The Sum of Perfection or the Perfect Magistery
Quick Summary
The Sum of Perfection or the Perfect Magistery is a treatise by an unknown 14th-century author who adopted the name Geber to gain authority. This work, along with others attributed to Geber, was highly influential in alchemy and metallurgy during the 14th and 15th centuries.1
Geber's writings presented a clear expression of alchemical theory and laboratory directions, reflecting European practices rather than earlier Arab ones. He proposed that all metals consist of sulfur and mercury and described the use of an elixir to transmute base metals into gold. Geber's rational approach and detailed laboratory procedures, including the purification of compounds and preparation of acids, helped establish alchemy as a respectable field. His corpuscular theory of matter also significantly influenced later scientific thought.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
