Book Review: Michael Scot's Liber de Signis: Sternstunden am Kaiserhof: Michael Scotus und sein Buch von den Bildern und Zeichen des Himmels

Abstract

MICHAEL SCOT'S LIBER DE SIGNIS Sternstunden am Kaiserhof: Michael Scotus und sein Buch von den Bildern und Zeichen des Himmels. Silke Ackermann (Peter Lang, Frankfurt am Main, 2009). Pp. 642. euro91. ISBN 978-3-631-59489-6.Based on twenty years of research into Michael Scot and his writings, Silke Ackermann's Sternstunden am Kaiserhof is a significant contribution to our knowledge of medieval astronomy and, in particular, of Michael Scot's role in the Geistesleben of the thirteenth century. The centrepiece of this volume is the Editio princeps of Michael's Liber de signis et imaginibus celi, which introduced six new constellations into the Western tradition. The text has a very complex manuscript tradition, which Ackermann admirably clarifies, thus establishing a proper foundation for its study. Little by little, Michael Scot and his work are coming into sharper focus. With Ackermann's book, we take a large step forward in this endeavour.Ackermann's book is divided into four parts: (i) a discussion of Michael's life and works that offers the scholarly status quaestionis on many of the outstanding questions (pp. 13-61); (ii) a study of the text, its content and sources (63-92); (iii) its influence (93-7); and (iv) a Latin edition with a facing German translation ( 1 06-28 1 ) and an extensive commentary, both philological and scientific-historical (282-572). The volume ends with a lengthy bibliography (577-642).Much is written about Michael Scot, but very little is known about his biography beyond that he worked as a translator in Toledo in the circle of Archbishop Raymond, received several benefices to support his scholarly work, and lived in Bologna for a time. He was born before 1 195/1200 and died by 1238. We know nothing of his origins, although he himself and others called him Scotus. He was denoted Magister in papal documents of the 1220s. Leonardo Fibonacci also called him Magister in dedicating the new edition of his Liber abacci to Michael in 1228. Michael also had something to do with translations from Arabic into Latin in Toledo, but we do not know which languages he knew, where he learned them or what precise role he played in the translations.Nevertheless, Michael was revered as one of the most learned men of his time, and was the astrologus Frederici Imperatoris Romanorum. He compiled numerous books at Emperor Frederick H's expense, but we know nothing else about his role at court. Ackermann tells us what we actually know, but raises many more questions than she answers. Her treatment will provide a solid foundation to develop in future research.Comprised of an introduction, a description of the twelve zodiacal signs, thirtysix additional constellations and the seven planets, the Liber de signis is one part of the Liber quattuor distinctionum (a book in four parts), the first of three books that collectively - along with a provocative prohemium - make up Michael's Liber introductorius. …