Johannes Virdung

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Autographer ownership entry of Virdung in a book of the Mainz City Library

Johann (es) Virdung (born March 15, 1463 in Haßfurt ; † 1538/39) was a German astrologer and physician.

Life

It is believed that Virdung went to school with the astronomer Albert de Brudzewo . He began his studies in 1481 at the University of Leipzig , which he later interrupted (1484–1487) to study in Krakow. In 1487 he was received again in Leipzig as Johannes Johannis baccalaureus Cracoviensis . He completed his studies in Leipzig in 1491 as an artium magister Lypsensis . Decades later, in 1529, he received his doctorate in medicine in Heidelberg.

Nothing more is known about his living conditions than what he himself communicates in his works.

He was a celebrated astrologer of the 16th century. He held a public position at the so-called Musenhof of Philip, Elector Palatinate, in Heidelberg. He wrote various works, such as an explanation of the Apocalypse , a Practica from the Entchrist . He made scientific trips through Germany, France and Italy and was appointed to Denmark to the King Christian II. The Genesis interpreted. From 1529 he taught astronomy and medicine at the University of Heidelberg .

Virdung was in contact with Johannes Trithemius . The correspondence between the two is the main surviving source for the story about Doctor Faustus (Georg Zabel).

His table work Tabulae resolutae is one of his most important works. Such a work was necessary in order to be able to approximately calculate the true planetary position from averaged circular orbits and so-called epicycles under the conditions of the geocentric worldview at that time, which did not know the orbits of the planets around the sun . In his work, Virdung refers to the Alfonsinian tablets , Regiomontanus and Peurbach .

The great conjunction of 1524

Virdung was in a very violent time guided discussion regarding the expected impact of the big conjunction of 1524 in the fish involved. From this constellation, Johannes Stöffler and others concluded that there were large, torrential floods, which are still among the biggest false prognoses in the history of astrology .

Virdung spoke out against the flood scenario, but here he brought up the Entchrist ( Antichrist ) of the Apocalypse and predicted uprisings and a weakening of the Christian faith. This writing was also used in particular to fuel the fear of the Reformation movement around Martin Luther . So it is not surprising that it saw up to fifteen more editions in the following years. The peasant wars in the 1520s were seen as confirmation of Virdung's prognosis. He formulated:

"And the lowly people, the desolate sex will increase against the Kunig and the mighty men, to drive them out out of their own violence and to persecute them."

- Johannes Virdung : Quote from the Practica from 1522

Dates of birth

Apart from a horoscope, there is no known source that proves the date of birth. The year 1463 is generally given, but sometimes also 1465. The time of birth 08:32 on March 15, 1463 can be calculated from the horoscope with the help of the data about the planetary positions of the day.

Writing achievement

Virdung's achievements in the literary field were mostly in the area of ​​popular calendar making and astrology. He also published prognostics , which were often reprinted, which is why he acquired the right to reprint his prognoses from the emperor by filing a lawsuit .

Unusual natural events usually resulted in new works by Virdung, such as the comet of 1506, the solar eclipse in 1513 and the side moon phenomenon that was observed in Württemberg.

Works

  • Practica cracoviensis sup anno 1495 , with a letter of dedication to Elector Philipp von der Pfalz. Leipzig, Conrad Kacheloffen, 1494
  • Prognosticon per Anno domini 1497 . Leipzig, 1496
  • German Practica auff 1497 iare . Nuremberg 1496
  • Discussion and explanation (or interpretation and explanation) of the wonderful future terrifying thing that the star with the tail the man Comet nent to us, seen in our land in jar 1506 . Nuremberg 1506; no place 1506
  • Practica 1511 . Without place 1511, short fragment.
  • Prognosticon super Solis Eclips in Anno 1513 . Heidelberg 1513
  • Practica Teutsch about the newe terrifying before never seen coniunction or union of planets in jar 1524 in the future . Oppenheim 1523
  • About the wonderful sights that have been seen at Mon on the high Drach castle in the Wirttenberger Landt in 1514. Speyer, Jacob Schmyeden 1514; no place 1514
  • Exposition and meaning of the comet who was seen in August 1531. Speyer 1531
  • Interpretation of the Comet which has been seen do in Herbstmon and Weynmon, in this 1532 Jare . Speyer 1532
  • Nova medicinae method . Haguenau, Valentinus Kobian 1533
  • Tabulae resolutae de supputandis siderum motibus . Nuremberg, Johannes Petreius 1542
  • De cognoscendis et medendis morbis ex corporum coelestium positione . Venice, Damiano Zenari 1584
  • Practica of the Entchrist . Approx. 1510/1511

Brief comments on many issues in the Digital International Astrology Library .

literature

Web links

swell

  1. ↑ Probably March 15, 1463, cf. Johannes Virdung , AstroWiki
  2. ↑ Dagmar Drüll: Heidelberger Gelehrtenlexikon 1386-1651 , Springer, Heidelberg 2002, p. 292 f. books.google
  3. ↑ Limited digitization at Google Books
  4. ↑ a b Martin Hille: Providentia Dei, Empire and Church: Worldview and Mood Profile of Old Believer Chroniclers 1517–1618 , Volume 81 of the series of publications by the Historical Commission at the Bavarian Academy of Sciences , Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen 2009, p. 99 f. Preview of GoogleBooks
  5. ^ Letter from Trithemius to Virdung
  6. ^ Digitized version of the BSB Munich
  7. ^ Digitized version of the BSB Munich
  8. ^ Digitized version of the BSB Munich
  9. ^ Digitized version of the BSB Munich
  10. ^ Digitized version of the BSB Munich
  11. ^ Digitized version of the BSB Munich
  12. ^ Digitized version of the BSB Munich
  13. ^ Digitized version of the BSB Munich
  14. ^ Digitized version of the BSB Munich
  15. ^ Digitized version of the BSB Munich
  16. ^ Digitized version of the BSB Munich
  17. ^ Digitized version of the BSB Munich
  18. ^ Digitized version of the BSB Munich
  19. ^ Digitized version of the BSB Munich
  20. ^ Digital International Astrology Library
personal data
SURNAME Virdung, Johannes
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Virdung, Johann
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German-speaking astrologer and writer
DATE OF BIRTH March 15, 1463
PLACE OF BIRTH Hassfurt , Bavaria
DATE OF DEATH 1538 or 1539