The Art of Falconry: Being the De Arte Venandi cum Avibus of Frederick II of Hohenstaufen

by Frederick II of Hohenstaufen, Casey Albert Wood (Translation), F. Fyfe (Translation)

De Arte Venandi cum Avibus was written shortly before the year 1250 by Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, King of Sicily and Jerusalem, in whose court, with its remarkably cosmopolitan and highly intellectual life, may be found the real beginning of the Italian Renaissance. In spite of its title, it is far more than a dissertation on hunting. There is a lengthy introduction dealing with the anatomy of birds, an intensely interesting description of avian habits, and the excursions of migratory birds. Indeed, this ancient book has long been recognized as the first zoological treatise written in the critical spirit of modern science. The sumptuous volume now in hand is, however, the first translation into English of the complete text, originally divided into a prologue and size books. Together, the translators and editors, have at last made available this classic work and have adorned it with notes, comments, bibliographies, and glossary. They have produced a work of great value to zoologists―especially the ornithologist―and also to everyone interested in the history of science and in medieval art and letters.

Genres: Birds, History, Nonfiction, Classics, Nature

748 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1248

About the author

Frederick II (26 December 1194 – 13 December 1250), was one of the most powerful Holy Roman Emperors of the Middle Ages and head of the House of Hohenstaufen.

Reviews

[Rinin · Rating 2 out of 5]

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Careful with the translation, a lot of modern categories were used to describe things that Frederick II. didn't have words for.