Theological Tractates and the Consolation of Philosophy

The Theological Tractates and the Consolation of Philosophy by Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius, translated by H F Stewart, E K Rand, and S J Tester, 217 pages

St Boethius was a Roman aristocrat in the early sixth century.  Having himself received an excellent classical education, he was entirely too aware of the growing cultural split between the surviving Roman Empire in the East and the former territories of the Empire in the West - it was, in fact, this divide that would ultimately claim his life.  Boethius therefore set himself the project of translating the complete works of Plato and Aristotle into Latin, a project left sadly incomplete by his untimely death.  A shift in political outlook within the Gothic kingdom of Italy made Boethius' ties to the East the object of suspicion, and earned him imprisonment, torture, and death.  But it gave us The Consolation of Philosophy.

The five Theological Tractates form a defense of orthodox catholic Christianity in the sixth century, defending it against the heresies of Arius, Nestorius, and Eutyches.  Boethius' primary aim throughout is the explication of Christian dogmas involving the Trinity and the two natures of Christ in terms of classical philosophy.  His secondary aim is to bridge the gap between Greek and Latin theological terminology, thus fostering understanding between the eastern and western halves of the Church.

The Consolation of Philosophy is undoubtedly Boethius' masterpiece, and one of the classics of world literature.  One of the most popular works of the Middle Ages, it has been translated into English by talents as diverse as King Alfred the Great, Geoffrey Chaucer, and Queen Elizabeth I.  Written from prison, it begins with the author lamenting his sad fortune, only to be confronted by the Lady Philosophy, who rebukes him for having forgotten her.  Fortune does not rule the world, she explains to him, rather Providence does.  True happiness is to be found only in virtue, and wickedness is its own worst punishment.  Suffering cleanses the good man and corrects the evildoer.  These truths are imparted by Philosophy in short prose dialogues with brief poetic interludes.

As an entry in the landmark Loeb Classical Library, this volume includes the original language text (Latin, in this case) with the English translation on facing pages.  This makes it very useful for those interested in learning classical languages as well as reading the work itself.