The Sciences of Roger Bacon’s Opus Maius

The Sciences of Roger Bacon’s Opus Maius, 1st Edition, is a scholarly anthology that analyzes the specific disciplines detailed in Roger Bacon's fundamental 1267 text. Published by Routledge as part of the Global Perspectives on the History of Natural Philosophy series, this collection investigates how Bacon organized scientific fields to advance proposed educational and ecclesiastical reforms requested by Pope Clement IV.

The volume synthesizes key areas of premodern thought across several distinct thematic arcs. Chapter contributions address optics, vision, arithmetic, and the science of weights, alongside alchemy, pharmacology, astrology, anti-magic, and utopian science. The texts evaluate alchemical secrecy and deception while contrasting Bacon's ideas against figures such as Alhazen, Jordan of Nemore, and John Pecham.

Edited by Meagan S. Allen, the collection gathers nine specialized essays from contributors including Jeremiah Hackett, Alexander Fidora, Nader El-Bizri, and William R. Newman. The volume includes seven black and white illustrations across its 198 pages, delivering targeted study material for historians of science, medicine, philosophy, and medieval studies.