Who was Paul the Deacon, and by what other names was he known?

Paul the Deacon, an 8th-century Benedictine monk, scribe, and historian of the Lombards, was also known as Paulus Diaconus, Warnefridus, Barnefridus, or Winfridus. He was sometimes suffixed Cassinensis, meaning 'of Monte Cassino'.

What were the approximate birth and death dates for Paul the Deacon?

Paul the Deacon was born around the 720s and died on April 13, in one of the years 796, 797, 798, or 799 AD.

Where was Paul the Deacon born, and what was his original name?

Paul the Deacon, whose birth name was Winfrid, was born around 720 in Cividale del Friuli, located within the Duchy of Friuli in the Kingdom of the Lombards.

Who were Paul the Deacon's parents?

Paul the Deacon's parents were Warnefrid and Theodelinda.

What was Paul the Deacon's nationality and religious order?

Paul the Deacon was of Lombard nationality and belonged to the Benedictine order within the pre-Schism Latin Church.

What was Paul the Deacon's primary occupation, and what is he most known for?

Paul the Deacon was a Benedictine monk, scribe, and historian, primarily known for his significant work, the *History of the Lombards* (*Historia Langobardorum*).

When was Paul the Deacon ordained as a deacon?

Paul the Deacon was ordained as a deacon around 782 AD, which is indicated by his epithet 'Diaconus'.

Can you describe the visual representation of Paul the Deacon mentioned in the source material?

The source material references a portrait of Paulus Diaconus from a 10th-century manuscript, specifically Laurentian Library Plut. 65.35 fol. 34r, which provides a historical visual depiction of him.

How did Paul the Deacon's ancestor, Leupichis, come to Italy?

Paul the Deacon's ancestor, Leupichis, emigrated to Italy in 568 AD as part of the retinue of Alboin, who was the King of the Lombards.

What happened to Leupichis's sons during an Avar invasion, and how was the family's fortune restored?

During an invasion by the Avars, Leupichis's five sons were taken away to Pannonia. However, one of them, also named Leupichis, managed to return to Italy and successfully restored the ruined fortunes of his family.

Where did Paul the Deacon receive his education, and what specific language did he learn?

Paul the Deacon received an exceptionally good education, likely at the court of the Lombard king Ratchis in Pavia, where he learned the fundamentals of Greek from a teacher named Flavian.

What role did Paul the Deacon likely hold under King Desiderius?

Paul the Deacon was probably the secretary of the Lombard king Desiderius, who succeeded Ratchis on the throne.

What work did Paul the Deacon write at the request of Adelperga, and what was its purpose?

At the request of Adelperga, King Desiderius's daughter and wife of Arichis II, duke of Benevento, Paul the Deacon wrote a continuation of Eutropius's *Summary of Roman History* (*Breviarium Historiae Romanae*), expanding on the original text.

When and where did Paul the Deacon live before Charlemagne's conquest of Pavia?

Paul the Deacon lived at the court of Benevento for at least several years before 774, the year Charlemagne captured Pavia, and he may have fled Pavia during this conquest.

Which monasteries did Paul the Deacon join during his life?

Paul the Deacon first entered a monastery on Lake Como, and then, before 782, he joined the prominent Benedictine house of Monte Cassino.

How did Paul the Deacon come into contact with Charlemagne?

Paul the Deacon made the acquaintance of Charlemagne at Monte Cassino.

What action did Paul the Deacon take to help his brother Arichis?

Around 776, Paul's brother Arichis was taken prisoner to Francia after a revolt in Friuli. Five years later, Paul wrote to Charlemagne on his brother's behalf when Charlemagne visited Rome, which resulted in Arichis's freedom.

What cultural movement did Paul the Deacon significantly contribute to, and why?

Paul the Deacon became an important contributor to the Carolingian Renaissance, a period of intellectual and cultural revival in the Carolingian Empire, because his literary achievements had attracted the attention of Charlemagne.

When did Paul the Deacon return to Monte Cassino after his time in Francia?

Paul the Deacon returned to Monte Cassino in 787.

What is Paul the Deacon's most important work, and what historical period does it cover?

Paul the Deacon's most important work is his *Historia Langobardorum* (History of the Lombards), an incomplete history in six books that chronicles the Langobards from their legendary origins in 'Scadinavia' and their migrations, including their arrival in Italy in 568–69, up to the death of King Liutprand in 744.

When was *Historia Langobardorum* written?

Paul the Deacon wrote *Historia Langobardorum* sometime after 787 but completed it no later than 795–96.

What additional historical insights does *Historia Langobardorum* offer?

*Historia Langobardorum* provides extensive information about the Eastern Roman Empire, the Franks, and other peoples, and is particularly valuable for its portrayal of the relationships between the Franks and the Lombards, all presented from a Lombardian perspective.

What geographical theory did Paul the Deacon present at the beginning of his *Historia Langobardorum*?

At the beginning of his *Historia Langobardorum*, Paul the Deacon presented a theory that northern regions, being colder and further from the sun's heat, are more healthful for people and better suited for the propagation of nations, while southern regions, being hotter, are more prone to diseases and less suitable for raising the human race.

What were some of the key sources Paul the Deacon utilized for his *Historia Langobardorum*?

For his *Historia Langobardorum*, Paul the Deacon drew upon the *Origo gentis Langobardorum*, the *Liber pontificalis*, the lost history of Secundus of Trent, and the lost annals of Benevento. He also extensively used the works of Bede, Gregory of Tours, and Isidore of Seville.

Describe Paul the Deacon's *Historia Romana* and its connection to Eutropius.

Paul the Deacon's *Historia Romana* is a continuation of Eutropius's *Breviarium*, a summary of Roman history. Paul's work covers the period from 364 to 553 CE, extending Eutropius's narrative.

When and where was *Historia Romana* compiled?

Paul the Deacon compiled his *Historia Romana* at Benevento between 766 and 771.

Why did Paul the Deacon decide to expand upon Eutropius's *Breviarium*?

Paul the Deacon expanded upon Eutropius's *Breviarium* because Adelperga, whom he had advised to read Eutropius, complained that the pagan writer did not mention ecclesiastical affairs and concluded abruptly with the accession of Emperor Valens in 364.

How did Paul the Deacon integrate ecclesiastical history into his *Historia Romana*?

In his *Historia Romana*, Paul the Deacon interwove extracts from the Scriptures, ecclesiastical historians, and other sources with Eutropius's original writings, adding six books that extended the historical account down to 553 CE.

What was the historical significance and popularity of Paul the Deacon's *Historia Romana*?

Paul the Deacon's *Historia Romana* was highly popular during the Middle Ages and holds value for its early historical presentation of the decline and end of the Roman Empire in Western Europe.

Who were the notable editors of *Historia Romana* in later centuries?

*Historia Romana* was edited by Hans Droysen and published in the *Monumenta Germaniae Historica. Auctores antiquissimi* series in 1879, and later by A. Crivellucci in *Fonti per la storia d'Italia* in 1914.

What was *Liber de episcopis Mettensibus*, and who requested its creation?

*Liber de episcopis Mettensibus* is a history of the bishops of Metz up to 766, which Paul the Deacon wrote at the request of Angilram, who was the Bishop of Metz until his death in 791.

What made *Liber de episcopis Mettensibus* a pioneering work?

*Liber de episcopis Mettensibus* was the first work of its kind, a history specifically detailing the lives and tenures of bishops, to be written north of the Alps.

When was Paul the Deacon's *Liber de episcopis Mettensibus* translated into English?

Paul the Deacon's *Liber de episcopis Mettensibus* was translated into English in 2013.

Beyond historical narratives, what other forms of writing did Paul the Deacon engage in?

In addition to his historical narratives, Paul the Deacon composed numerous letters, verses, and epitaphs, including those dedicated to Duke/Prince Arichis II of Benevento and various members of the Carolingian family.

Where were some of Paul the Deacon's letters, poems, and epitaphs published?

Some of Paul the Deacon's letters were published alongside his *Historia Langobardorum* in the *Monumenta*, while his poems and epitaphs were edited by Ernst Dümmler and published in *Poetae latini aevi carolini* in 1881. A newer edition of his poems, *Die Gedichte des Paulus Diaconus*, was edited by Karl Neff in 1908.

What is the famous hymn *Ut queant laxis* known for, and what was Paul the Deacon's connection to it?

*Ut queant laxis*, a hymn to St. John the Baptist, is famous because Guido of Arezzo used its initial syllables to name the first notes of the musical scale. Although it was attributed to Paul the Deacon, Karl Neff later denied his authorship of the hymn.

How did Guido of Arezzo use *Ut queant laxis* to develop the musical scale?

Guido of Arezzo set the hymn *Ut queant laxis* to a melody that had previously been used for Horace's *Ode* 4.11. From the initial syllables of the first verses of this musical setting, Guido then derived the names for the first notes of the musical scale (e.g., 'Ut' for 'do', 'Re' for 're', 'Mi' for 'mi', etc.).

What scholarly epitome did Paul the Deacon dedicate to Charlemagne?

Paul the Deacon dedicated an epitome, which is a concise summary, of Sextus Pompeius Festus's *De verborum significatu* to Charlemagne.

What task did Charlemagne assign to Paul the Deacon regarding homilies?

While Paul the Deacon was in Francia, Charlemagne requested him to compile a collection of homilies, which are sermons or religious discourses.

What was the outcome and impact of Paul the Deacon's homily compilation?

Paul the Deacon fulfilled Charlemagne's request to compile homilies after returning to Monte Cassino, and this compilation subsequently became widely used in the Frankish churches.

What specific theological topic did Paul the Deacon address in his *In Assumptione* homilies?

In his two important homilies titled *In Assumptione*, Paul the Deacon discussed the possibility of Mary's bodily assumption into heaven, notably admitting this possibility in the second homily, a stance that differed from Ambrose Autpert.

What biographical work about a Pope is attributed to Paul the Deacon?

A life of Pope Gregory the Great has been attributed to Paul the Deacon.

What translation work is Paul the Deacon credited with regarding a saint's life?

Paul the Deacon is credited with producing a Latin translation of the Greek *Life of Saint Mary the Egyptian*.

Paul The Deacon Wiki: Chronicles of a Monk: Paul the Deacon's Enduring Legacy

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The Eminent Scholar

Identity and Titles

Paul the Deacon, known in Latin as Paulus Diaconus, was a pivotal figure in 8th-century European intellectual life. Born Winfrid, son of Warnefrid, around the 720s in the Duchy of Friuli, he later adopted the monastic name Paulus. His epithet "Diaconus" signifies his ordination as a deacon, and he is sometimes suffixed Cassinensis, indicating his association with Monte Cassino.^[1]

Lombard Heritage

Paul's lineage traces back to Leupichis, an ancestor who migrated to Italy in 568 with Alboin, the King of the Lombards, receiving lands near Cividale del Friuli. Despite a period where Leupichis's sons were taken captive by Avars, the family's fortunes were restored by a returning namesake. This rich Lombard heritage profoundly influenced Paul's later historical writings.^[1]

Roles and Recognition

Paul was a Benedictine monk, a dedicated scribe, and an esteemed historian, primarily known for his comprehensive work on the Lombards. His intellectual prowess and literary achievements eventually garnered the attention of Charlemagne, leading to his significant involvement in the burgeoning Carolingian Renaissance.^[1]

A Life of Learning

Early Education

Benefiting from his family's probable noble status, Paul received an exceptional education, likely at the court of the Lombard king Ratchis in Pavia. Here, he acquired foundational knowledge, including the rudiments of Greek from a teacher named Flavian, a rare accomplishment for his time.^[1]

Courtly Service

Paul served as secretary to King Desiderius, a successor to Ratchis. It was at the request of Desiderius's daughter, Adelperga, who had married Arichis II, Duke of Benevento, that Paul undertook the task of writing a continuation of Eutropius's Summary of Roman History. He resided at the court of Benevento for several years prior to 774, a period marked by Charlemagne's conquest of Pavia, which may have prompted his departure from the city.^[1]

Monastic Vocation

Before 782, Paul embraced monastic life, initially entering a monastery on Lake Como, and subsequently joining the renowned Benedictine house of Monte Cassino. It was during this period that he formed an acquaintance with Charlemagne, a relationship that would prove instrumental in his later career. His brother, Arichis, was taken prisoner in Francia around 776 following a revolt in Friuli; Paul's direct appeal to Charlemagne five years later secured his brother's release.^[1]

Literary Contributions

Historia Langobardorum

Paul's magnum opus, the Historia Langobardorum (History of the Lombards), is an incomplete six-book history composed between 787 and 795–96. This work chronicles the Lombards from their mythical origins in "Scadinavia" through their migrations, including their arrival in Italy in 568–69, up to the death of King Liutprand in 744. It offers invaluable insights into the Eastern Roman Empire, the Franks, and other contemporary peoples, presented from a distinctly Lombardian perspective.^[1]

Paul's narrative begins with a notable observation on geography and human vitality:

The region of the north, in proportion as it is removed from the heat of the sun and is chilled with snow and frost, is so much the more healthful to the bodies of men and fitted for the propagation of nations, just as, on the other hand, every southern region, the nearer it is to the heat of the sun, the more it abounds in diseases and is less fitted for the bringing up of the human race.^[1]

His sources included the Origo gentis Langobardorum, the Liber pontificalis, and lost histories by Secundus of Trent and the annals of Benevento. He also drew extensively from the works of Bede, Gregory of Tours, and Isidore of Seville.^[1]

Historia Romana

The Historia Romana is Paul's continuation of Eutropius's Breviarium, covering the period from 364 to 553 CE. Compiled in Benevento between 766 and 771, this work was prompted by Adelperga's desire for a history that extended beyond Valens's accession and incorporated ecclesiastical matters. Paul meticulously integrated extracts from the Scriptures, ecclesiastical historians, and other sources, making it a popular and valuable historical account of the decline of the Roman Empire in Western Europe during the Middle Ages.^[1]

Diverse Writings

Beyond his major historical works, Paul produced a variety of other significant texts:

A history of the bishops of Metz up to 766, a pioneering work of its kind north of the Alps, later translated as Liber de episcopis Mettensibus.^[4]
Numerous letters, verses, and epitaphs, including those for Duke/Prince Arichis II of Benevento and members of the Carolingian family.^[4]
An epitome of Sextus Pompeius Festus's De verborum significatu, dedicated to Charlemagne.^[6]
A collection of homilies compiled at Charlemagne's request, widely adopted in Frankish churches.^[7]
Two homilies In Assumptione, with the second notably acknowledging the possibility of Mary's bodily assumption into heaven.^[7]
Attributed works include a life of Pope Gregory the Great and a Latin translation of the Greek Life of Saint Mary the Egyptian.^[4]^[8]

Notably, the famous hymn to St. John the Baptist, Ut queant laxis, from which Guido of Arezzo derived the names for the musical scale notes, was once attributed to Paul, though this attribution has since been debated.^[5]

Enduring Influence

Carolingian Renaissance

Paul the Deacon's intellectual contributions were instrumental in the Carolingian Renaissance, a period of cultural and intellectual revival in Europe during the late 8th and 9th centuries. His scholarly work, particularly his historical narratives and compilations, provided essential texts and models for learning, helping to shape the intellectual landscape of Charlemagne's court and beyond.^[1]

Historical Methodology

His meticulous approach to history, drawing upon diverse sources and presenting events from a specific cultural viewpoint (Lombardian), established a precedent for historical writing. The popularity and widespread use of his works, such as the Historia Romana, underscore their significance as foundational texts for understanding the transition from the late Roman Empire to the early medieval period.^[1]

Musical Legacy (Debated)

While the direct authorship of the hymn Ut queant laxis is debated, its association with Paul the Deacon highlights the breadth of his perceived influence. The hymn's role in the development of musical notation, through Guido of Arezzo's use of its initial syllables, points to a profound, albeit indirect, impact on Western music theory, reflecting the era's interconnectedness of scholarship and art.^[5]

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References

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Chronicles of a Monk

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

The Eminent Scholar 🎓

👤 Identity and Titles

🌍 Lombard Heritage

✍️ Roles and Recognition

A Life of Learning 📚

🎓 Early Education

🏰 Courtly Service

⛪ Monastic Vocation

Literary Contributions 📜

📖 Historia Langobardorum

🏛️ Historia Romana

📝 Diverse Writings

Enduring Influence 🌟

👑 Carolingian Renaissance

🏛️ Historical Methodology

🎶 Musical Legacy (Debated)

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📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

The Eminent Scholar

Identity and Titles

Lombard Heritage

Roles and Recognition

A Life of Learning

Early Education

Courtly Service

Monastic Vocation

Literary Contributions

Historia Langobardorum

Historia Romana

Diverse Writings

Enduring Influence

Carolingian Renaissance

Historical Methodology

Musical Legacy (Debated)

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice