About Boethius: Boethius was a Roman philosopher of the 6th century and one of the men named as the "last Roman." He was also a Christian. Coming from a patrician family, Boethius was himself consul. He was imprisoned for treason and executed. While in prison he wrote about the consolation provided by his philosophy.
Occupation: Christian, Philosopher
Distinctions: Boethius was very well-educated and had worked on translating and interpreting the philosophy of Plato and Aristotle. Before he was executed under suspicion of disloyalty to his monarch, and while imprisoned, Boethius wrote On the Consolation of Philosophy, a Menippean Satire, and dialogue. Boethius is called the last of the Romans and is considered a Christian martyr.
Dates: Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius was born in Rome c. A.D. 480. He was executed around 525-6.
Offices: Boethius served as consul in 510. He served as magister officiorum for the [link url=http://historymedren.about.com/library/who/blwwtheogrt.htmEmperor Theodoric[/link].
Writings: The major work of Boethius is On the Consolation of Philosophy - Consolatio Philosophiae. He was translating and writing commentaries on the works of Plato and Aristotle when he died. He translated Porphyry's Isagogue. Boethius also wrote De Institutione Arithmetic Libri II, De Institutione Music Libri V, and Geometria Euclidis a Boethio in Latinum translata.
Honors: Boethius has been honored in the naming of craters on the moon and mercury, both called Crater Boethius.
