De arte dialectica

work by Capella

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June 25, 2026

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De arte dialectica is a section within Martianus Capella's larger allegorical work, De nuptiis Philologiae et Mercurii (The Marriage of Philology and Mercury), written around the 5th century AD. This section, along with others in the work, introduces the seven liberal arts. In De arte dialectica, one of the seven maidens presented to Mercury's bride, Philology, expounds on the art of dialectic.12

Dialectic, a method of philosophical inquiry involving conversation and questioning, was a significant concept in ancient Greek thought, notably explored by Plato and later transmitted to the Latin West through figures like Marius Victorinus and Capella himself.23

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Martianus Minneus Felix Capella
…remaining seven De arte grammatica, De arte dialectica, De arte rhetorica, De geometrica, De arithmetica, De astrologia, and De harmonia. Mercury gives his bride, who is made divine, seven maidens, and each declaims on that one of the seven liberal arts that she represents. The prose style is often dry,…
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…remaining seven De arte grammatica, De arte dialectica, De arte rhetorica, De geometrica, De arithmetica, De astrologia, and De harmonia. Mercury gives his bride, who is made divine, seven maidens, and each declaims on that one of the seven liberal arts that she represents. The prose style is often dry,…
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