De Arte Gymnastica

Published in 1569 De arte gymnastica was written by Geronimo Mercuriali (Hieronymus Mercurialis 1530-1606). Several reissues were published including one in 1672 in Amsterdam by Frisuis with a title page made by artist Romeyn de Hooghe. Geronimo Mercuriali was an Italian philologist and physician. In Rome in Italy he was very well connected and had free access to many libraries where he studied the classical and medical literature of the Grecians and Romans. He translated many Crecian books. He taught as a professor at the university in Padua. In his book De arte gymnastica he divided exercise into three groups: regular exercise which includes medical use military exercise and athletic exercise. He describes many forms of exercise like dancing ball games walking running jumping discus exercise dumbbell exercise throwing singing riding swimming wrestling boxing and even fishing and hunting. Every form is described with its benefits.