Born: 477
Born In: Rome, Italy
Born: 477
Born In: Rome, Italy
Boethius was an early 6th century Roman senator, consul, and philosopher who entered public service under Ostrogothic King Theodoric the Great. He was born into a prominent family which included emperors Petronius Maximus and Olybrius and many consuls. His father too was a consul who died when Boethius was a young boy. He was then raised by Quintus Aurelius Memmius Symmachus who provided him with a good education and kindled in him a love for literature and philosophy. He entered public service at a young age and held many important offices, including the consulship during the reign of King Theodoric the Great. Eventually he rose to become the magister officiorum, the head of all the government and court services. He was inclined towards scholarly pursuits and it was his ambition to translate the complete works of Aristotle with commentary from Greek into Latin. During his career as a consul he was also able to translate several of Aristotle’s works. However, the respected philosopher fell out of favor with the king who suspected him of participating in a conspiracy to overthrow him. He was imprisoned, and while in jail he composed his ‘Consolation of Philosophy’, a philosophical treatise on fortune, death and other issues. He was executed shortly after.
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Also Known As: Boethius
Died At Age: 47
Spouse/Ex-: Elpis, Rusticiana
father: Flavius Manlius Boetius
Born Country: Italy
Died on: October 23, 524
place of death: Pavia, Italy
Cause of Death: Execution
City: Rome, Italy
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