This volume, first published in 1999, presents a translated and wide-ranging selection of Melanchthon's influential academic orations.

Acknowledgements; Introduction; Chronology; Further reading; Note on the text; Part I. The Scope of Education: 1. On the order of learning; 2. On the role of schools; 3. On the distinction between the Gospel and philosophy; Part II. The Arts Course: 4. On the study of languages; 5. Preface to Homer; 6. On the usefulness of fables; 7. Praise of eloquence; 8. Preface to Cicero's On Duties; 9. Preface to the Questions on Dialectics; 10. Preface to arithmetic; 11. Preface to geometry; 12. Preface to On the Sphere; 13. On astronomy and geography; 14. The dignity of astrology; 15. On philosophy; 16. On natural philosophy; 17. Dedicatory letter to the Epitome of Moral Philosophy; 18. Preface to the Commentary on the Soul; 19. Preface to the Book on the Soul; 20. On anatomy; Part III. The Higher Faculties: 21. On the merit of the art of medicine; 22. On the merit of laws; 23. On the merit of studying theology; Part IV. Authorities: 24. On Plato; 25. On Aristotle; 26. On the life of Galen; 27. On the life of Avicenna; 28. On the life of Rudolf Agricola; 29. On Johannes Regiomontanus; 30. On Erasmus of Rotterdam; 31. At Luther's funeral; Index.