Boethius Writes the Consolation of Philosophy in Prison
Boethius was born around 480 CE into one of the last great senatorial families of Rome. Educated in the classical tradition, he set himself the extraordinary project of translating the entire Aristotelian corpus and the dialogues of Plato into Latin, so that the Greek heritage of Western philosophy would not be lost. His translations of Aristotle's logical works formed the entire basis of what medieval universities would call logic for six hundred years. Under the Ostrogothic king Theodoric, who ruled Italy from Ravenna with considerable sophistication, Boethius rose to the position of magister officiorum — roughly, chief of staff — in 522 CE. The same year, his two sons were appointed joint consuls, the highest honor the increasingly ceremonial Roman constitution could bestow. Then catastrophe struck. He was accused of treason: of corresponding treasonably with the Eastern Emperor Justin I in Constantinople. Theodoric, elderly, increasingly suspicious, ordered Boethius arrested and imprisoned without the senatorial trial to which he was entitled. In the prison at Pavia, awaiting execution, Boethius wrote the Consolation. It is a dialogue between himself — despairing, angry, confused — and Lady Philosophy, who appears to comfort him. The work moves through five books from lament to a Platonic vision of Providence and the nature of true good. Boethius was executed in 524. The Consolation survived. It was translated into Old English by Alfred the Great, into Middle English by Geoffrey Chaucer, into French by Jean de Meun. Dante placed Boethius in Paradise. It was among the most-copied manuscripts of the entire Middle Ages.
- Year: 523 CE
- Category: Cultural
