The Trotula: An English Translation of the Medieval Compendium of Women's Medicine

by Monica H. Green (Translator)

The Trotula was the most influential compendium of women's medicine in medieval Europe. Scholarly debate has long focused on the traditional attribution of the work to the mysterious Trotula, said to have been the first female professor of medicine in eleventh- or twelfth-century Salerno, just south of Naples, then the leading center of medical learning in Europe. Yet as Monica H. Green reveals in her introduction to the first English translation ever based upon a medieval form of the text, the Trotula is not a single treatise but an ensemble of three independent works, each by a different author. To varying degrees, these three works reflect the synthesis of indigenous practices of southern Italians with the new theories, practices, and medicinal substances coming out of the Arabic world.

Green here presents a complete English translation of the so-called standardized Trotula ensemble, a composite form of the texts that was produced in the midthirteenth century and circulated widely in learned circles. The work is now accessible to a broad audience of readers interested in medieval history, women's studies, and premodern systems of medical thought and practice.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Medieval, Science, Historical, Feminism, Medicine

248 pages, Paperback

First published March 19, 2001

Reviews

[Kylie Kincaid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend this text for curious readers and those fascinated by early women’s medicine (or lack there of). I would not recommend the text for modern medicinal scholars; no one has that many old shoes around to boil for their female neighbors in crisis.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended for readers of medieval or women's history.

I've read about the Trotula in other books, but never gotten a look at the text itself. Monica Green's introduction was vital to understanding the history and creation of the work. She explains that the Trotula, usually considered as one unit, is actually three different parts (Conditions of Women, Treatments of Women, and Cosmetics) which may not even share a common author. The second part can be definitely linked to the writings of the female Trota, though the authors of the other two parts are unknown. Though I appreciated Green's research, I disagree with her conclusion that the author(s) of Conditions and Cosmetics were probably men, since she herself admits that women were known to practice medicine in Salerno, and also that Salernian male doctors of the time took no particular interest in women's medicine -- to me, these two facts, along with the texts themselves, suggest that the author(s) were female.

The introduction is obviously the standout of this edition, but the Trotula texts themselves are concise and well-translated for simple reading. The appendices contain information about medicines and ingredients mentioned in the texts.

[Tina Romanelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monica Green rendered a very old gynecological text extremely readable for a twenty-first century audience. I especially appreciated the long introduction in which Green explains that, contrary to Medieval and Renaissance misconceptions, the Trotula was written by at least three different authors, two of which were likely male. The discussions of authority for the texts gave students a purchase on which to deal with the extensive lists of foreign (and perhaps extinct) ingredients listed in the text. Looking for references to Galen and Hippocrates, humors, and Saracen influence helped me contextualize and understand the text.

[Blaze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Women in the medical arts, commentary on therapeutic makeup, an interesting how to which sheds light on an amazing world of the past.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't a book you read every word of, it's one you skim, find horrible (funny) things, and thank God that you live in the age of modern medicine. The introduction is a bit boring, I really started reading once I got to the actual translated book. It truly makes me wonder why we're all still alive, but then I remember. Pure. Dumb. Luck 🤣 I ended up reading bits out loud to my grown daughters and husband. They laughed too.

[Zgardenldy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good resource.

[Carolyn Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely fascinating

[giselle · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was so interesting but also SO FUNNY

[Martina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found mentions of this book randomly online and, as an Italian, I had to give it a go.
Oh boy, am I glad for modern medicine!
But to think of the knowledge women used to pass to each other back then it's super interesting.
Medicine was never super-advanced in Europe, not by the Middle East and Africa standard at least, they could beat us 10 to O with their eyes closed even by the 1400 but still: it's a testament to the history of my nation and I'll treasure it none the less... Even if some solutions seem way too farfetched sometimes. xD

[Tiger Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

The translation is probably one of the best translations I've ever read. Incredibly accurate as well as very pleasing to any reader. Sometimes translations are too literal and forced but this one flows so well it was a great read and easy to understand, even for someone with no real medical knowledge like myself.

[Rina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book for both medical professionals and historians seeking to generate a better understanding of our current ideas concerning gynaecology and female health. while our ideas of conception and problems surrounding female health have changed, this helps provide a foundation for the modern medical establishment we currently use.

[A.L. Sowards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three medieval medical texts dealing mostly with women's health. Interesting stuff. This edition has a long, helpful introduction, then the three texts, then an extensive appendix. Easy to read, which says a lot about the quality of the translation.

I would really like a modern obgyn's take on what might have worked and what might have been harmful.

[Tiger Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly interesting. An absolute must-read for anyone interested in medieval medicine, natural cosmetic recipes or women's science.

[Andee Nero · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick read and Green's introduction makes it accessible for those who haven't read much on medieval medicine. A fascinating translation of 12th century Italian medical advice.

[Becca]

Crazy info regarding medicine and magic that manages the uterus and female sexuality. Green combines three medieval texts (in translation) into this one book.

[G. Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, fascinating insight into medical theory in the medieval period