(“On the Twelve Abuses of the World”), also titled simply De duodecim abusivis, or between 630 and 650. During the Middle Ages, the work was very popular throughout Europe.
Origin
In the manuscripts, the work is frequently ascribed to a named author, most commonly Saint Cyprian or Saint Augustine; this led to early editions being published among the works of these authors.
In his 1909 edition, Siegmund Hellmann (de) adduced further evidence, establishing it as the work of an anonymous Irish author of the 7th century. these citations are made from the Latin Vulgate. Hellmann regarded the ordering of the text into twelve abuses as a reversal of the twelve steps of the ladder of humility from the seventh chapter of the Rule. Meanwhile, Joyce argues it adapts the model of linguistic abuses from the twelve vices of grammar defined by Donatus.
The text also seems to have drawn on various of the Church Fathers, although none are cited by name; particularly, Origen, Cyprian, Ambrose, Augustine, Rufinus, Jerome, Cassian and Gregory the Great. did not.
Twelve abuses
thumb|right|A variation of the twelve abuses is inscribed on the twelve legs of the metaphorical Beast of [[Injustice in Guillaume Rouillé's Justicie atque Iniusticie.]]
De duodecim abusivis condemns the following twelve abuses:
{| class="wikitable"
!
!Abuse
|-
|
|the wise man without good works
|-
|
|the old man without religion
|-
|
|the young man without obedience
|-
|
|the rich man without almsgiving
|-
|
|the woman without modesty
|-
|
|the lord without virtue
|-
|
|the argumentative Christian
|-
|
|the poor man who is proud
|-
|
|the unjust king
|-
|
|the negligent bishop
|-
|
|the people without discipline
|-
|
|the people without law
|}
Influence
The work was very influential, both directly and through the Hibernensis; especially the ninth abuse, the unjust king. Ælfric of Eynsham drew on a version included in Abbo of Fleury's for his Old English treatise , in which the section on the was translated whole.
Hellmann points out the extensive influence of the work upon Carolingian writings, such as the mirrors for princes, and later political literature.
Later, the work was quoted by multiple medieval theologians and scholars such as Vincent of Beauvais and John of Wales. Translations and adaptations in multiple vernacular languages were prepared.
See also
- Wisdom literature
Notes
References
Further reading
- Breen, Aidan. "The evidence of antique Irish exegesis in Pseudo-Cyprian, De duodecim abusivis saeculi." Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 87 (1987), Section C. 71–101.
- Breen, Aidan, and Constant J. Mews, "On the Twelve Abuses of the Age. A Translation." Addressing Injustice in the Medieval Body Politic, ed. Constant J. Mews and Kathleen B. Neal, Amsterdam, 2023. 325-351.
- Meens, Rob. "Politics, Mirrors of Princes and the Bible: Sins, Kings and the Well-being of the Realm." Early Medieval Europe 7 (1998): 345–57.
- Ó Néill, Pádraig P. "De Duodecim Abusivis Saeculi". Dictionary of the Middle Ages. vol-4. 1989.
- Throop, Priscilla. Vincent of Beauvais: The Moral Instruction of a Prince with Pseudo-Cyprian: The Twelve Abuses of the World Charlotte, VT, MedievalMS, 2011.
- Ælfric's De octo vitiis et de duodecim abusivis gradus: the text in Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 178, ed. R. Morris, Old English Homilies. Early English Text Society 29, 34. First Series. 2 vols. London, 1868. 296–304; the text in London, British Library, MS. Cotton Vespasian D.XIV, ed. Ruby D.-N. Warner, Early English Homilies from the Twelfth-Century MS. Vespasian D.XIV. EETS 152. London, 1917. 11–9.
- Two Aelfric texts: The twelve abuses and the vices and virtues: An edition and translation of De duodecimo abusiuis and De octo uitiis et de duodecimo abusiuis, ed. and trans. Mary Clayton. Woodbridge, 2013.
External links
- Monastic Manuscript Project, De duodecim abusivis saeculi.
- Aidan Breen, 'Towards a critical edition of De XII Abusivis : Introductory essays with a provisional edition of the text and accompanied by an English translation', Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland) PhD thesis, Department of History, 1988, pp 488. PDF online at TARA.