Meteorology for Courtiers and Ladies: Vernacular Aristotelianism in Renaissance Italy

Sixteenth-century Italian meteorological treatises bridged university-taught Aristotelian natural philosophy to the needs of courtly society. These treatises appealed to the desire for discussions of awe-inducing subjects and practical knowledge among courtiers. Both non-academic elites and university professors wrote vernacular Italian trea- tises and dialogues based on Aristotelian texts and concepts for a courtly audience that included women. Courtiers and professors alike considered Aristotelian natural philosophy, meteorology in particular, to be vibrant and applicable to both the practical and entertainment needs of courts.