Engelbert of Admont
Encyclopedia
Engelbert was Abbot
of the Benedictine monastery of Admont in Styria.
to study grammar and logic. After devoting himself for two years to these studies he spent nine years at the University of Padua
studying philosophy and theology.
In 1297 he was elected Abbot of Admont, and after ruling thirty years he resigned this dignity when he was almost eighty years old, in order to spend the remainder of his life in prayer and study. Engelbert was one of the most learned men of his times, and there was scarcely any branch of knowledge to which his versatile pen did not contribute its share.
The best known of Engelbert's works is his historico-political treatise De ortu, progressu et fine Romani imperii, which was written during the reign of Emperor Henry VII (1308–1313). It puts forth the following political principles: a ruler must be a learned man; his sole aim must be the welfare of his subjects; an unjust ruler may be justly deposed; emperor and pope are, each in his sphere, independent rulers; the Holy Roman Empire
is a Christian continuation of the pagan empire of ancient Rome; there should be only one supreme temporal ruler, the emperor, to whom all other temporal rulers should be subject. He bewails the gradual decline of both imperial and papal authority, prophesies the early coming of Antichrist
and with it the ruin of the Holy Roman Empire and a wholesale desertion of the Holy See
. The work was published repeatedly.
Following are the most important of the other works of Engelbert which have been printed: De gratus et virtutibus beatae et gloriosae semper V. Marie ; De libero arbitrio ; De causâ longaevitatis hominum ante diluvium ; De providentiâ Dei ; De statu defunctorum ; Speculum virtutis pro Alberto et Ottone Austriae ducibus ; Super passionem secundum Matthaeum ; De regimine principum, a work on political science, containing sound suggestions on education in general; De summo bono hominis in hâc vitâ, Dialogus concupiscentiae et rationis, Utrum sapienti competat ducere uxorem; De musica tractatus, a very interesting treatise on music, illustrating the great difficulties with which teachers of music were beset in consequence of the complicated system of the hexachord
with its solmization
and mutation. The treatise was inserted by Gerbert
in his Scriptores ecclesiastici de musicâ sacrâ.
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
of the Benedictine monastery of Admont in Styria.
Life
He was born of noble parents at Volkersdorf in Styria, and entered the monastery of Admont about 1267. Four years later he was sent to PraguePrague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
to study grammar and logic. After devoting himself for two years to these studies he spent nine years at the University of Padua
University of Padua
The University of Padua is a premier Italian university located in the city of Padua, Italy. The University of Padua was founded in 1222 as a school of law and was one of the most prominent universities in early modern Europe. It is among the earliest universities of the world and the second...
studying philosophy and theology.
In 1297 he was elected Abbot of Admont, and after ruling thirty years he resigned this dignity when he was almost eighty years old, in order to spend the remainder of his life in prayer and study. Engelbert was one of the most learned men of his times, and there was scarcely any branch of knowledge to which his versatile pen did not contribute its share.
Works
His literary productions include works on moral and dogmatic theology, philosophy, history, political science, Holy Scripture, the natural sciences, pedagogy, and music.The best known of Engelbert's works is his historico-political treatise De ortu, progressu et fine Romani imperii, which was written during the reign of Emperor Henry VII (1308–1313). It puts forth the following political principles: a ruler must be a learned man; his sole aim must be the welfare of his subjects; an unjust ruler may be justly deposed; emperor and pope are, each in his sphere, independent rulers; the Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
is a Christian continuation of the pagan empire of ancient Rome; there should be only one supreme temporal ruler, the emperor, to whom all other temporal rulers should be subject. He bewails the gradual decline of both imperial and papal authority, prophesies the early coming of Antichrist
Antichrist
The term or title antichrist, in Christian theology, refers to a leader who fulfills Biblical prophecies concerning an adversary of Christ, while resembling him in a deceptive manner...
and with it the ruin of the Holy Roman Empire and a wholesale desertion of the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
. The work was published repeatedly.
Following are the most important of the other works of Engelbert which have been printed: De gratus et virtutibus beatae et gloriosae semper V. Marie ; De libero arbitrio ; De causâ longaevitatis hominum ante diluvium ; De providentiâ Dei ; De statu defunctorum ; Speculum virtutis pro Alberto et Ottone Austriae ducibus ; Super passionem secundum Matthaeum ; De regimine principum, a work on political science, containing sound suggestions on education in general; De summo bono hominis in hâc vitâ, Dialogus concupiscentiae et rationis, Utrum sapienti competat ducere uxorem; De musica tractatus, a very interesting treatise on music, illustrating the great difficulties with which teachers of music were beset in consequence of the complicated system of the hexachord
Hexachord
In music, a hexachord is a collection of six pitch classes including six-note segments of a scale or tone row. The term was adopted in the Middle Ages and adapted in the twentieth-century in Milton Babbitt's serial theory.-Middle Ages:...
with its solmization
Solmization
Solmization is a system of attributing a distinct syllable to each note in a musical scale. Various forms of solmization are in use and have been used throughout the world.In Europe and North America, solfège is the convention used most often...
and mutation. The treatise was inserted by Gerbert
Gerbert
Gerbert is a Germanic given name, from gar "spear" and berht "bright".People with Gerbert as given name:* Gerbert of Aurillac, who became Pope Silvester II* Gerbert de Montreuil, French poet of the thirteenth century...
in his Scriptores ecclesiastici de musicâ sacrâ.