<em>Superstitiones</em> e <em>signa</em> nell’immaginario Lunare altomedievale

This paper aims to clarify how Christian writers in the early Middle Ages tried to eradicate the idolatrous worship associated with the Moon. Authors such as Maximus of Turin, Caesarius of Arles and Isidore of Seville interpreted, from a Christian perspective, the wonders and the symbolism that had been associated with lunar eclipses by pagan traditions. Contributions aimed at contrasting the spread of superstitious rituals can be found in several sources of that time. Nevertheless the Moon continued to be a fascinating astrological “object”, because the observation of its various phases was considered a useful instrument for predicting the future and also for preparing and supplying medical treatments