Orosius

For other uses, see Orosius (disambiguation).

Orosius
Miniature from the Saint-Epure codex
Bornc. 375/85 AD
Braga, Gallaecia
Diedc. 420 AD
Occupation(s)Theologian and historian
Academic background
Influences
Academic work
Main interests

Paulus Orosius (/ˈpɔːləs əˈroʊʒəs/; born c. 375/385 – c. 420 AD),[1][2][3] less often Paul Orosius in English, was a Roman priest, historian and theologian, and a student of Augustine of Hippo. It is possible that he was born in Bracara Augusta (now Braga, Portugal), then capital of the Roman province of Gallaecia, which would have been the capital of the Kingdom of the Suebi by his death.[4] Although there are some questions regarding his biography, such as his exact date of birth, it is known that he was a person of some prestige from a cultural point of view, as he had contact with the greatest figures of his time such as Augustine of Hippo and Jerome of Stridon. In order to meet with them Orosius travelled to cities on the southern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, such as Hippo Regius, Alexandria, and Jerusalem.

These journeys defined his life and intellectual output. Orosius did not just discuss theological matters with Augustine; he also collaborated with him on the book City of God.[5] In addition, in 415 he was chosen to travel to Palestine in order to exchange information with other intellectuals. He was also able to participate in a Church Council meeting in Jerusalem on the same trip and he was entrusted with transporting the relics of Saint Stephen. The date of his death is also unclear, although it appears to have not been earlier than 418, when he finished one of his books, or later than 423.[6]

He wrote a total of three books, of which his most important is his Seven Books of History Against the Pagans (Latin: Historiarum Adversum Paganos Libri VII), considered to be one of the books with the greatest impact on historiography during the period between antiquity and the Middle Ages. Part of its importance comes from the fact that the author shows his historiographical methodology. The book is a historical narration focusing on the pagan peoples from the earliest time up until the time Orosius was alive.[7]

Orosius was a highly influential figure both for the dissemination of information (History Against the Pagans was one of the main sources of information regarding Antiquity that was used up to the Renaissance) and for rationalising the study of history (his methodology greatly influenced later historians).[8][9]

  1. ^ David Rohrbacher, "Orosius," in The Historians of Late Antiquity (Routledge, 2002), pp. 135–137. Rohrbacher bases the date of birth on Augustine's description of Orosius as a "young priest" and a "son by age" in the period 414–418, which would place his age at 30 or younger. Rohrbacher further speculates (p. 137) that Orosius may have died in a shipwreck while attempting to return to Hispania after visiting Palestine and Africa since nothing is heard of him after 418, which is also the likely date of completion of his last book.
  2. ^ Buisseret, David (2007). The Oxford companion to world exploration. Oxford University Press. p. 112. ISBN 978-0-19-514922-7.
  3. ^ Zecchini, G. (2003). "Latin Historiography: Jerome, Orosius and the Western Chronicles". Greek and Roman Historiography in Late Antiquity: 317–345. doi:10.1163/9789047400189_011. ISBN 9789047400189.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference cavero22 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference caver35 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference cavero57 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference rabade377 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Torres Rodríguez, Casimiro, "Paulo Orosio…", p. 81.
  9. ^ Torres Rodríguez, Casimiro, "Paulo Orosio…", p. 82.