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Anonymous (traditionally attributed to Anton Joseph Kirchweger)

The Golden Chain of Homer

A New Translation from the German Edition of 1723

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The Golden Chain of Homer9 the Anatomy of Minerals

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Facing Pages · Branch 429 of 504

9 the Anatomy of Minerals

German & Latin

1723 pp 358–359

Derowegen so theilen wir Nachgesetztes auf das vorgesetzte rubeum vel album menstruum den [Vitriol] & [Alaun], als in die rothe und weisse mineras metallicas ♄, ♃, ♂, ☿, ♀, ☽, und dann in die mineras marcasiticas, als da ist [Antimonium], Wißmuth, Spiauter und alle andere marcasitae, ☉, ☽, ♂, ♀, ♄, ♃, ☿. Denn in die fixe Sulphura embryonata, als da ist Blutstein, Schmirgel, Bolus, Adelstein, Talck, Magnet, Blenden, Federweiß, Galmey, Tutia &c. Hernach in Sulphura embryonata volatilia, als da sind [Antimonium], [Bismuthum], [Arsenic], Vitriol-Schwefel-Kieß, und alle flüchtige marcasiten, und Kieß-Wercke. Diese 4. species wollen wir in genere solviren, und Quint-Essenz perficiren lehren. Allein mercke dieses, so du wilt solviren die rothen astra in Vitriol-menstruo, u. die weissen in dem alaunischen menstruo: Derohalben nimm ein Ertz, welches du wilt, laß es glüen, und so es glüet, bestreue es mit [Sulphur] comm. ana, rühre es mit einem eisern Draht wohl durcheinander, bis der Schwefel ausgebrannt, denn so ist die minera praepariret, mit dem menstruo zu solviren. Besser aber thut der, so die mineram aus oder von dem Berge nimmt, es sey welche es wolle, poche es zart und klein, und wasche es auf der Saren den Berg oder Stein von dem Ertze, wie man pflegt die Ertze zu Schlich zu ziehen, alsdenn solches, es sey leicht oder hart-flüssig, detoniret, hernach glüen lassen, und mit Schwefel verzündet, so ists auch praepariret.

1723 pp 358–359

The Golden Chain of Homer: 9 the Anatomy of Minerals

1723 pp 358–359

We therefore divide what follows, for the red or white menstruum already given, vitriol and alum, into red and white metallic ores: lead, tin, iron, mercury, copper, and silver; then marcasitic ores, including antimony, bismuth, spelter, and all other marcasites, gold, silver, iron, copper, lead, tin, and mercury; then fixed embryonated sulphurs, such as haematite, emery, bole, precious stone, talc, lodestone, blendes, feather-white, calamine, tutty, and so forth; and lastly volatile embryonated sulphurs: antimony, bismuth, arsenic, vitriolic sulphur pyrites, and all volatile marcasites and pyritic ores. We shall teach how to dissolve these four classes in general and perfect their quintessence. But observe that the red stars are to be dissolved in the vitriol menstruum, the white in the aluminous menstruum. Take whichever ore you wish, make it incandescent, and while it glows sprinkle it with an equal amount of common sulphur. Stir thoroughly with an iron wire until the sulphur has burned away; the ore is then prepared for dissolution in the menstruum. Better still, take any ore directly from the mountain, pound it fine, and wash the gangue or stone from it on the washing board, as is customary in dressing ores into concentrate. Then, whether easily or difficultly fusible, detonate it, afterward make it incandescent and ignite it with sulphur: it too is prepared.

1723 pp 358–359

About This Reading Edition

The two-book alchemical work of 1723 in German with a new English translation, 399 notes, eight historical diagrams, chapter outlines, keyword essays, a glossary, bibliography, subject index, and 400 discussion questions.

Discussion Questions

Historical Text and Translation

Anonymous, Aurea Catena Homeri. Frankfurt and Leipzig: Johann Georg Böhme, 1723. Traditionally attributed to Anton Joseph Kirchweger; the attribution remains uncertain. Historical diagrams from the Stiftung der Werke von C. G. Jung copy digitized by e-rara.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

Rights

The supplied edition identifies the 1723 German source and historical diagrams as public-domain material. Its new English translation and editorial apparatus are published with the site owner’s authorization. The complete original files are retained unchanged.