Medical knowledge in thirteenth-century preaching: the sermons of Luca da Bitonto

Metaphors of physical health and illness occurred frequently in medieval exegesis, with diseased bodies providing figurative language that could be applied to sin its effects upon the soul. The increasing availability newly translated medical learning Europe thirteenth century augmented enriched this discourse innovative ways. present paper offers a close analysis systematic use sophisticated knowledge an unpublished collection model sermons, written c.1240 by Franciscan preacher Luca da Bitonto. Produced at least 50 years earlier than comparable sermons previously shown contain advanced metaphor, Luca’s offer new evidence for intellectual theological contexts which thirteenth-century preachers sought out detailed accurate natural world, ways was disseminated incorporated into religious discourse.