Martianus Capella

Sabine Grebe (University of Guelph)

Ed. by Jula Wildberger, American University of Paris
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.1.2: Ancient Roman Writing and Culture (Republic and Empire), -750-476.
Vol. editors: Anca Dan (École Practique de Hautes Études PSL), Martine Diepenbroek (University of Johannesburg), William John Dominik (University of Otago), Giacomo Fedeli (University of Exeter), Victoria Fendel (University of Oxford), Thomas Habinek (University of Southern California), Emily Kneebone (University of Nottingham), Elodie Paillard (University of Sydney), Sophia Papaioannou (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens), Guendalina Daniela Maria Taietti (University of Liverpool), Jula Wildberger (American University of Paris)

Dates

Born c. 430
Died c. 500
Activity 475-c. 500

Places

Born in Ancient Rome (Republic & Empire)
Active in Ancient Rome (Republic & Empire)

Activities

Primary

Essayist
Poet

Resources

Martianus' Works

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During the transitional period from Late Antiquity to the Middle Ages, Martianus Capella composed the main textbook about the seven liberal arts that is transmitted from antiquity. This Latin encyclopedia in prose and verse was written in Carthage in modern Tunisia presumably between 475 (?) and 500 (?) CE. Subsequently, Martianus authored a short metrical treatise.

Very little is known about Martianus Capella since his own work is our main source of information about him. His difficult language and the poor transmission of his work present an additional obstacle to learn more about Martianus. His dates of birth and death as well as those of his active period are debated. The sources used by Martianus are not helpful, because the dates of their composition are also uncertain. Martianus

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1751 words

Citation: Grebe, Sabine. "Martianus Capella". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 11 November 2009 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=2961, accessed 22 November 2024.]

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