Giovanni Aurelio Augurello

Giovanni Aurelius Augurello (Joannes Aurelius Augurellus) (1441-1524) was an Italian humanist scholar, poet and alchemist. Born at Rimini, he was based mostly at Venice. He is best known for his 1515 poem Chrysopoeia. On the making of gold, it was dedicated to Pope Leo X; leading to a celebrated story, that the Pope had rewarded Augurello — with an empty purse.

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His other works include Carmina (1505), Geronticon liber, Iambici libri, and Sermonum libri.

References

• Zweder von Martels. Augurello's 'Chrysopoeia' (1515) : a turning point in the literary tradition of alchemical texts. Early Sci Med 5, no. 2 (2000): 178-195.