Pope Sylvester II (or Silvester II) (c. 946 – 12 May 1003), born Gerbert d'Aurillac (Gerbert of Aurillac), was a prolific scholar, teacher, and Pope. He endorsed and promoted study of Arab/Greco-Roman arithmetic, mathematics, and astronomy, reintroducing to Europe the abacus and armillary sphere, which had been lost to Europe since the end of the Greco-Roman era. He was the first French Pope, reigning from 999 until his death. Due to his efforts to root out simony and other corruption within the Church, and his connection with science and intellectualism, there were many rumors and legends spread of Sylvester II being a sorcerer in league with the devil.
Read more about Pope Sylvester II: Life, Works and Teaching, Gerbert in Legend, Bibliography
Famous quotes containing the words pope and/or sylvester:
“His wit all see-saw, between that and this,
Now high, now low, now Master up, now Miss,
And he himself one vile antithesis.”
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744)
“On this I ponder where’er I wander,
And thus grow fonder, sweet Cork, of thee;
With thy bells of Shandon,”
—Francis Sylvester Mahony (1805–1866)