Sylvia Rose
Kerotakis: Ancient Alchemical Equipment
The kerotakis (Greek: κυροτακίς) is an ancient alchemical apparatus of multiple purposes, primarily heating substances and collecting...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 36 min read
Cleopatra the Divine & the Book of Comarius
Cleopatra the alchemist is active in Alexandria, Egypt c. 300 AD. She may be contemporary to Zosimos , who mentions her in his writings....
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 299 min read
Seven Precious Stones of the Ancient World
Precious stones are made by economic supply and demand. First, however, they're formed by fire and pressure for millions of years. Prized...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 247 min read
Acetic Acid: Vinegar 🜊 in Ancient Alchemy
Acetic acid is a compound with many uses. With chemical formula CH₃COOH, this colorless liquid has a sharp pungent smell and sour taste....
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 224 min read
Alchemy & Prague: Countess Barbara von Zweibrücken-Neuburg
Barbara von Zweibrücken-Neuburg (1559 - 1618) is described as a striking personality. Intelligent, charismatic and formidable of will,...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 204 min read
Earth of Chios: Ancient Alchemy, Cosmetics, & Medicine
Earth of Chios is a white to gray powdery mineral soil or fine grained clay found on the Greek island of Chios. Earth of Chios or Chian...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 163 min read
The Alembic: Essential Alchemy Equipment
The alembic is an essential alchemical tool. It functions like a retort, which in lead, iron or copper form has been used through...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 143 min read
Ancient Greek Alchemy: ios and iosis
Iosis and ios relate to the final stage of the the alchemical process, or rubedo in Latin. It can be called the reddening or purpling....
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 125 min read
Living Metals & Genders in Ancient Alchemy
The Alexandrian alchemists, as philosophers of nature steeped in Greco-Egyptian thinking, define the properties of metals as living...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 62 min read
Democritus: Laughing Philosopher Ahead of His Time
In ancient philosophical thought, Democritus is a visionary whose ideas continue to illuminate minds. Born in 460 BCE in Abdera, Greece,...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 63 min read
Ancient Traders & Buyers: Art of Testing Metals
Testing metals is a precise and varied process in the ancient world. It's a crucial skill in ensuring fair trade and preventing fraud....
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 64 min read
Metal Smelting & Metallurgy in the Ancient World
Smelting, the art of extracting metal from its ore through heating and extraction, has been a part of human civilization since c. 6000...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 55 min read
Zosimos of Panopolis: Father of Alchemy
Zosimos of Panopolis (c. 300 AD) is a pivotal figure in the history of alchemy . Born in Panopolis, ancient Egypt, Zosimos lives in the...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 33 min read
Leap to Flames: Why Did Empedocles Jump into Mount Etna?
The ancient Greek philosopher Empedocles of Sicily is an important figure in science and metaphysics. Based on Plato's work he...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 315 min read
Natural Purple Dyes: Ancient & Medieval
Dyers, coloring professionals, metal workers and gemologists seek vibrant colors and tones since early civilization. The first use of...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 313 min read
Difference Between Astrology & Astronomy in the Ancient World
Astrology and astronomy blur boundaries in the ancient world. Similar at a glance, the two serve different needs in society and progress....
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 303 min read
Ancient Greek Discovery & Use of Mercury
The ancient Greeks are celebrated for their contributions to various fields such as philosophy, mathematics, and medicine. Among their...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 285 min read
Roman Empire: Situation 300 AD
In 300 AD, the Roman Empire is falling apart. Under the rule of Emperor Diocletian, who wants to restore the grandeur of Rome, the empire...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 285 min read
Asphodel: Ancient Dye & Medicine Plants
Among the showy flowering plants, perennial Asphodelus is an elegant and adaptable beauty. A genus of the Asphodelaceae or aloe family,...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 277 min read
Renaissance Wars: Venice vs. Ottoman
The Ottoman-Venetian Wars are seven major conflicts between the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Venice from the late 14th to the 18th...
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