THE 850TH ANNIVERSARY OF PUBLICATION ’DE ESSENTIS’ BY HERMAN DALMATIN

The Croatian scholar Herman Dalmatin (Hermannus Dalmata) was born at the beginning of the 12th century in central Istria. He studied in Chartres, France in the famous Neoplatonic school of the time. He travelled to the Middle East later and acquired an extensive knowledge of Arabic science and philosophy. In 1138 he started to translate from Arabic into Latin numerous Arabic and Greek works. The original writings by Herman were dedicated to the construction and use of the astrolab, a device greatly appreciated by the astronomers of his time. Herman’s most important work, still, remains "De Essentiis", completed in Bezier in 1143, in which his authentic ideas on philosophy and nature were explaned in the light of the harmony between Western European tradition and Arabic natural philosophy. Herman’s concept of philosophy, nature and science, as displayed in his work "De Essentiis" left a marked impact on the development of science after the 12th century and prompted its transformation into different, clearly defined disciplines. The stamp was printed in sheets of 20 pieces each. HPT issued a first day cover (FDC) and a commemorative sheet.