[Handwritten documents of 'Antidotarius magnus']

Area of Science:

• Medieval pharmacology
• History of medicine
• Manuscript studies

Background:

• The Antidotarius magnus, compiled around 1080 by Archbishop Alphanus of Salerno, details 1073 pharmacological healing methods.
• This significant medieval pharmacopoeia has been the subject of manuscript discovery and analysis.

Discussion:

• Thirteen Latin manuscripts of the Antidotarius magnus were located across various European libraries.
• Notable manuscript repositories include Basel, Bern, Cambridge, Erfurt, Florence, London, Oxford, Paris, and Parma.
• The destruction of MS Taurin.I.VI.24 in 1904 is noted, despite its continued cataloging.

Key Insights:

• MS Palat.lat.747, housed in the National Library of Florence and dated to 1153, is considered the most significant manuscript.
• This manuscript (MS Palat.lat.747) appears to closely resemble the original archetype.
• The discovery and analysis of these manuscripts are crucial for understanding medieval pharmaceutical practices.

Outlook:

• A critical edition of the Antidotarius magnus is currently being prepared.
• The edition will be based on the analysis of the oldest and most representative manuscripts found.
• This work aims to provide a definitive scholarly resource on this historical pharmacopoeia.