ABSTRACT
Boethius is described in the context of the Roman Empire in the sixth century. Theoderic, king of a wandering people, the Ostrogoths, settled them within a third of Italy and became Vice Regent to the Roman emperor based in Constantinople. Entering public service and living in Rome, Boethius became entangled in divided loyalties. He was a Roman Christian and scholar of Greek philosophy and classical literature, and effectively practiced the seven liberal arts. The Goths were Arian Christians, and so, at a point of political crisis, Boethius’ official service to Theoderic was compromised by his theological loyalty to the official Papal doctrine. This resulted in his detention and death sentence, but it was these circumstances that provided the opportunity for Boethius’ final soul-searching composition. Biographical information is supplied on Boethius with emphasis on his scholarly engagement and close study of works by Plato and Aristotle, and his translations from Greek into Latin. The text and themes of The Consolation are introduced under the heading, ‘Philosophy’s Consolation’, and a final section lists the reception, influences, and relevance of the Consolation.
