Pico della Mirandola, Maimonides and Magic

The manuscript Kassel, Landes- und Murhardsche Bibliothek, 2 ms. Theol. 67, transmitting the Latin translation of Maimonides’ Guide of the Perplexed, contains numerous marginal notes by the hand of Pico della Mirandola, as well as a new translation of part of Guide III, 29. The topic of this passage, which treats magical practices in use among idolatrous populations, reflects the peculiar interest that Pico had in magic. The presence of this alternative translation in the codex raises the important question of its authorship, since the detailed work of revision and the new translation show a direct access to the Hebrew text as well as the direct involvement of Pico.