Aristotle, Italy, late-thirteenth century

This compilation of three Aristotelian texts includes Latin translations by William of Moerbeke (ca. 1215-ca. 1286), one of the most productive and influential translators of Greek into Latin of his day. The manuscript is representative of the revival and popularity of Aristotle during this period, when his texts were the staples of a university education. Latin translations made Aristotle accessible to a general educated audience, who were much more likely to read Latin than the original Greek. The exhibited page shows the end of the Ethics on the left and the beginning of the Economics on the right.

Parchment, 77 folios, 307 x 218 (183 x 125) mm, 2 columns, 35 to 40 lines, in Latin, written in Gothic script.