The selected letters of Cassiodorus : a sixth-century sourcebook / Cassiodorus; edited and translated by M. Shane Bjornlie.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Cassiodorus, Senator, approximately 487-approximately 580, author.

Cassiodorus

Contributor:

Bjornlie, M. Shane, 1969- editor, translator.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Cassiodorus, Senator, approximately 487-approximately 580--Correspondence.

Cassiodorus.

Ostrogoths--Italy--History--Sources.

Ostrogoths.

Italy--History--476-774--Sources.

Italy.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (328 p.)

Place of Publication:

Oakland, California : University of California Press, [2020]

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

One of the great Christian scholars of antiquity and a high-ranking public official under Theoderic, King of the Ostrogoths, Cassiodorus compiled edicts, diplomatic letters, and legal documents while in office. The collection of his writings, the Variae, remains among the most important sources for the sixth century, the period during which late antiquity transitioned to the early middle ages. Translated and selected by scholar M. Shane Bjornlie, The Selected Letters gathers the most interesting evidence from the Veriae for understanding the political culture, legal structure, intellectual and religious worldviews, and social evolution during the twilight of the late-Roman state. Bjornlie’s invaluable introduction discusses Cassiodorus’s work in civil, legal, and financial administration, revealing his interactions with emperors, kings, bishops, military commanders, private citizens, and even criminals. Section notes introduce each letter to contextualize its themes and connection with other letters, opening a window to Cassiodorus’s world.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Maps

Introduction

Section I. Sixth-Century Italy in a Wider World

Section II. The Senate in Public Life and Public Office

Section III. Civil Bureaucracy and Administration in Italy

Section IV. Taxes and Finances

Section V. Administration of the Provinces

Section VI. Goths and the Military

Section VII. Urban Life

Section VIII. Rural Life

Section IX. Religion

Section X. Family and Gender

Section XI. Law, Order, and Conflict

Section XII. Intellectual Culture

Section XIII. Nature

Glossary

Concordance of Letters Cited in This Volume

Selected Bibliography of Related Reading

Index of Individuals

Index of Concepts, Peoples, and Terms

Index of Places

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9780520969728

0520969723

OCLC:

1233040460