The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1997/The_Epic_Interactive_Encyclopedia_97.iso/a/alchemy/infotext

Text File | 1992-09-02 | 741b | 19 lines

Arabic al-Kimya the supposed technique of
transmuting base metals, such as lead and
mercury, into silver and gold by the
philosopher's stone, a hypothetical
substance, to which was also attributed the
power to give eternal life. This aspect of
alchemy constituted much of the chemistry of
the Middle Ages. More broadly, however,
alchemy was a system of philosophy that dealt
both with the mystery of life and the
formation of inanimate substances. Alchemy
was a complex and indefinite conglomeration
of chemistry, astrology, occultism, and
magic, blended with obscure and abstruse
ideas derived from various religious systems
and other sources. It was practised in Europe
from ancient times to the Middle Ages but
later fell into disrepute.