View source for Dedication, 1580-01-05, Thomas Erastus to Karl I., Pfalzgraf bei Rhein, Herzog von Pfalz-Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld

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| Author=Thomas Erastus
| Anon=
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| Recipient=Karl I., Pfalzgraf bei Rhein, Herzog von Pfalz-Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld
| Type=Dedication
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| Date=1580-01-05
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| Place=0
| PlacePresumed=Heidelberg
| Pages=2
| Language=lat
| Editor=Julian Paulus
| SourceAuthor=Thomas Erastus
| SourceTitle=Theses de pinguedinis in animalibus generatione et concretione
| SourceEditor=
| SourcePlace=Heidelberg: Jacob Müller 
| SourceDate=1580
| SourceBP=BP.Erastus.1580-04
| SourceSig=A2r–A2v
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| ReprintedIn=BP.Erastus.1595-01
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| AbstractGPT=Erastus dedicates his work to the Prince, highlighting a recent exposition he made on a chapter from Galen's book. Erastus defended Galen against criticisms from Giovanni Argenterio, emphasizing the importance of the discussed topic for both medical students and those studying physiology. He believes the subject is worthy of public debate and recalls similar debates by renowned scholars like Laurent Joubert. Erastus expresses joy as Lord Charles is designated as the Rector, the highest authority in their Republic, believing this appointment will bring glory to the liberal arts and benefit the Academy. 
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{{Pagemark|sig|A2r}} {{MarkupUppercase|Illustrissimo Princi<i>pi, Domino Carolo, Comiti Palatino Rheni, Duci Bavari&aelig;, Comiti|u=v}} Veldenti&aelig; & Spanhemij, &c. Academi&aelig; Heydelbergensis Rectori, &c. Domino suo Clementißimo.</i>

{{MarkupInitial|Cum nuper illustris|Lang=lat|Allcaps=1}}sime Princeps & Magnifice Domine Rector, auditoribus meis caput quinquagesimum tertium libri Galeni{{Index|Name|Galenus}}, quem τέχνην ἰατρικὴν inscripsit, exponerem, eum{{EditAbbr|´que}} à Iohanne Argenterio{{Index|Name|Giovanni Argenterio}}, Italo, viro, pr&aelig;clarè quidem docto, sed ad mordendum alios nimis promto, iniustè hoc nomine reprehendi animaduerterem, quasi non satis consentaneè Natur&aelig; de pinguedinis in animalibus concretione disseruisset, non debui eum aduersus iniustam accusationem non defendere. In huius rei examine versanti non obscurè patuit, quam h&aelig;c disputatio latè pateat, quam{{EditAbbr|´que}} vtilis futura sit accuratior eius explicatio, non solum Medicin&aelig; Candidatis, verùm etiam totius Physiologi&aelig; studiosis. Hac de causa dignam esse iudicaui, qu&aelig; publicè desceptetur: cum pr&aelig;sertim tempus, quo nos leges iuuentutem in ijs rebus exercere disputando iubent, quas quouis tempore profitemur iuam appropinquaret. In sententia me confirmabat, quod eandem Camarinam, à Domino Laurentio Iouberto{{Index|Name|Laurent Joubert}} Gallo, excellente doctrina clarissimo Medico (Quem magis vt ingenium exerceret, quàm quod seriò ita sentiret, contra Veterum sententiam disputauisse reor) pluribus motam recordarer. Dum igitur totam hanc {{Pagemark|sig|A2v}} tractationem Thesibus complecti conor, ecce singulari Dei opt[imi] Max[imi] prouidentia votis omnium, Rector, id est, summus Reipub[licae] nostr&aelig; Magistratus & Gubernator auspicatò designaris. Quantum ex eo dignitatis bonis artibus accesserit nihil attinet hic dicere.

Quantum ad Academiam emolumenti rediturum sit, prudentes iam prospiciunt, reliqui suo tempore cognituri sunt. Nisi me vehementer spes ac vota mea omnia fallunt, erit hic Magistratus non solum tu&aelig; Cels[itudinis] gloriosus, verum etiam Academi&aelig; fructuosus. Quare cum & Cels[itudinis] tu&aelig; hanc dignitatem (quid enim bonorum artium studio magis ornat Principes bonos & pios?) & Academi&aelig; suam felicitatem gratularer, nec alia se nunc ratio offerret, animum meum declarandi, hasce pagellas sub Cels[itudinis] tu&aelig; nomine publicare volui. Eas tu Princeps Illustriss[ime] Rector{{EditAbbr|´que}} Magnifice, qua es prudentia humanitate{{EditAbbr|´que}} pr&aelig;ditus, non aspernaberis, scio: si non tàm ad earum molem, quàm officium respexeris. Nam vt summum tibi in Academia honorem gratule{{EditAbbr|n}}tur, & vice stren&aelig; annum faustissimum precentur, deni{{EditAbbr|´que}} animi mei erga tuam Cels[itudinem] obseruantiam testificentur, ad te veniunt. Quanqua{{EditAbbr|m}} si tibi res, qu&aelig; iin eis continentur & explicantur, expendere libeat, non in Medicina solum, verum etiam in totius natur&aelig; cognitione maximum habere vsum perspiecies. AEternum &aelig;terni Dei Patris{{Apparatus|Corr|Patris|Parris}} filium, Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum ardentibus votis precor, vt hic annus pariter & Magistratus tum Cels[itudinis] tu&aelig;, tum Academi&aelig; felicissimè eveniat. Die 5. Ianuarij 80.

T[uae] C[elsitudinis] Obseruantisimus Thomas Erastus.


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{{InfoboxTranslation|Model=4|Date=2023-08-18}}
To the Most Illustrious Prince, Lord Charles, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Duke of Bavaria, Count of Veldenz and Spanheim, etc., Rector of the University of Heidelberg, etc., his most gracious Lord.

When recently, most illustrious Prince and Magnificent Lord Rector, I was explaining to my listeners the fifty-third chapter of Galen's book, which he titled "τέχνην ἰατρικὴν", and noticed that it was unjustly criticized by John Argenterio, an Italian, a man indeed well-learned, but too quick to bite others, as if he had not discussed the concretion of fat in animals in a manner consistent with Nature, I could not refrain from defending him against this unjust accusation. While examining this matter, it became clear how broad this discussion is and how useful a more detailed explanation would be, not only for candidates in Medicine but also for all students of Physiology. For this reason, I judged it worthy of public debate, especially since the time was approaching when our laws command us to engage the youth in debates on subjects we profess at any time. My opinion was reinforced by recalling that the same topic had been debated by Lord Laurentius Joubert, a Frenchman, a most distinguished doctor in his knowledge (whom I believe debated more to exercise his intellect than because he seriously held that opinion against the Ancients). Therefore, as I try to encompass this entire discussion in theses, behold, by the singular providence of the best and greatest God, to everyone's wishes, Rector, that is, the highest Magistrate and Governor of our Republic, you are auspiciously designated. It is unnecessary to mention here how much dignity this adds to the liberal arts.

The wise already foresee how much benefit will return to the Academy, and the rest will know in due time. Unless all my hopes and wishes greatly deceive me, this Magistracy will be glorious not only for Your Highness but also fruitful for the Academy. Therefore, as I congratulate both Your Highness on this dignity (for what adorns good and pious Princes more than the study of the liberal arts?) and the Academy on its happiness, and no other means now presents itself to express my feelings, I wanted to publish these pages under Your Highness's name. I know that you, most illustrious Prince and Magnificent Rector, endowed with the wisdom and kindness that you possess, will not disdain them, especially if you consider not so much their volume but their intent. For they come to you to congratulate you on the highest honor in the Academy, to pray for a most auspicious year in lieu of a New Year's gift, and finally to testify to the respect of my heart towards Your Highness. However, if you wish to consider the matters contained and explained in them, you will see that they have great use not only in Medicine but also in the knowledge of all of nature. I fervently pray to the eternal Son of the eternal God the Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, that this year and Magistracy may turn out most happily both for Your Highness and for the Academy. January 5, 1580.

Your Highness's Most Obedient, Thomas Erastus.