Page:The Classical Heritage of the Middle Ages.djvu/70

52 THE CLASSICAL HERITAGE [chap. beginners, the other for advanced students. He trans- lated and commented on Porphyry's 'Eio-aywyiy, or Introduction to the Categories of Aristotle. This work is likewise executed in two editions, one com- prisiDg two dialogues, the other, five books of greater length. These works are the foundation of mediaeval logic, and lie at the basis of mediaeval scholastic dis- putations as to realism and nominalism.^ They were scholastic interpretations of another's thought. The writer was himself interested in the question of the real existence of universal s. His methods of exposi- tion even in his more constructive works point to the methods of scholasticism, as may be observed by glanc- ing through his treatises on arithmetic and music.^ His influence was very weighty in establishing the trivium and quadrivium. So far the writings of Boethius appear merely learned and impersonal. It is otherwise with his De Consolatione Philosophiae. This final work of pagan eclecticism discloses an extraordinary situation. The author, a man of noble birth, apparently lofty char- acter, wide learning, and enlightened thought, occupy- ing a preeminent official position, is in prison under condemnation of death on a charge of treasonable conduct. And the monarch who has permitted or commanded this, and will permit or command the execution of this noble philosopher, is the most just and enlightened ruler as yet arisen from the Teutonic 1 Cf . Haurean, Hist, de la philosophie scholastique, Vol. I, Chap. IV and VI. They were superseded by the complete translations of Aristotle's works in the twelfth and thirteenth century. 2 Migne, Pair. Lat., Vol. 63. Cf . Maurice, Mediseval Philosophy, pp. 4-14.