Italy in the sixth century -- Cassiodorus as statesman and author -- The variae as an epistolary collection -- Nachleben -- The Variae in translation -- Chronology of key events -- Indictional years relative to Cassiodorus' tenure in public offices -- Maps -- Book 1 -- Book 2 -- Book 3 -- Book 4 -- Book 5 -- Book 6 -- Book 7 -- Book 8 -- Book 9 -- Book 10 -- Book 11 -- Book 12.
Summary:
"Cassiodorus-- famed throughout history as one of the great Christian exegetes of antiquity--spent most of his life as a high-ranking public official under the Ostrogothic King Theoderic and his heirs. In that pivotal period, he produced the Variae, a unique letter collection that gave witness to the sixth-century Mediterranean, as Late Antiquity gave way to the early Middle Ages. The Variae represents thirty years of Cassiodorus's work in civil, legal, and financial administration, revealing his interactions with emperors and kings, bishops and military commanders, private citizens and even criminals. Thus, the Variae remains among the most important sources for the history of this period and is an indispensable resource for understanding political and diplomatic culture, economic and legal structure, intellectual heritage, urban landscapes, religious worldview, and the evolution of social relations at all levels of society during the twilight of the late-Roman state. This is the first full translation of this masterwork into English"--Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.