De consolatione philosophiae
About this book
Boethius composed the De Consolatione Philosophiae in the sixth century A.D. whilst awaiting death under torture. He had been condemned on a charge of treason which he protested was manifestly unjust. Though a convinced Christian, in detailing the true end of life which is the soul's knowledge of God, he consoled himself not with Christian precepts but with the tenets of Greek philosophy. This work dominated the intellectual world of the Middle Ages; writers as diverse as Thomas Aquinas, Jean de Meun, and Dante were inspired by it. In England it was rendered into Old English by Alfred the Great, into Middle English by Geoffrey Chaucer, and later Queen Elizabeth I made her own translation. The circumstances of composition, the heroic demeanour of the author, and the 'Menippean' texture of part prose, part verse (Boethius was a considerable poet) have combined to exercise a fascination over students of philosophy and literature ever since. The book should therefore prove to be of value to students and scholars of classics, philosophy, and religion as well as to more general readers.
Reader Profile
4.1/5 · 18854 readers · 140 pages · ≈ 2 h 36 m · Demanding
How long does it take to read De consolatione philosophiae?
About ≈ 2 h 36 m — 140 pages, assuming roughly 250 words per page at 225 words per minute.
How many pages is De consolatione philosophiae?
140 pages in its most-read edition.
What genre is De consolatione philosophiae?
It sits on the Philosophy, Poetry, History shelves.
Is De consolatione philosophiae in the public domain?
Yes — it is free to read and share.
Who are the main characters in De consolatione philosophiae?
The main characters include Boethius (d. 524).
Where does De consolatione philosophiae take place?
It takes place in Early church, ca. 30-600.
Who wrote De consolatione philosophiae?
Boethius.
Where can I read De consolatione philosophiae online for free?
It is in the public domain — read it free on Open Library