Gerbert of Aurillac

Gerbert d'Aurillac (a.k.a. Pope Sylvester II)

French mathematician, astronomer and teacher who became Pope Sylvester II. He introduced the abacus to Western Europe, and was believed to be a magician.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Gerbert was born c. 946 in Belliac in the County of Auvergne. In 963, when he was aged about 17, he entered the Benedictine monstery of St Gerald of Aurillac, also in Auvergne.
When Count Borrell II of Barcelona visited the monstery in 967 the abbot asked him to take Gerbert with him to study mathematics in Catalonia, where he could study Arabic learning.

Education

Gerbert's passion for astronomy and mathematics was guided by Bishop Alto of Vich. He also studied at the Monastery of Santa Maria de Ripoli, whihc held a number of Arabic manuscripts from al-Andalus, particularly from Cordoba, where the library of al-Hakam II held thousands of manuscripts.
He also encountered Christian Mozarab bishops, who dressed and talked like Arabs and were well-versed in mathematics and natural science.

Employment

Gerbert met Pope John XIII and Holy Roman Emperor Otto I when he accompanied Count Borrell on prilgrimage to Rome in 969. The pope persuaded Otto to hire Gerbert as a tutor for his sin, the future Emperor Otto II.
In 973 Empoeror Otto allowed Gerbert leave to study at the cathedral school at Rheims, where he wanted to improve his knowledge of logic. He was soon appointed a teacher by Archbishop Adelberon.
Otto II appointed Gerbert abbot of Bobbio, in Lombardy, which had a large library of more than 600 volumes. There he wrote his great work De Geometria. But the abbey was in decline and he soon returned to Rheims and became in politics after the death of Otto II in 983, supporting Hugh Capet against King Lothair of France's attempts to take Lorraine from Empoeror Otto III. Hugh became King of France in 987, ending the Carolingian dynasty.
King Hugh made Gerbert Arhcbishop of Rheims in 991 following the deposing of Arnulf, successor to Adalberon, for treason. However, a synod declared Arnnulf's outing illegal in 995, and Gerbert spent several years as techer to Otto II and Pope Gregory V until his appointment as Artchbishop of Ravenna in 998.
Gerbert was elected Pope in 999 following the death of Gregory V, taking the name Sylvester II. He qwuickly confirmed his former rival Arnulf as Archbishop of Rheims, and took measures to stamp out simony and concubinage among the clergy. He felt only capable men leading spotless lives should become bishops.
He died on 12 May 1003.

Accomplishments & Achievements

Gerbert was one of the most noted scientists of his day.
He introduced the abacus to Christian Europe, basing his design on an Arabic model. His abacus was divided into 27 parts with 9 number symbols. WIth this he could perform speedy calculations. His abacus became widely used in the 11th century.
He also reintroduced the astronomical armillary sphere to Christian Europe, using it as a device to teach mathematics and astronomy. He designed and built a mechanical clock and hydraulic organ at Magdeburg Cathedral.
His written works include volumes on mathematics, theology and many letters.
Mathematics

• Libellus de numerorum divisione
• De geometria
• Regula de abaco computi
• Liber abaci
• Libellus de rationali et ratione uti

Theology and ecclesiastical works

• Sermo de informatione episcoporum
• De corpore et sanguine Domini
• Selecta e concil. Basol., Remens., Masom., etc.

Other works

• Acta concilii Remensis ad S. Basolum
• Leonis legati epistola ad Hugonem et Robertum reges
• Celebacy for the guarantee of our future

Failures & Embarrassments

Cardinal Beno of San Martino e Silvestro (fl. 1082-1098) claimed in his pamphlet Gesta Romanae ecclesiae contra Hildebrandum (Deeds of the Roman Church against Hildebrand) that Gerbert was a sorcerer who had learnt magick in Cordoba and Seville, allegations repeated in some detail by English historian William of Malmesbury (1095-1143) in De Gestis Regum Anglorum (The Lives of the Kings of the English).
The allegations were that Gerbert had stolen a book of spells from an Arabic scholar, and sold his soul to the devil (or a succubus named Meridiana) in return for advancement in the Church.
He is said to have created a bronze head which could predict the future by answering yes-or-no questions.
See The Sorcerous Pope

by From a German manuscript of c. 1000 AD

Ethnicity

French

Date of Death

12 May

Life

946 AD 1003 AD 57 years old

Birthplace

Belliac, Auvergne

Related Myths

• The Sorcerous Pope

Known Languages

Occitan, French, Latin, possibly Arabic