The Trotula

An English Translation of the Medieval Compendium of Women's Medicine

By University of Pennsylvania Press | Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press, Inc.

About the book

The Trotula was the most influential compendium of women's medicine in medieval Europe. Scholarly debate has long focused on the traditional attribution of the work to the mysterious Trotula, said to have been the first female professor of medicine in eleventh- or twelfth-century Salerno, just south of Naples, then the leading center of medical learning in Europe. Yet as Monica H. Green reveals in her introduction to the first English translation ever based upon a medieval form of the text, the Trotula is not a single treatise but an ensemble of three independent works, each by a different author. To varying degrees, these three works reflect the synthesis of indigenous practices of southern Italians with the new theories, practices, and medicinal substances coming out of the Arabic world.

Green here presents a complete English translation of the so-called standardized Trotula ensemble, a composite form of the texts that was produced in the midthirteenth century and circulated widely in learned circles. The work is now accessible to a broad audience of readers interested in medieval history, women's studies, and premodern systems of medical thought and practice.

Editions of The Trotula

Paperback
ISBN 9780812218084
PDF
ISBN 9780812202083

Read an Excerpt

The Trotula was the most influential compendium of women's medicine in medieval Europe. Scholarly debate has long focused on the traditional attribution of the work to the mysterious Trotula, said to have been the first female professor of medicine in eleventh- or twelfth-century Salerno, just south of Naples, then the leading center of medical learning in Europe. Yet as Monica H. Green reveals in her introduction to the first English translation ever based upon a medieval form of the text, the Trotula is not a single treatise but an ensemble of three independent works, each by a different author. To varying degrees, these three works reflect the synthesis of indigenous practices of southern Italians with the new theories, practices, and medicinal substances coming out of the Arabic world.

Green here presents a complete English translation of the so-called standardized Trotula ensemble, a composite form of the texts that was produced in the midthirteenth century and circulated widely in learned circles. The work is now accessible to a broad audience of readers interested in medieval history, women's studies, and premodern systems of medical thought and practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Trotula about?

The Trotula was the most influential compendium of women's medicine in medieval Europe. Scholarly debate has long focused on the traditional attribution of the work to the mysterious Trotula, said to have been the first female professor of medicine in eleventh- or twelfth-century Salerno, just south of Naples, then the leading center of medical learning in Europe. Yet as Monica H. Green reveals in her introduction to the first English translation ever based upon a medieval form of the text, the Trotula is not a single treatise but an ensemble of three independent works, each by a different author. To varying degrees, these three works reflect the synthesis of indigenous practices of southern Italians with the new theories, practices, and medicinal substances coming out of the Arabic world.

Green here presents a complete English translation of the so-called standardized Trotula ensemble, a composite form of the texts that was produced in the midthirteenth century and circulated widely in learned circles. The work is now accessible to a broad audience of readers interested in medieval history, women's studies, and premodern systems of medical thought and practice.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Trotula?

History and Archaeology

Where can I read a sample of The Trotula?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780812218084

How long is The Trotula and how many pages does it have?

The Trotula has 248 page(s)

Is The Trotula part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?

Yes it is a part of series The Middle Ages Series

Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Trotula?

University of Pennsylvania Press

Who is the Publisher of the book The Trotula?

University of Pennsylvania Press, Inc.

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

The Trotula is available as paperback(ISBN 9780812218084) and pdf(ISBN 9780812202083)

Where can I buy The Trotula online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy The Trotula from below

Where can I buy The Trotula?