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De balneis Puteolanis facts for kids

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De Balneis Puteolanis MS 1474 Biblioteca Angelica de Rome 3
An old picture from De balneis Puteolanis – a book from the late 1200s.

The book De balneis Puteolanis means "On the baths of Pozzuoli." It is an old Latin poem from the Middle Ages. This poem describes the warm, healing waters of Pozzuoli. Pozzuoli is a town in the Campi Flegrei area of Campania, Italy. The poem is also known as De balneis terrae laboris.

A Poem About Healing Waters

This special poem has 35 short sections called epigrams. It was likely written around the year 1197. The poem was dedicated to the emperor, probably Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor. The author wrote down many details about over 30 different hot springs. These springs were all found in the Campi Flegrei area. The poem also explained the healing effects of their waters.

Who Wrote This Book?

Most experts believe that Peter of Eboli (also known as Petrus de Ebulo) wrote De balneis Puteolanis. They are quite sure about this. However, some historians think a Sicilian doctor named Alcadino di Siracusa might have written it instead.

Why Was This Book Important?

De balneis Puteolanis was very popular when it was written. Many copies of the book were made by hand. These old handwritten books are called manuscripts. Many of these manuscripts have beautiful pictures. These pictures show how people used to bathe in medieval times. The poem was also translated into other languages. It was printed 12 times between 1457 and 1607.

What Happened to the Baths?

Many of the hot springs described in the poem were destroyed. This happened during a big volcanic eruption in 1538. This eruption changed the land around Campi Flegrei forever. It also created a new mountain called Monte Nuovo.

See also

  • Regimen sanitatis Salernitanum

Gallery

  • Petrus de Ebulo - Balneum Tripergulae

    Manuscript, Rome, Codex Angelico Ms. 1474.

  • Petrus de Ebulo - De balneis (BnF, Latin 8161, f°11r)

    Manuscript, Paris, BnF, Latin 8161, F 11r.

  • Petrus de Ebulo - De balneis (Valence, Biblioteca Històrica, MS. 838 f°4v)

    Manuscript, Valencia, MS. 838 F 4v.

  • Petrus de Ebulo - De balneis - Carmen elegiacum de balneis Puteolanis (BnF, fr 1313 f° 34r)

    Manuscript, BnF français 1313 F 34r

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