Encyclopedia

Equinoctial shadow

The shadow cast by a gnomon at noon on the day of the equinox, used in ancient and medieval astronomy to determine latitude and the obliquity of the ecliptic. It was a fundamental measurement in the construction of sundials and astronomical tables.

10 books · 220 mentions

Epirus

A geographical and historical region of southeastern Europe, frequently mentioned in classical history and Renaissance humanist literature.

10 books · 181 mentions

Epiglottis

10 books · 175 mentions

Epicureanism

A system of philosophy based on the teachings of Epicurus, emphasizing atomism and the pursuit of mental tranquility through the avoidance of pain and fear.

10 books · 147 mentions

Equality

10 books · 146 mentions

Epidaurus

An ancient Greek city famous for the Sanctuary of Asclepius, the god of healing, which served as a major center for medicinal and spiritual practices. In early modern medical texts, it is often cited as a foundational site for the Hermetic and ancient traditions of healing.

10 books · 93 mentions

Eccentric Circle

9 books · 252 mentions

Empyrean Heaven

9 books · 156 mentions

Erfurt

A German city that served as a major intellectual center during the Renaissance and Reformation, home to the university where Martin Luther studied.

9 books · 146 mentions

Equity

A principle of justice or fairness that supplements or overrides statutory law when it is too rigid for a particular case, often associated with the Greek 'epieikeia'.

9 books · 132 mentions

Equinox

The two annual moments when the sun crosses the celestial equator, resulting in equal day and night, serving as a fundamental reference for astronomical and liturgical calendars.

9 books · 130 mentions

Epicycles

Geometric constructs in Ptolemaic astronomy used to explain the retrograde motion of planets, which remained central to celestial modeling until the Copernican revolution.

9 books · 128 mentions

Etna

An active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily, frequently cited in classical and alchemical literature as a site of subterranean fire and mythological activity.

9 books · 125 mentions

Ennius

An early Roman poet and writer often called the father of Roman poetry, whose works were frequently cited by Renaissance humanists for their linguistic and historical value.

9 books · 121 mentions

Esther

The Jewish queen of the Persian king Ahasuerus, celebrated in the Book of Esther for saving her people from genocide, often cited in theological and moral treatises.

9 books · 121 mentions

Exorcism

The religious or spiritual practice of evicting demons or other spiritual entities from a person or place believed to be possessed. In early modern Europe, it was a subject of intense theological debate and documented in various grimoires and manuals.

9 books · 115 mentions

Ethics

The branch of philosophy concerned with moral principles and conduct. During the Renaissance, it was often studied through the synthesis of Aristotelian virtue ethics and Neoplatonic moral ascent.

9 books · 111 mentions

Equilateral Triangle

9 books · 110 mentions

Enthusiasm

Originally meaning 'divine possession,' this term was used in the 17th and 18th centuries to describe (often pejoratively) claims of direct private revelation or religious ecstasy.

8 books · 225 mentions

Ellipse

A geometric curve defined as the locus of points where the sum of distances to two foci is constant, central to Kepler's laws of planetary motion.

8 books · 191 mentions

Eastern hemisphere

8 books · 184 mentions

Electuary

A medicinal preparation consisting of a powdered drug mixed with honey or syrup, commonly used in medieval and early modern pharmacy to administer bitter substances.

8 books · 179 mentions

Exaltation (Ucha)

An astrological state where a planet reaches its maximum strength and influence while positioned in a specific degree of a zodiac sign.

8 books · 150 mentions

Equation of Time

8 books · 126 mentions

Epimenides

A semi-mythical 6th-century BC Greek seer and philosopher-poet from Crete, often associated with the Epimenides paradox and credited with purifying Athens. He is frequently cited in early modern works for his legendary long sleep and his status as a divine man.

8 books · 124 mentions

Epicharmus

A Greek philosopher and dramatist often associated with the Pythagorean school, cited by Plato and later Neoplatonists for his ethical and metaphysical insights.

8 books · 117 mentions

Euboea

8 books · 116 mentions

Emmaus

8 books · 114 mentions

Essence (Ousia)

8 books · 92 mentions

Elixir of Life

8 books · 92 mentions

E. Capps

An American classical scholar and editor who served as a founding editor of the Loeb Classical Library.

8 books · 80 mentions

Elea

8 books · 76 mentions

Exemplary virtues

8 books · 68 mentions

Eleazar

A biblical name referring to several figures, most notably the son of Aaron and High Priest, often cited in Kabbalistic and theological commentaries.

7 books · 181 mentions

Extension

7 books · 173 mentions

Eurydice

A figure from Greek mythology whose attempted rescue from the underworld by Orpheus is a frequent allegory in Renaissance literature and esoteric thought.

7 books · 166 mentions

Equinoctial

7 books · 134 mentions

Equinoctial Circle

7 books · 133 mentions

Etruria

An ancient region in central Italy inhabited by the Etruscans, frequently cited by Renaissance humanists and occultists for its supposed role as a source of ancient wisdom and divination. It was often idealized as a precursor to Roman civilization and a repository of 'prisca theologia.'

7 books · 119 mentions

Eber

7 books · 107 mentions

Emperor Claudius

7 books · 105 mentions

Equinoctial hours

7 books · 98 mentions

Ethereal region

7 books · 97 mentions

Erasmus of Rotterdam

A preeminent Dutch humanist and theologian of the Northern Renaissance who sought to reform the Church through scholarship. His critical editions of the New Testament exerted a profound influence on European intellectual life.

7 books · 93 mentions

Eloquence

The art of persuasive and refined speech, considered a core pillar of the Renaissance humanistic curriculum and essential for the public expression of wisdom.

7 books · 90 mentions

Eucharist

A central Christian sacrament commemorating the Last Supper, which became a focal point of intense theological debate regarding transubstantiation and spiritual presence during the Reformation.

7 books · 90 mentions

Eunomius

A 4th-century bishop of Cyzicus and a leading figure of the Anomoean sect of Arianism, who argued that the Son was of a different substance than the Father. His radical theological positions were a major focus of refutation by the Cappadocian Fathers.

7 books · 86 mentions

Earth's surface

7 books · 85 mentions

Endymion

7 books · 83 mentions

Eudoxus of Cnidus

A Greek astronomer and mathematician who proposed a model of homocentric spheres to explain planetary motion. His work was influential in the development of ancient cosmology and was frequently cited by Renaissance natural philosophers.

7 books · 83 mentions

Essence (Essentia)

7 books · 60 mentions

Eternity (Aeternitas)

7 books · 54 mentions

Ethereal Body

7 books · 51 mentions

Eternity of the World

7 books · 50 mentions

Eirenaeus Philalethes

6 books · 240 mentions

Ethereal heaven

6 books · 140 mentions

Echo

6 books · 118 mentions

Emperor Rudolf II

6 books · 118 mentions