1 HERMES the EGYPTIAN 2 MARIA the JEWESS Also known as Mary the Prophetess; an early alchemist credited with inventing the bain-marie (water bath). 3 DEMOCRITUS the GREEK 4 MORIENUS the ROMAN 5 AVICENNA the ARAB 6 ALBERTUS MAGNUS the GERMAN A famous medieval scholar and theologian. 7 ARNOLD OF VILLANOVA the FRENCHMAN 8 THOMAS AQUINAS the ITALIAN 9 RAYMOND LULLY the SPANIARD 10 ROGER BACON the ENGLISHMAN 11 MELCHIOR OF HERMANNSTADT the HUNGARIAN 12 THE ANONYMOUS SARMATIAN A reference to a figure from the Sarmatian lands, likely Poland or Russia.

SYMBOLS OF THE GOLDEN

TABLE OF THE TWELVE

NATIONS.

THAT IS,

THE HERMAEA, OR THE FESTIVALS OF MERCURY

celebrated by twelve selected heroes, EQUAL in the use,

wisdom, and authority of the Chymical art, to the

purpose of confounding and disarming that "Braggart Soldier"

original: "Pyrgopolynicen", a character from Roman comedy used here to mock a boastful opponent of alchemy. or Adversary who for so many years

has been boasting; bringing injury to the maiden

CHEMISTRY

with arguments as faulty as they are sharp in their insults,

and to restore to their proper honor and fame the Practitioners

who have served her best,

Wherein both the continuity of the art and its invincible truth are demonstrated by 36 reasons,

and by experience and more than three hundred books by various authors,

A work most useful, not only for Chemistry, but for all others most eager for

knowledge of Antiquity and of things most worthy to be known,

explained and delivered in 12 books, with copper-engraved figures

added throughout,

BY THE AUTHOR

MICHAEL MAIER, COUNT

of the Imperial Consistory, Noble, Exempt, Doctor of

Medicine, Count Palatine, formerly of the Imperial Court.

FRANKFURT

Printed by Antonius Hummius, at the expense of Lucas

Jennis. 1617.