Background
The date of birth of Bernardus Silvestris is unknown. Bernardus Silvestris was born probably in Tours, Centre-Val de Loire, France.
(Bernardus Silvestris exemplifies the scholastic culture o...)
Bernardus Silvestris exemplifies the scholastic culture of his time. Having studied with pioneers in philosophy and science, he became a renowned teacher of literary and poetic composition.
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2015
The date of birth of Bernardus Silvestris is unknown. Bernardus Silvestris was born probably in Tours, Centre-Val de Loire, France.
Little is known about the life of Bernardus Silvestris beyond his attachment to Tours. He lived and taught in Tours, where he owned a house near the church of Saint Martin — evidence of which has been found by André Vernet among property titles. It is possible that Bernard also lived and taught in other cities, such as Orléans.
Bernard’s most famous work is the Cosmographia, a poetical cosmogony alternately in prose and verse, dedicated to Thierry of Chartres; it describes the creation of the universe (megacosmos) and of man (microcosmos). The Cosmographia is less a treatise on cosmogony than a dramatic interpretation of philosophical thoughts drawn from many sources: from the Timaeus, translated and commented upon by Calcidius; from Asclepius, Apuleius, Boethius, Macrobius, Martianus Capella, Ovid, and Virgil. Bernardus Silvestris died probably in 1178.
(Bernardus Silvestris exemplifies the scholastic culture o...)
2015Bernardus Silvestris was clearly in close touch with major developments in the Platonizing science and theology of the mid-12th century. His major work, the Cosmographia, an allegorical account of the creation of the universe and humankind, is dedicated to the philosopher-theologian Thierry of Chartres, who was probably his teacher.