3 - The Breviloquium de Virtutibus Antiquorum Principum et Philosophorum

Summary

The virtues were always a popular topic with medieval writers, in the thirteenth century as much as in any other, and the period c. 1250–1300 was one in which many friars were producing volumes of advice to princes. The subject of philosophers was becoming more popular in the thirteenth century, in association with the spread of Aristotelianism in the universities. John's Breviloquium is related to the general group of works on the virtues, and to the Fürstenspiegel, or volumes of advice to princes, but his combination of the two is unusual for his century, as is his inclusion of the philosophers. His Breviloquium de Virtutibus seems to stand at the intersection of three topics which were considered interesting and important in the period when it was written. Its presence at this intersection reflects John's deep-rooted personal interest in three areas: virtue, the great deeds of ancient men, and philosophy and philosophers. The fact that these interests were shared by many others, though not always as a threesome, must have contributed to the success of the work.

As its title suggests, John's Breviloquium de Virtutibus Antiquorum Principum et Philosophorum is a collection of exempla illustrating the virtuous behaviour of ancient princes and philosophers.