Severinus Boethius Accomplishments

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius lived to be known as one of the most accomplished men of his time and beyond. The Roman scholar, poet, orator, musician, and philosopher had much of his knowledge to offer to the ancient world in his lifetime. Through his writings and translations, Boethius made important contributions to the Middle Ages and gave people today a better understanding of ancient times. He proved himself to be a great thinker and very gifted – an overall impressive man. For these reasons, the life of Boethius is still remembered. Born around 475-477 C.E., Boethius grew up with the privilege of high status in an unstable Roman Empire. He came from a prestigious line of families, as indicated by his full name. He belonged to the

Because both of Boethius' parents died in his childhood, Quintus Aurelius Symmachus, a consul from a patrician family greater than Boethuis', adopted him and raised him himself. Under the care of Symmachus, Boethius received an excellent education in his youth. He mainly learned of Latin classics and four major traditions on thought and writing: Greek Neoplatonism, Latin philosophical writing, Greek Christian Literature, and the Latin church fathers. With a thorough education, Boethius became recognized for his intelligence as he grew older; his peers referred to him as "your wisdom," or "most learned of men." Boethius led a very successful life during his adulthood, both in private and in public affairs. Around 495 C.E., he married the daughter of Symmachus, Rusticiana, and thus married into a glorious family. He later had two sons with her, named Symmachus and Boethius. Furthermore, it is revealed in various letters between himself and a man named Cassiodorus that while in his twenties, Boethius

In prison, Boethius wrote his most renowned work, De consolatione Philosophiae, or The Consolation of Philosophy. He sought relief for his grief over his great losses while writing this work. Boethius often wrote in a melancholic and distraught tone as he lamented. This is evident from the very first lines in Book One, in which Boethius wrote: "I who wrought my studious numbers / Smoothly once in happier days, / Now perforce in tears and sadness / Learn a mournful strain to raise." Boethius also produced defenses to the accusations made against him in his writing. During his imprisonment, Boethius wrote that Philosophy came to him in the form of a woman, who cleared and opened his mind to things he did not realize before. He became aware of things such as the selfishness of his regrets, what true good is, as well as "the mystery of the world's moral government." Boethius still suffered greatly in these times. His life ended around 526 C.E. with a very cruel and graphic execution. The way Theodoric executed him is unclear, but accounts say that either soldiers cut him down with swords, or tortured and clubbed him until he