CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2007
| Author | Vukovic, Marijana |
|---|---|
| Title | The Library of Vivarium: Cassiodorus and the Classics |
| Summary | This thesis deals with the transmission of the classical heritage in the early Middle Ages, through the example of the Vivarium monastery in southern Italy, established by Cassiodorus in the sixth century. Vivarium was a unique foundation of Christian education, enhanced with secular studies and Cassiodorus supplied his library in Vivarium with both Christian and the classical works. He was roclaimed as the “savior” and “protector” of the classical heritage because he copied and collected books, among which classical works. Over-praise turned into harsh criticism at some points in the 1950s and after re-examining Cassiodorus’ entire work, writings and remaining paleographical material. But, the sources are few. This thesis aims to give answers to several questions. Why did Cassiodorus need classics in Vivarium? Did he have in mind preservation from their imminent extinction or did other reasons impel him to collect classics? Which classics did he choose? If one keeps in mind Cassiodorus’ pursuits and his avowed dream of establishing a Christian school, the conclusions are clear. Cassiodorus did not aim to preserve the classics. He did not foresee the imminent devastation that threatened them. What Cassiodorus aimed was to be an establisher of a prestigious Christian school. In collecting classical books he had a Christian authority in mind: Augustine. Augustine wrote De doctrina Christiana in the fourth century, giving directives for Christian education, naming specific areas within classical writings as useful for study of the Scripture. Cassiodorus traced Augustine’s advice. Cassiodorus focused on the specific areas in the library: the seven liberal arts and medicine, agriculture and cosmography. No admirer of the classical heritage would be so specific in his choice, but, that was not Cassiodorus’ goal. |
| Supervisor | Saghy, Marianne |
| Department | Medieval Studies MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2007/vukovic_marijana.pdf |
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