Book of Sydrac

The Book of Sydrac (also sometimes referred to as the Fontaine de Toutes Sciences or the Fountain of All Sciences) is a medieval encyclopedia and collection of philosophical and scientific questions and answers. It is presented as a dialogue between Sydrac, a wise scholar said to be from the Orient, and King Boctus (or Bocchus), a ruler eager to learn.

The text covers a vast range of topics, including theology, astrology, medicine, natural philosophy, and ethics. It draws upon a variety of sources, reflecting the accumulated knowledge and beliefs of the medieval period. The questions posed by King Boctus and the responses given by Sydrac delve into the nature of the world, the purpose of life, and the workings of the human body.

The Book of Sydrac gained considerable popularity in the Middle Ages, circulating widely in manuscript form and being translated into several languages, including Latin, French, English, and German. Its influence can be seen in other encyclopedic works and didactic literature of the time. While often considered a valuable source of information about medieval thought, it's important to note that the scientific and philosophical views expressed in the Book of Sydrac are often outdated and reflect pre-modern understandings of the world. The text should be studied within its historical context. The origins of the text are debated, with possible influences from Arabic and Jewish sources. The actual historical existence of Sydrac and King Boctus is unconfirmed and likely apocryphal.