L’auctoritas de Thomas de Cantimpré en matière ichtyologique (Vincent de Beauvais, Albert le Grand, l’Hortus sanitatis)

Abstract

One knows how important has been Aristotle’s rediscovering in science’s construction from XIIIth to XVth century. Talking about zoology, in particular, Aristotle’s History of animals, translated by Michael Scot, deeply influenced Thomas Cantimpratensis’ work and method. Thomas reorganized Aristotle’s knowledge and passed it down to Albertus Magnus and Vincentius Bellovacensis, who also rearranged it in different manners. At least, Hortussanitatis’ author, inspired from both of these scholars, relayed Aristotle’s science about animals. Many examples belonging to ichthyology show how this transmission led to several mistakes, repeated until early Renaissance.

Keywords

• Aristotle
• Thomas Cantimpratensis
• Albertus Magnus
• Vincentius Bellovacensis
• Hortus sanitatis
• ichthyology