Der Philosoph als Nekromant: Gerbert von Aurillac (Silvester II.) und Vergil im europäischen Hochmittelalter

Ricklin, Thomas (2015) Der Philosoph als Nekromant: Gerbert von Aurillac (Silvester II.) und Vergil im europäischen Hochmittelalter. Interfaces: A Journal of Medieval European Literatures, 1. pp. 236-264. ISSN 2421-5503

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Abstract

[EN] The philosopher as necromancer is a commonplace medieval reality. This paper traces how William of Malmesbury invents the figure of a necromantic philosopher in the person of Gerbert of Aurillac. This new image of the philosopher, which William elaborates using many classical and religious reminiscences, gave personal expression, at the beginning of the 12th century, primarily to fears generated by new knowledge arriving from Arabic sources. As a figure inspiring terror, however, the necromantic philosopher did not exist for long. As the second part of the paper will argue, his disappearance owes nothing to scientific progress or religious enlightenment, but is rather connected with the emergence of a new cycle of legends. Virgil is their protagonist: in the new legends that begin to circulate in the late 12th century, the Latin vates becomes a kind of magician. He uses his magical powers, however, not so much for his own benefit as to help out his adopted hometown of Naples. Thanks to Virgil, or rather thanks to the new Neapolitan stories about him, the formerly evil necromantic philosopher turns into a good necromantic philosopher, whose newly positive image colours the representation of many great philosophers in the following centuries.

Tipologia del documento:	Articolo in rivista
Parole chiave:	Gerbert of Aurillac; Vergil; image of the philosopher; necromancer; Naples
Soggetto:	D History General and Old World > D History (General) > D111 Medieval History P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) > PN0441 Literary History
Depositato il:	21 Ago 2026 21:40
Ultima modifica:	22 Ago 2026 14:26
URI:	https://www.rmoa.unina.it/id/eprint/7956

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