Latin Poetry. Translated by J. Gardner.

Few writers have embodied the ideal of the Renaissance Man more successfully than Giralomo Fracastoro (1476/78-1553). One of the most eminent physicians of his age, indeed, a founder of modern epidemiology, Fracastoro wrote prose works on astronomy and mathematics, philosphy, psychology, and the silting up of the lagoon of Venice. And yet, in an age that abounded in poets who could write Latin verse with style and imagination, few were as widely or as justly admired as he was in that domain. These twin gifts for science and poetry were united in Fracastoro`s best-known work, the three books of the `Syphilis`. (From the Introduction, p.9). Also included in this volume are a short Biblical epic, the `Joseph`, and the `Carmina`, a collection of shorter poetry in various metres. This volume presents an updated edition of all the Latin texts, two previously unpublished short poems, and the first complete translation into English of Fracastoro`s Latin poetry.