Gildas

On the Ruin of Britain (eBook, ePUB)

A Jeremiad of Decline and Decay: Insights from Gildas' Doom-laden Critique
Übersetzer: Giles, J. A.

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

Gildas's "On the Ruin of Britain" is a profound historical treatise that illuminates the socio-political decay faced by post-Roman Britain in the 6th century. Written in a strikingly moralistic and contemplative tone, Gildas's work reflects on the spiritual and temporal failings of the Britons, intertwining his personal anecdotes with broader historical analysis. He employs vivid rhetoric and passionate appeals, engaging readers through invectives against the ruling classes while documenting the incursion of the Saxons and the disintegration of the once-strong Roman order. This work serves not only as a lamentation but also as a call to repentance, resonating with the themes of divine retribution and moral urgency prevalent in early Christian literature. Gildas, a cleric operating in a tumultuous period marked by the decline of Roman authority and the rise of barbarian factions, draws on his experiences as an observer and critic of his contemporaries. His context as a religious figure underscores his intentions to invoke moral consciousness among his audience. The unique blend of personal narrative and historical chronicling makes Gildas a pivotal figure in early medieval literature, providing invaluable insights into the transitional dynamics of Britain during this era. "On the Ruin of Britain" is essential for anyone seeking to understand the historical foundations of medieval Britain or the early Christian philosophical discourse. Gildas'Äôs compelling arguments and evocative language encourage readers not only to reflect on historical wrongs but to consider the moral responsibilities that persist across generations. This book remains a salient reminder of the cyclical nature of history and ethics.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: Good Press
• Seitenzahl: 115
• Erscheinungstermin: 16. März 2020
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 4064066106812
• Artikelnr.: 59234500

Autorenporträt

Gildas, a monastic figure of the 6th-century revered for his piety and scholarship, stands as a singular beacon of British history during the tumultuous period following Roman withdrawal from Britain. His seminal work, 'De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae' (On the Ruin of Britain), provides an invaluable narrative of the moral decline and political turmoil that beset the island during his lifetime. Although exact details about his life remain elusive, Gildas is thought to have been born in the very late 5th century, possibly in what is now Scotland. He is traditionally associated with the British church and is considered to have written his treatise in the first half of the sixth century, as it references events up to around 560. His work, lamenting the decadence of rulers and clergy alike, is part exposé, part jeremiad, marked by a plaintive and austere rhetorical style that reflects his monastic leanings. 'On the Ruin of Britain' is preserved in three parts: a preamble, a condemnation of British kings, and a denunciation of the British clergy. Gildas's influence endured, with his text serving as a source for later medieval writers, and it remains a cornerstone for historians grappling with the Dark Ages in Britain. A figure shrouded more in legend than in fact, his very life is as compelling as the ominous literary legacy he has bequeathed to the annals of British historiography.