PREFACE

...ity original: "authoritate." This completes the sentence from the previous page regarding the consistency and authority of alchemical writers., which others are unable to simulate. This art provides tests for true gold and silver that are so certain and effective that no fraud, however clever or hidden, can be used without being detected and utterly destroyed. This is a matter of great importance to the State. Since authors of this kind enrich philosophy and expose counterfeiters who are harmful to the public, they are worthy of study even if the art itself were non-existent.

I see no reason, however, why we should believe it is not true. It is asserted as probable by men highly practiced in Philosophy. Furthermore, certain craftsmen—without any obvious reason for deceit—have confirmed through all things sacred, even in published books, that they have discovered the art. Their inner feelings bear witness to them: a happiness and joy at the discovery that bursts forth so vehemently that it is not credible for such a display to be faked by any art.

History also provides testimony. Suidas The Suda, or Suidas, is a massive 10th-century Byzantine Greek encyclopedia of the ancient Mediterranean world., an author who should not be dismissed, writes that the Egyptians relied on the wealth gained from this art to attempt a revolution, but they were suppressed by Diocletian Diocletian was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 284 to 305 AD. He is known for reorganizing the Empire and for his persecution of Christians.. I will recount his words here:

Chemistry original: "χημεία" (chemeia). In this context, it specifically refers to alchemy or the art of transmutation. is the preparation of gold and silver. Diocletian sought out and burned the books concerning this art because the Egyptians had revolted against him. He treated them harshly and with much bloodshed. At that time, he also searched for and burned the books written by the ancients about the chemistry of gold and silver. He did this so that the Egyptians would no longer gain wealth from that art, and so they would not rebel against the Romans in the future by trusting in their abundance of money. original Greek: "χημεία ἡ τοῦ χρυσοῦ καὶ ἀργύρου κατασκευή, ἧς τὰ βιβλία διερευνησάμενος ὁ διοκλητιανός ἔκαυσε... [to the end of the Greek passage]". The author then provides a Latin translation of this Greek text, which has been rendered here into English.

These words do not differ from other historians who describe Diocletian. Furthermore, the ancient Poets recorded not only that this art existed, but also how it should be practiced. They did this through charming fables, most perfectly, but...