The recent publication of critical editions, translations, and studies of hildegard’s lesser-known works, the Physica and the Cause et cure, has brought renewed attention to these natural sciences and medical writings. Given the associations in Hildegard’s world and in her personal life between the scientific and the spiritual, between the cure of the body and the care of the soul, it should not be surprising that works on such topics are considered to be part of her oeuvre. indeed, the prevalent image of Hildegard today is that of a 12th-century renaissance woman with varied interests and expertise, and it has become common practice for collections of essays about the Benedictine nun to include medicine and healing as integral parts of her life experiences and her theology. - [Author]

Language: English

Locators: ISBN: 978-90-04-26071-9; DOI: 10.1163/9789004260719_012