The Trial of Galileo
Galilei
--The Evidence--
The following links offer you evidence from Galileo's life, his trial, and his condemnation. Some of this evidence falls into the category of primary sources and some into the category of secondary sources. You will need to use each type in an appropriate way. Of course, you should not feel constrained by this list. It is only a sampling of what you can find available through a search of the University Library catalogue. I have placed four books on reserve (listed at the bottom of this page) that you may wish to take a look at as you prepare for your role in our trial.
| For the Prosecution | For the Defense |
| 1. The injunction of Cardinal Bellarmine ordering
Galileo to abandon Copernican theory (1616) 2. The Holy Office's condemnation of Galileo (1632) 3. Galileo's oath of abjuration |
1. Copernican Theory 2. Galileo's theory of celestial motion 3. Galileo's Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina of Tuscany (1616) |
General |
|
| 1.
How the Inquisition
functioned 2. Biography of Bellarmine from the Catholic Encyclopedia. 3. Review the indictment we are using. |
|
Books placed on reserve:
Blackwell, Richard J., 1929- Galileo, Bellarmine, and the Bible : including a translation of Foscarini's Letter on the motion of the earth / Richard J. Blackwell, 1991. [QB36.G2 B574 1991]
Campanella, Tommaso, 1586-1639. The defense of Galileo of Thomas Campanella; for the first time translated and edited, with introduction and notes, by Grant McColley. [QB36.G2 C32]
De Santillana, Giorgio, 1902- The crime of Galileo. [QB36.G2 D4]
The Galileo affair : a documentary history / edited and translated with an introduction and notes by Maurice A. Finocchiaro. 1989. [QB36.G2 G319 1989]