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Vir sapiens dominabitur astris: astrological knowledge and practices in the Portuguese medieval court (king João I to king Afonso V)
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Autores
Orientador(es)
Resumo(s)
The present study addresses the practice of astrology and its cultural repercussions in
the 14th and 15th centuries’ Portuguese court.
The research is based in the comparative study of three sets of sources: 1) the
astrology books from the royal libraries, which reveal the dominant concepts of astrology; 2)
the writings of kings João I and Duarte, and prince Pedro, as examples of the practical
application of these concepts; 3) the royal chronicles of Fernão Lopes, Gomes Eanes de
Zurara and Rui de Pina, as examples of its presence in political discourse. The astrological
references occur in three main contexts: the validation of power, the explanation of manners
and the debate about determinism-versus-free will. The latter stands as the main fracturing
topic in medieval astrology. In any case, the validity of astrology by itself was never in
question; the debate revolved only around its limits and its legitimacy in face of Christian
faith.
Astrology was seen as a sophisticated art, practiced by learned men. Its foundation
was the scientific understanding of the natural laws and its practitioners tried to demarcate
themselves from common divination and superstition.
Due to its pervasiveness in this period, it can be concluded that astrology is an
essential factor for the understanding of Portuguese medieval life. The study of the
astrological practice, from the perspective of the History of Culture and Mentalities, offers
new insights to the understanding of the medieval period.
Descrição
Dissertação apresentada para cumprimento dos requisitos necessários à obtenção do grau
de Mestre em História Medieval
Palavras-chave
medieval history medieval astrology medieval culture medieval society 14th century 15th century intercultural exchanges interreligious exchanges
Contexto Educativo
Citação
Editora
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa