Gildas

On the Ruin of Britain (eBook, ePUB)

Übersetzer: Giles, J. A.

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

In "On the Ruin of Britain," Gildas presents a poignant and somber reflection on the state of post-Roman Britain, revealing the moral decay and societal fractures that plagued the island during the 6th century. This work is marked by its mix of historical narrative and religious exhortation, employing a rhetorical style that oscillates between prophetic lamentation and admonitory invective. Gildas's prose reveals the tensions of a society grappling with the absence of Roman authority and beset by internal strife, thus providing crucial insights into early medieval culture and the psychological state of a nation in decline. Gildas, a cleric and renowned historian, is often considered a key figure in understanding the transitional period following the Roman withdrawal from Britain. His ecclesiastical background and acute sense of moral duty inform his critique of rulers and laypeople alike, positioning him as both a historian and a moral commentator of his time. Through this work, Gildas articulates the profound disillusionment felt by many and underscores the changing tides of power and belief in a tumultuous era. For readers interested in the interplay of history and morality, "On the Ruin of Britain" offers a compelling narrative that is as relevant today as it was in Gildas's time. This book not only enriches our understanding of early medieval Britain but also provokes reflection on the cyclical nature of civilization, making it an essential read for scholars, historians, and general readers alike.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: DigiCat
• Seitenzahl: 19
• Erscheinungstermin: 29. Mai 2022
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 8596547020233
• Artikelnr.: 64129750

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.