The Consolation of Philosophy

By: Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius

Narrated by: Peter Wickham

Length: 4 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Charged with treason under Theodoric the Great in sixth-century Rome, Boethius served one year's imprisonment, awaiting trial and eventual execution. During this time, he wrote The Consolation of Philosophy, which would go on to be one of the most popular philosophical works of all time, contributing much to medieval thought and influencing the likes of Dante and Chaucer, as well as Renaissance writers, such as Milton and Shakespeare.

Grieving over the injustice of his imprisonment, Boethius meditates on the nature of God, the fickleness of fortune, the idea of free will, why bad things happen to good people, and the nature of happiness. His arguments take the form of a rich and exquisite dialogue between himself and Lady Philosophy and make many allusions to classical Greek and Roman literature in an attempt to create a coherent philosophy that supports his world view. It has been declared a "golden volume not unworthy of the leisure of Plato or Tully" (Edward Gibbon).

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Public Domain (P)2019 Naxos Audiobooks

The Bestseller for a 1000 Years

This work was the most read, spoken, translated and transcribed for over a millennium. King Alfred, Chaucer any Queen Elizabeth to name but a few. It had a huge influence on Tolkien. CS Lewis it was central and he wrote about it extensively in his academic works.

Boethius had reached the highest reaches of success. He had extensive riches. He was a council of Rome and the chief magistrate. A polymath who had written on Music, Theology and Philosophy. He had translated into Latin all the works of Plato and Aristotle.

He has influenced my Christian beliefs more than anyone else. But this is a work of Philosophy not Theology. He does not appeal to scriptures but to Plato, Aristotle and Homer. When he penned it had been exiled to a remote island. All his wealth seized, and savage lies had ruined his reputation. This work was finished a few days before his death. He was bludgeoned beyond recognition.

This translation is well suited to audible. The book alternates between prose and poetry. The narrator captures the beauty of this work.

The answer I was looking for

In the intense debate in my head between career advancement and tending my loved ones, the words from Boethius shed clarity. A beautiful mind from thousand years ago came to the saving grace!