Carey, William, ed., Abaelardi ad Amicum Suum Consolatoria (The Latin Library Website, 2004). View Source Online

Text name(s): Abaelardi ad Amicum Suum Consolatoria; Historia Calamitatum; The Story of My Misfortunes

Number of pages of primary source text: 0

Medieval Author(s): Abelard, Peter

Dates: 1079 - 1142

Archival Reference:

Original Language(s): Latin;

Translation: Original language included.

Translation Comments:

Geopolitical Region(s): France;

County/Region:

Apparatus:

Comments:

Peter Abelard was one of the great intellectuals of the 12th century, with especial importance in the field of logic. He is perhaps most famous for his affair with his student Heloise, but his influence over medieval scholasticism was immense. The Historia Calamitatum is an autobiographical work in the form of a letter, clearly influenced by Augustine’s Confessions. It is exceptionally readable, and presents a remarkably honest self-portrait. It provides a clear picture of intellectual life in Paris before the formalization of the University, of the intellectual excitement of the period, of monastic life, and of one of history’s most famous love stories. The Latin text, with no introductory material or scholarly apparatus, can be found on the Latin Library website.

Introduction Summary:

Cataloger: MK