Aristotle for artisans, engineers and architects

The Pseudo-Aristotelian Mechanical Problems is the oldest treatise on mechanics that has survived from the antiquity. It had a pivotal role in the development of early-modern physics, especially during the Scientific Revolution when it gained a new momentum with a conspicuous number of Latin commentaries and translations. Besides the Latin theoretical production, various Italian vernacular commentaries, expositions and translations were produced for very practical purposes. Works such those of Oreste Biringucci, Antonio Guarino, Nicolo Tartaglia and Giuseppe Moletti were addressed primarily to engineers, architects and bombardiers. The paper examines the intended public of these writings and their impact on the new scientific mentality.

The Pseudo-Aristotelian Mechanical Problems is the oldest treatise on mechanics that has survived from the antiquity. It had a pivotal role in the development of early-modern physics, especially during the Scientific Revolution when it gained a new momentum with a conspicuous number of Latin commentaries and translations. Besides the Latin theoretical production, various Italian vernacular commentaries, expositions and translations were produced for very practical purposes. Works such those of Oreste Biringucci, Antonio Guarino, Nicolò Tartaglia and Giuseppe Moletti were addressed primarily to engineers, architects and bombardiers. The paper examines the intended public of these writings and their impact on the new scientific mentality.