Hanging by a Thread: Plague, Talismanic Healing, and Self-Branding in the Life and Writings of Tommaso Zefiriele Bovio (1521–1609)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.6093/2284-0184/12422Keywords:
Tommaso Zefiriele Bovio, Paracelsus, Arbatel de magia veterum, Talismans, PlagueAbstract
This paper explores the role of talismans in both the published and unpublished works of Tommaso Zefiriele Bovio (1521-1609) focusing on their use during the plague of 1575-1576. Drawing on Victor Turner’s concept of the “multivocality of symbols,” it examines how these objects carried multiple meanings for Bovio, serving both as medical tools and as instruments of self-promotion. By employing talismans, he positioned himself as a divine saviour, seeking to gain the trust of the aristocracy while provoking suspicion among academic physicians and hostility from the Inquisition, which saw his practices as dangerously close to forbidden magic. The discovery of his plagiarism adds another layer of complexity to this picture, revealing the political and cultural stakes of his work and exposing his calculated use of knowledge to secure visibility and influence.
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- 2025-06-28 (2)
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Copyright (c) 2025 Stefano Daniele
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