When authors refer to other great works, people, and events, it’s usually not accidental. Put on your super-sleuth hat and figure out why.
Literary and Philosophical References
- Aristotle, Analytics (1.1.5-6)
- Aristotle, De Sensu (1.1.13)
- Galen (1.1.13)
- Aristotle, Nichomachean Ethics (1.1.16)
- Justinian, Institutes (1.1.27-32)
- Jerome, Vulgate [Latin Bible] (1.1.38-42)
- Musaeus (1.1.109)
- Roger Bacon (1.1.147)
- Pietro D'Abano (1.1.147)
- William Lyly, "Carmen de Moribus" (1.4.13)
- Homer (2.3.24)
Historical References
- Battle of Trasimene 217 B.C. (Prologue.1)
- Alessandro Farnese, Prince of Parma (1.1.91)
- Agrippa (German magician) (1.1.110)
- Philip of Spain (1.1.125)
- Alexander the Great (2.3.25)
- Council of Trent (3.1.105)
- Frederick, Emperor of Germany (1100s) (3.1.136.37)
- Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor (1411-1437) (3.1.146)
- Pope Julius II (1503-13) (3.1.146)
- Colossus of Rhodes (4.6.95)
- Alexander the Great (4.1.75)
Mythological References
- Jason and the Golden Fleece (1.1.124)
- Musaeus (1.1.109)
- Penelope (Odysseus's wife) (2.1.146)
- Paris (2.3.25, 5.1.23, 5.1.100)
- Amphion (2.3.27-28)
- Olympus (3.Chorus.3)
- The Furies (3.2.20)
- Pluto (3.2.21)
- Hecate (3.2.21)
- Diana (4.1.99)
- Helen of Troy (5.1.12, 5.1.87)
- Menelaus (5.1.102)
- Achilles (5.1.103)
- Arethusa (5.1.111)
- Apollo (5.Epilogue.2)
Biblical References
- Romans 6:23 ("The wages of sin is death") (1.1.39)
- 1 John 1:8 (1.1.41-42)
- John 19:30 ("It is finished") (2.1.72)
- 1 Timothy 6:11, Psalms 139.7-8 ("Man, flee") (2.1.75)
- Queen of Sheba (2.1.147)