena. In his later years, Suchten devoted himself to medicine and alchemy (on Suchten’s works in this field, see cf. PRINKEcf. , p. 338–348, and the earlier literature cited there); this literary allusion may therefore echo contemporary opinions circulating about his intellectual interests.