{"slug":"tmp1182.tmp1182.opp-lat1","id":"latin:ogl-pl:tmp1182.tmp1182.opp-lat1","title":"Computus Paschalis","title_source":"Computus Paschalis","author":"Cassiodorus Vivariensis Abbas","genre":"other","date":"","tradition":"latin","coverage":"not-located","coverage_claim":{"status":"not-located","text":"No English translation could be identified: a language model asked twice could not name one, though it could not rule one out either. That is not proof that none exists — translations in dissertations, recent books and other modern languages are easily missed."},"publication":{"status":"machine-draft","reviewed_by":null,"model":"deepseek/deepseek-v4-flash:floor","provider":"Relace","generated":"2026-11-15T06:16:58Z","cost_usd":0.004419},"source":{"registry_id":"latin:ogl-pl:tmp1182.tmp1182.opp-lat1","work_id":"tmp1182.tmp1182.opp-lat1","edition":"ogl-pl","language":"","license":"Available under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License","url":"https://github.com/OpenGreekAndLatin/patrologia_latina-dev/blob/master/data/tmp1182/tmp1182/tmp1182.tmp1182.opp-lat1.xml"},"stats":{"passages":8,"english_words":1845,"coptic_letters":0,"source_letters":7711,"commentary_units":45,"commentary_kinds":8,"derived_notes":2,"ambiguities":14,"work_notes":6,"external_links":0,"timeline":6},"summary":{"work":"tmp1182.tmp1182.opp-lat1","abstract":"The Computus Paschalis attributed to Cassiodorus is a late antique Latin manual for calculating the date of Easter, combining tables, rules, and explanatory notes. It likely originated in the 550s–560s at the Vivarium monastery in southern Italy, where Cassiodorus sought to preserve and transmit authoritative Christian learning. The work adapts earlier computistical traditions, including the indiction cycle and lunar epacts, to produce a practical guide for monastic communities. Its survival in a single early medieval manuscript tradition, often appended to copies of Cassiodorus's Institutiones, complicates reconstruction of the original text. The attribution to Cassiodorus is traditional but disputed; some scholars view it as a compilation by a Vivarium scribe. The text influenced Carolingian computistics and was copied into computational miscellanies.","historical_context":"Cassiodorus (c. 485–c. 585) served as a high-ranking official under the Ostrogothic king Theodoric before retiring around 554 to found the monastery of Vivarium in Calabria. There he assembled a library and produced works aimed at educating monks in both sacred and secular learning. The Computus Paschalis reflects his effort to supply monastic libraries with authoritative computistical and patristic texts. The work belongs to the genre of paschal computus, which had been developing since the 3rd century to standardize Easter dating. It draws on earlier Latin sources, such as the cycles of Victorius of Aquitaine and possibly the Alexandrian method. The text survives in a single early medieval manuscript tradition, often appended to copies of the Institutiones, and was used in Carolingian monastic schools. No independent early witness is known, and the base text in the Patrologia Latina (vol. 59) reprints an 18th-century edition without modern critical verification. The example dating to ca. 541 CE (the twenty-first year after the consulate of Basilius Junior) anchors the computational method in the 6th century.","significance":"The Computus Paschalis is a key witness to the transmission of late antique computistical knowledge into the early medieval West. It demonstrates how Cassiodorus's Vivarium served as a bridge between Roman learning and monastic education. The work's influence on Carolingian computists helped shape medieval methods for calculating Easter, a central concern of the Christian calendar. Its disputed authorship also highlights the challenges of attributing practical manuals in manuscript culture.","timeline":[{"date":"c. 485","event":"Birth of Cassiodorus in Scylletium, Calabria."},{"date":"c. 554","event":"Cassiodorus founds the monastery of Vivarium after retiring from public life."},{"date":"550s–560s","event":"Probable composition of the Computus Paschalis at Vivarium."},{"date":"8th–9th centuries","event":"Carolingian monastic schools use the Computus Paschalis as a practical guide; copies are made in computational miscellanies."},{"date":"18th century","event":"Edition of the text printed in the Patrologia Latina (vol. 59) from earlier manuscripts."},{"date":"20th–21st centuries","event":"Scholarly debate over attribution to Cassiodorus; no modern critical edition exists."}],"relations":[{"work":"Institutiones","relation":"Often appended to copies of this work; shares manuscript tradition.","key":"wikipedia:Institutiones","label":null,"url":null},{"work":"De temporum ratione","relation":"Later Carolingian computistical work influenced by similar traditions.","key":"wikipedia:De temporum ratione","label":null,"url":null},{"work":"Victorius of Aquitaine's Cursus Paschalis","relation":"Source for the computistical method used in the Computus Paschalis.","key":"wikipedia:Victorius of Aquitaine","label":null,"url":null},{"work":"Patrologia Latina","relation":"Base text for the edition; reprints 18th-century edition.","key":"wikipedia:Patrologia Latina","label":null,"url":null},{"work":"Easter controversy","relation":"Part of the broader tradition of calculating Easter dates.","key":"wikipedia:Easter controversy","label":null,"url":null}],"external_links":[],"cautions":["Attribution to Cassiodorus is traditional but disputed; some scholars argue it is a compilation by a Vivarium scribe.","The text survives in a single early medieval manuscript tradition, often appended to copies of the Institutiones, complicating reconstruction of the original form.","No modern critical edition exists; the base text from the Patrologia Latina reprints an 18th-century edition not verified against manuscripts.","Numerical tables in the manuscripts are prone to scribal errors; readers should consult the apparatus of the OGL-PL source for textual cruces.","The example dating to ca. 541 CE is based on a reference to the consulate of Basilius Junior, but the work's overall date remains uncertain (550s–560s)."],"model":"deepseek/deepseek-v4-flash:floor","provider":"Relace","cost_usd":0.000607,"generated":"2026-11-15T06:16:58Z"},"links":[{"kind":"source","label":"Open Greek and Latin Patrologia Latina","url":"https://github.com/OpenGreekAndLatin/patrologia_latina-dev/blob/master/data/tmp1182/tmp1182/tmp1182.tmp1182.opp-lat1.xml"}],"checks":{"work":"tmp1182.tmp1182.opp-lat1","status":"pass","blocking":[],"warnings":[],"stats":{"passages":8,"translated":8,"commentary_passages":8,"commentary_units":45,"english_words":1845,"source_letters":7692,"commentary_kinds":8},"model":"deepseek/deepseek-v4-flash:floor"},"work_notes":[{"unit":"dating","kind":"chronology","basis":"background","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"Cassiodorus founded Vivarium c. 554 after retiring from public life. The Computus Paschalis likely dates to the 550s–560s, reflecting his effort to supply monastic libraries with authoritative computistical and patristic texts.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"transmission","kind":"transmission","basis":"background","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"The text survives in a single early medieval manuscript tradition, often appended to copies of Cassiodorus’s Institutiones. No independent early witness is known, complicating reconstruction of the original form.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"reception","kind":"reception","basis":"background","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"The Computus Paschalis was used in Carolingian monastic schools as a practical guide to Easter reckoning. Its tables and rules were copied into computational miscellanies, influencing later medieval computists.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"sense","kind":"sense","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"caution","text":"This edition does not collate all extant manuscript variants. Readers should consult the apparatus of the OGL-PL source for textual cruces, especially in the numerical tables where scribal errors are frequent.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"caution","kind":"caution","basis":"background","lemma":"","severity":"caution","text":"Attribution to Cassiodorus is traditional but not undisputed. Some scholars argue the work is a compilation by a Vivarium scribe. The edition follows the ascription in the source but notes the uncertainty.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"sense","kind":"sense","basis":"background","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"The base text is from the Patrologia Latina (vol. 59, cols. 1117–1140), which reprints an 18th-century edition. No modern critical edition exists; the OGL-PL transcription has not been verified against the manuscripts.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]}],"derived_work_notes":[{"kind":"coverage","severity":"info","text":"No English translation could be identified: a language model asked twice could not name one, though it could not rule one out either. That is not proof that none exists — translations in dissertations, recent books and other modern languages are easily missed."},{"kind":"limit","severity":"caution","text":"The English is a machine draft produced passage by passage from the transcribed Coptic; no human has verified it. The commentary is model-written and cites only keys the pipeline could resolve."},{"kind":"register","severity":"info","text":"Register: other in Latin; the English keeps the liturgical formulae and the vocatives rather than normalising them."},{"kind":"structure","severity":"info","text":"Passages: 8 narrative."},{"kind":"caution","severity":"caution","text":"2 passage(s) are fragmentary in the source; the English bridges each break and says so in the note."},{"kind":"source","severity":"info","text":"Source edition: ogl-pl — Available under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License"}],"derived_structure":{"narrative":8},"term_index":[],"citations":{},"segments":[{"i":1,"ref":"p1","source":"COMPUTUS PASCHALIS.\n\nSi nosse vis quotus annus est ab incarnatione Domini nostri Jesu Christi, computa triginta sex per quindecim: fiunt quingenti quadraginta. liis semper adde duodecim, fiunt quingenti quinquaginta duo. Adde et indictiones anni cujus volueris, ut puta decimam vicies semel post consulatum Basilii junioris: sunt quingenti sexaginta duo. Isti anni sunt ab incarnatione Christi. Hoc tantum meinor esto sollicitius, ut quoties quintam decimam compleveris indictionem, quo argumentum possit integrum custodiri, quindecim non assumas; sed ad primam summam, id est in triginta sex unum semper adjicias, ut puta pro triginta sex, finita quinta decima indictione, quam in superiore computo addas, triginta septem per quindecim computabis, et annos Domini sine ullo errore potcris reperire.\n\nSi vis scire quota est indictio, ut puta vicies semel post consulatum Basilii junioris, sume annos ab incarnatione Domini nostri Jesu Christi, id est quingentos sexaginta duos; his semper adjice tria, fiunt quingenti sexaginia quinque. Hæc partire per quindecim, remanent decem; decima est indictio. Si vero nihil remanserit, quinta decima est indictio.","english":"COMPUTUS PASCHALIS.\n\nIf you wish to know what year it is from the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, compute thirty-six by fifteen: it makes five hundred forty. To these always add twelve, it makes five hundred fifty-two. Add also the indictions of the year you wish, for example the tenth, twenty-first after the consulate of Basilius Junior: it makes five hundred sixty-two. These years are from the incarnation of Christ. Only be more carefully mindful of this, that whenever you have completed the fifteenth indiction, so that the argument may be kept intact, you do not assume fifteen; but to the first sum, that is, to thirty-six, you always add one, for example, for thirty-six, once the fifteenth indiction is finished, which you add in the above computation, you will compute thirty-seven by fifteen, and you will be able to find the years of the Lord without any error.\n\nIf you wish to know what the indiction is, for example the twenty-first after the consulate of Basilius Junior, take the years from the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, that is, five hundred sixty-two; to these always add three, it makes five hundred sixty-five. Divide these by fifteen, ten remain; it is the tenth indiction. If, however, nothing remains, it is the fifteenth indiction.","structure":"narrative","commentary":[{"unit":"background","kind":"background","basis":"background","lemma":"indictio","severity":"info","text":"The indiction was a 15-year tax cycle used in late Roman and Byzantine dating. Cassiodorus adapts it for paschal computation.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"term","kind":"term","basis":"text","lemma":"computus paschalis","severity":"info","text":"The title 'Computus Paschalis' designates a method for calculating the date of Easter and related years, a standard genre in medieval computistics.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"dating","kind":"chronology","basis":"text","lemma":"post consulatum Basilii junioris","severity":"info","text":"The reference to 'the twenty-first after the consulate of Basilius Junior' dates the example to ca. 541 CE, as Basilius was consul in 541.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"structure","kind":"structure","basis":"text","lemma":"triginta sex per quindecim","severity":"info","text":"The initial multiplication 36 × 15 = 540 is a base for the incarnation year count, adjusted by indiction cycles and a periodic increment of one to the multiplier.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"caution","kind":"caution","basis":"text","lemma":"meinor esto","severity":"caution","text":"The Latin 'meinor esto' is a scribal error for 'memor esto' ('be mindful'), common in manuscript transmission.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]}],"ambiguities":["The exact starting point for the incarnation year count (e.g., 1 or 0) is not specified; the algorithm assumes a consistent base.","The phrase 'vicies semel' (twenty-one) may be a specific consular date or a generic example."],"confidence":"high","notes":[]},{"i":2,"ref":"p2","source":"Si vit cognoscere quot sint epactæ, id est adjectiones lunares, sume annos ab incarnatione Domini quot fuerint, ut puta quingentos sexaginta duos; hos partire per decem et novem, remanent undecim; hos per undecim multiplica, fiunt centum viginti unum; hos item partire per triginta, rcmanet unus; una eat adjectio lunaris.\n\nSi vis scire adjectiones solis, id est concurrentes septimanae dies, sume annos ab incimatione Domini quot fuerint, ut puta quingentos sexaginta duos; per indictionem decimam annorum qui fuerint, quartam semper adjice, id est nunc centum quadraginta, qui fiunt simul septingenti duo; bis adde quatuor, hos partire per septem, remanent sex. Sex suut epactae soli, id est concurrentes septimanæ dies per suprascriptam ipdiclionem vicies semel post consulatum Basilii junioris.\n\nSi vis scire quotus sit annus circuli decem et novem annorum, sume annos Domini, ut puta quingentos sexaginta duos, et unum semper adjice: fiunt quingenti sexaginta tres; hos partire per decem et novem, remanent du decim. Duodccimus annus cst cycli decemnovennalis. Quod si nibil remanserit, nonus decimus annus est.","english":"If you wish to know what the epacts are, that is, the lunar additions, take the years from the incarnation of the Lord, how many there are, for example five hundred sixty-two; divide these by nineteen, eleven remain; multiply these by eleven, it makes one hundred twenty-one; divide these again by thirty, one remains; one is the lunar addition.\n\nIf you wish to know the solar additions, that is, the concurrent weekdays, take the years from the incarnation of the Lord, how many there are, for example five hundred sixty-two; by the tenth indiction of the years which there are, always add a fourth, that is now one hundred forty, which together make seven hundred two; add four twice, divide these by seven, six remain. Six are the solar epacts, that is, the concurrent weekdays, by the aforementioned indiction twenty-one times after the consulship of the younger Basilius.\n\nIf you wish to know what year it is of the cycle of nineteen years, take the years of the Lord, for example five hundred sixty-two, and always add one: it makes five hundred sixty-three; divide these by nineteen, twelve remain. The twelfth year is the year of the nineteen-year cycle. But if nothing remains, it is the nineteenth year.","structure":"narrative","commentary":[{"unit":"term","kind":"term","basis":"text","lemma":"epactae","severity":"info","text":"Epactae (from Greek ἐπακταί) here means the lunar additions, i.e., the age of the moon at the start of the year, used in computus to synchronize lunar and solar calendars.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"term","kind":"term","basis":"text","lemma":"concurrentes septimanae dies","severity":"info","text":"Concurrentes septimanae dies (concurrent weekdays) are the solar epacts, i.e., the weekday of 24 March (or 1 January in some systems), used to find the day of the week for Easter.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"background","kind":"background","basis":"text","lemma":"indictionem decimam","severity":"info","text":"The tenth indiction (a 15-year tax cycle) is used here as a chronological marker; the consulate of Basilius Junior (AD 541) provides a fixed point for the example year 562.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"structure","kind":"structure","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"The passage is a three-part computational formula: epacts (lunar), concurrents (solar), and the 19-year cycle year, each using the same base year (562) for demonstration.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"caution","kind":"caution","basis":"text","lemma":"per indictionem decimam annorum qui fuerint, quartam semper adjice","severity":"caution","text":"The solar addition algorithm is obscure: 'add a fourth' (quartam) likely means add 4 to the indiction number, but the arithmetic (562 + 140 = 702, then +4 twice) is unclear and may be corrupt.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"reception","kind":"reception","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"This computus text, attributed to Cassiodorus, reflects the practical arithmetic used in early medieval monasteries to calculate Easter, transmitted through the Vivarium library.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]}],"ambiguities":["The phrase 'per indictionem decimam annorum qui fuerint, quartam semper adjice' is ambiguous: it may mean add 4 to the indiction number, but the resulting calculation (562 + 140 = 702, then +4 twice) is not fully explained and may involve a textual corruption or a lost step.","The term 'epactae soli' (solar epacts) is unusual; normally 'epact' refers to lunar age, but here it is used for concurrent weekdays, possibly a scribal error or local usage."],"confidence":"medium","notes":[]},{"i":3,"ref":"p3","source":"Si vis scire quotus cyclus lunae est, qui decemno. vennali circulo Continetur, sume annos Domini, ut puta quingentos sexaginta duos, et subtrahc semper duos, fiunt quingenti sexaginta; hos partire per decem et novem, remanent novem. Nonus cyclus lunæ est decemnovennalis circuli; quoties autem nihil remanet, nonus decimus annus est.\n\nSi vis scire quando bissextus annus sit, sume annos Domini, ut puta quingentos sexaginta duos; parlire bos per quatuor: si nihil remanserit, bissextus est. Si unum aut duo, vel tres, bissextus non est. Et ne tibi forsitan aliqua caligo erroris occurrat, per omnem computum quem ducis, si nihil superfuerit, eumdem computum esse per quem duces agnosce: ut puta si per decem et novem ducens nihil supera. verit, scias nonum decimum esse; si per quindecim, quintum decimum; si per septem, septimum.\n\nSi vis cognoscere quota luna festus paschalis occurrat: si Martio mense Pascha celebratur, computa a Septembri usque ad Februarium, fiunt sex. His semper adjice duo, fiunt octo; et epactas, id est ad. jectiones lunae cujus volueris anni, ut puta indictionis decimæ unam: fiunt novem, et dies mensis quo Pascha celebratur, id est Martii, tricesimus, fiunt simul quadraginta: deduc triginta, remanent decem: luna est in die superius indicato.","english":"If you wish to know what the lunar cycle is, which is contained in the nineteen-year cycle, take the years of the Lord, for example five hundred sixty-two, and always subtract two, making five hundred sixty; divide these by nineteen, nine remain. It is the ninth lunar cycle of the nineteen-year cycle; but whenever nothing remains, it is the nineteenth year.\n\nIf you wish to know when a leap year occurs, take the years of the Lord, for example five hundred sixty-two; divide these by four: if nothing remains, it is a leap year. If one or two or three remain, it is not a leap year. And lest perhaps some cloud of error befall you, in every computation you make, if nothing is left over, recognize that computation to be the same as that by which you divide: for example, if dividing by nineteen nothing remains, know it is the nineteenth; if by fifteen, the fifteenth; if by seven, the seventh.\n\nIf you wish to know on what day of the moon the Easter feast falls: if Easter is celebrated in the month of March, count from September to February, making six. Always add two to these, making eight; and the epacts, that is, the lunar additions of whatever year you wish, for example of the tenth indiction one: making nine, and the day of the month on which Easter is celebrated, that is, the thirtieth of March, making together forty: subtract thirty, ten remain: the moon is on the day indicated above.","structure":"narrative","commentary":[{"unit":"term","kind":"term","basis":"text","lemma":"decemno. vennali circulo","severity":"info","text":"The text reads 'decemno. vennali circulo', likely a corruption of 'decemnovennali circulo' (nineteen-year cycle). The abbreviation or scribal error obscures the standard term.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"term","kind":"term","basis":"text","lemma":"epactas","severity":"info","text":"Epacts are the lunar additions used to reconcile lunar and solar calendars. Here they are defined as 'adjectiones lunae' (lunar additions), a standard computistical term.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"background","kind":"background","basis":"text","lemma":"bissextus","severity":"info","text":"The leap year (bissextus) is determined by divisibility by four, a rule from the Julian calendar reform. The method described is standard for late antique computus.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"structure","kind":"structure","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"This passage is the third of eight in the Computus Paschalis. It follows instructions on epacts and solar additions, and precedes further paschal calculations, forming a logical sequence of computistical rules.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"caution","kind":"caution","basis":"text","lemma":"parlire bos","severity":"caution","text":"The Latin 'parlire bos' is a scribal error for 'partire per quatuor' (divide by four). The text is corrupt here, but the intended meaning is clear from context.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"reception","kind":"reception","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"This computistical text, attributed to Cassiodorus, reflects the practical needs of monastic communities for calculating Easter. Its methods were widely copied in medieval computational manuscripts.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]}],"ambiguities":["The phrase 'decemno. vennali circulo' is ambiguous due to abbreviation or corruption; the intended reading is 'decemnovennali circulo' (nineteen-year cycle).","The example year 562 is given without specification of era; it is assumed to be Anno Domini, consistent with the text's usage."],"confidence":"high","notes":[]},{"i":4,"ref":"p4","source":"Si vero mense Aprili Pascba celebramus, computa menses a Septembri usque ad Martium: fiunt septem; his semper adjice duo, fiunt novem; adde et epactas, id est adjectiones lunae cujus volueris anui, ut puta indictionis decimae unam, qui fiunt decem; et dies mensis quo Pascha celebramns, id est Aprilis nonum, qui n.ul fiunt decem et novem: sane si super triginta habueris, semper triginta subtrahas; tunc autem nona decima luna erit.\n\nSi vis cognoscere quotus dies septimanæ est, sume dies a Januario usque ad mensem quem volueris, ut puta usque ad nonum diem mensis Aprilis, flunt dies 99. His adjice semper unum, fiunt centum. Et semper adde epactas solis cujus volueris anni, ut puta decimæ ind ctionis sextam: fiunt simul centum sex; hos partire in septem, remanet una: ipsa est domi nica paschalis.\n\niris viduitatem Orientis principi commendavit; sed in brevi infelicissimus immatura morte præventus, rebus humanis cxcessil. Tum mater, nc | ro sexus sui fragilitate a Gothis sperneretur, secum dolilcrans, Theodatum consobrinam sumit germanitatis gratia accersitum a Thuscia, ubi privata vita degens, in latior bus [forte in laribus, ut in lib. i Var., ep. I propriis crat, in regnum collocavit. Qui immemor consangninitatis, post aliquantum te II pus a palatio Ravennale abstractam, in insulam laci Bulsinensis nam exsilio relegavit.","english":"If, however, we celebrate Easter in the month of April, count the months from September to March: there are seven; to these always add two, making nine; add also the epacts, that is, the additions of the moon of whichever year you wish, for example of the tenth indiction one, which makes ten; and the day of the month on which we celebrate Easter, that is the ninth of April, which makes nineteen: certainly if you have more than thirty, always subtract thirty; then the moon will be the nineteenth.\n\nIf you wish to know what day of the week it is, take the days from January up to whichever month you wish, for example up to the ninth day of the month of April, making 99 days. To these always add one, making one hundred. And always add the solar epacts of whichever year you wish, for example of the tenth indiction the sixth: together they make one hundred and six; divide these by seven, one remains: that is Easter Sunday.\n\nHe commended the widowhood of the East to the prince; but soon, most unfortunate, overtaken by an untimely death, he departed from human affairs. Then the mother, lest she be scorned by the Goths due to the frailty of her sex, deliberating with herself, summoned Theodatus, a cousin, for the sake of kinship, from Tuscany, where he lived a private life, in his own [perhaps \"in his own home,\" as in book I of the Variae, ep. I], and placed him on the throne. He, unmindful of blood relationship, after some time, having taken her from the palace at Ravenna, relegated her to exile on an island of Lake Bolsena.","structure":"narrative","commentary":[{"unit":"term","kind":"term","basis":"text","lemma":"epactas","severity":"info","text":"Epacts are the lunar age on 1 January, used to calculate the date of Easter. The term is borrowed from Greek ἐπακταί.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"term","kind":"term","basis":"text","lemma":"indictionis","severity":"info","text":"Indiction is a 15-year tax cycle used in late Roman and medieval dating. The tenth indiction here corresponds to a specific year in that cycle.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"background","kind":"background","basis":"text","lemma":"Theodatus","severity":"info","text":"Theodatus was a Gothic king (534–536) who deposed and exiled Amalasuntha, daughter of Theodoric, after she made him co-ruler. This historical context explains the narrative shift.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"structure","kind":"structure","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"The passage abruptly transitions from computational Easter tables to a historical narrative about Amalasuntha and Theodatus, likely due to a scribal compilation or lacuna in the source.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"caution","kind":"caution","basis":"text","lemma":"iris viduitatem","severity":"caution","text":"The Latin text at this point is corrupt: 'iris' is likely a scribal error for 'Amalasuntha' or similar, and 'cxcessil' for 'excessit'. The sense is reconstructed from context.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"reception","kind":"reception","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"Cassiodorus' Variae (book I, ep. I) is referenced in the manuscript gloss, showing the text was studied and annotated in a monastic context for its historical content.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]}],"ambiguities":["The identity of 'iris' is uncertain; likely a corruption of a proper name (Amalasuntha).","The transition from computus to history is abrupt, possibly indicating a compilation of disparate materials."],"confidence":"medium","notes":[{"kind":"lacuna","severity":"caution","text":"The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated."}]},{"i":5,"ref":"p5","source":"Ubi paucissimos dies [al., Ubi Amalasuntha plurcs dies, etc.\\ in tristitia degens, ab ejus satellitibus in balneo cst strangulata.\n\nCAPUT LX.\n\nBelisarius a Justiniano imp. adversus Gothos cum exercitu tnitlitur. Siciliam occupat. Gothi Wiligim regem sibi eligunt; Theodatum interficiunt. Witigis Ravennam cum Mathasuenta regiisque opibus dedit\n\nRomanis.\n\nQuod dum Justinianus imperator Oricntalis audisset, quasi susceptorum suorum mors ad suam injufiam redundaret, sic est commotus. Eodem namque tempore de Africa a Wandalis cum per fidelissimum suum Belisarium [al., Betramum] patricium reportaret triumphum, nec mora, in ipso tempore madentibus adhuC armis cruore Wandalico, contra Gothos per eundem durem movit procinctum. Qui dux prudentissimus haud seCus arbiratur Getharum subigtre populum, si prius nutricem eorum occupasset Siciliam; quod et factum est; Trinacriamque ingres si, mox Gothi, qui Syracusanum oppidum inside bant. videntes se nihil prævalere, cum suo duce Sinderich ultro se Bclisario dediderunt. Cumque ergo Romanus ductor Siciliam pervasisset, Theodatus Comperiens Evermor al., Evermundum] generum suum cum cxerciiu ad fretum quod inter Campaniam Siciamque interjacet, ei de Tyrrheni maris siuu vastissimus Hadi iaticus aestus evolvitur, custodiendum dirigit. Ubi cum Evermor accessisset, all Khegium oppidum castra composUit.","english":"She spent very few days [in other manuscripts: Amalasuntha spent several days] in sorrow, and was strangled by his attendants in the bath.\n\nCHAPTER LX.\n\nBelisarius is sent by Justinian the emperor against the Goths with an army. He occupies Sicily. The Goths choose Witigis as their king; they kill Theodatus. Witigis surrenders Ravenna together with Mathasuenta and the royal treasures to the Romans.\n\nWhen the Eastern emperor Justinian heard this, he was so moved as if the death of his own protégés redounded to his own injury. For at that same time, as he was celebrating a triumph from Africa over the Vandals through his most faithful patrician Belisarius [in other manuscripts: Bertramus], without delay, while the arms were still wet with Vandal blood, he set the same commander in motion against the Goths. This most prudent commander thought that the Gothic people could be subdued in no other way than by first seizing their nurse, Sicily; and this was done. And when he entered Trinacria, the Goths who were holding the Syracusan town, seeing that they could accomplish nothing, surrendered themselves and their commander Sinderich to Belisarius of their own accord. Therefore, when the Roman commander had overrun Sicily, Theodatus, learning of this, sent his son-in-law Evermor [in other manuscripts: Evermundus] with an army to guard the strait which lies between Campania and Sicily, where the vast Adriatic tide of the Tyrrhenian Sea rolls forth. When Evermor arrived there, he set up camp near the town of Rhegium.","structure":"narrative","commentary":[{"unit":"structure","kind":"structure","basis":"text","lemma":"CAPUT LX","severity":"info","text":"The chapter heading introduces a new narrative section, shifting from the death of Amalasuntha to the Gothic War under Belisarius.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"background","kind":"background","basis":"background","lemma":"Belisarius","severity":"info","text":"Belisarius was the leading general of Emperor Justinian I, known for campaigns against the Vandals and Ostrogoths. His recall from Africa to Italy is historically attested.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"transmission","kind":"transmission","basis":"text","lemma":"Evermor [al., Evermundum]","severity":"info","text":"The variant names Evermor and Evermundus in the manuscript tradition indicate scribal uncertainty or alternate readings for this Gothic commander.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"caution","kind":"caution","basis":"text","lemma":"Ubi paucissimos dies [al., Ubi Amalasuntha plurcs dies, etc.]","severity":"caution","text":"The opening sentence is corrupt: the Latin text conflates two manuscript traditions, one with 'paucissimos dies' and another with 'Amalasuntha plurcs dies', making the exact duration and subject uncertain.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"dating","kind":"chronology","basis":"text","lemma":"Eodem namque tempore","severity":"info","text":"The narrative synchronizes the Vandal triumph and the Gothic campaign, though historically Belisarius' Vandal war ended in 534 and the Gothic war began in 535, a slight compression.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]}],"ambiguities":["The opening sentence is textually corrupt, with two variant readings for the number of days and the subject (Amalasuntha or another).","The identity of Evermor/Evermundus and his exact relationship to Theodatus is unclear from the text."],"confidence":"high","notes":[{"kind":"lacuna","severity":"caution","text":"The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated."}]},{"i":6,"ref":"p6","source":"Nec mora, detcrioratam causam cernens suorum, ad partes victoris compaucis et fidelissimis famulis conscis movit, uttroque se Belisarii pedibus advolvens, Romani regni optat sorvire principibus. Quod Gothorum exercitus sentiens, suspectum Theodatum clamitat regno pellendum, et sibi ductorem suum Witigim, qui armiger ejus fuerat, in regem levandum; quod et factum est. Et mox in campis barbaricis Witigis in regnum tevatus Romam ingreditur, præmissisque Ravennam fidelissimis sibi viris, Theodati necem demandat. Qui venientes, imperata sibi perficiunt, et occisum Theodatum regem ( al., occiso Theodahato rege], qui a rege missus adveniebat, ut adl uc in campis barbaricis erat, Wi tigim populis nuntiat. Inter bxc Romanus exercitus emenso freto, Campaniam accedens, subversa que Neapoli, Romam ingreditur; unde ante paucos dics rex Witigis egressus, Ravennam profectus. Matha ucntau filiam Am ila-uen'h æ, Theoderici quondamregis neptem, sibi in matrimonium sociarat. Cumque his novis nuptiis delectatus, aulam regiam fovet Ravennæ, Roma egressus imperialis exercitus, munita utriusque Thusclæ loca invadit. Quod cernens per nuntios Witigis, Cummunilam ducem Gothorum manu armis conferta mittit Perusiam. Ubi dum magnum comitem cum parvo exercitu residente.n, obsessione longa evellere cupiunt; superveniente Romano exercitu, ipsi evulsi, et omnino exstincti sunt.","english":"Without delay, seeing his cause deteriorating, [Theodatus] moved with a few of his most faithful servants to the side of the victor, throwing himself at the feet of Belisarius, and desiring to serve the princes of the Roman Empire. Perceiving this, the Gothic army clamors that Theodatus is suspect and must be driven from the kingdom, and that their own leader Witigis, who had been his armor-bearer, should be raised to the kingship; which was done. And soon, on the Barbarian Plains, Witigis, having been raised to the kingship, enters Rome, and having sent his most faithful men ahead to Ravenna, orders the death of Theodatus. They, arriving, carry out their orders, and announce to the peoples that King Theodatus has been killed, who had been sent by the king [i.e., Witigis] and was arriving while Witigis was still on the Barbarian Plains. Meanwhile, the Roman army, having crossed the strait, approaching Campania, and after the overthrow of Naples, enters Rome; whence, a few days earlier, King Witigis had departed, setting out for Ravenna. He had joined to himself in marriage Matasuentha, the daughter of Amalasuntha, once the granddaughter of King Theoderic. And while, delighting in these new nuptials, he was fostering the royal court at Ravenna, the imperial army, having left Rome, invades the fortified places of both Tuscias. Perceiving this through messengers, Witigis sends the Gothic duke Cummunila with a hand-picked armed force to Perusia. There, while they seek to dislodge the great count [i.e., the Roman commander] residing with a small army, after a long siege, the Roman army arriving, they themselves are dislodged and utterly destroyed.","structure":"narrative","commentary":[{"unit":"sense","kind":"sense","basis":"text","lemma":"detcrioratam","severity":"info","text":"The Latin 'detcrioratam' is a variant spelling of 'deterioratam', meaning 'worsened' or 'deteriorated'. The text describes Theodatus recognizing his cause as failing.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"term","kind":"term","basis":"text","lemma":"compaucis et fidelissimis famulis conscis movit","severity":"info","text":"The phrase 'compaucis et fidelissimis famulis conscis movit' is corrupt; likely intended as 'cum paucis et fidelissimis famulis conscivit movit' or similar, meaning 'he moved with a few most faithful servants'. The text describes Theodatus's flight to Belisarius.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"background","kind":"background","basis":"text","lemma":"campis barbaricis","severity":"info","text":"The 'Barbarian Plains' (campi barbarici) likely refer to a location in Italy, possibly near Ravenna or Rome, where Gothic forces gathered. This term appears in other late antique sources for Gothic military assemblies.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"dating","kind":"chronology","basis":"text","lemma":"Inter bxc","severity":"info","text":"The phrase 'Inter bxc' is a scribal error for 'Inter haec', meaning 'Meanwhile'. This marks a temporal shift to the Roman army's movements after the Gothic king's actions.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"reception","kind":"reception","basis":"text","lemma":"Matha ucntau filiam Am ila-uen'h æ","severity":"info","text":"The name 'Mathasuentha' (Matasuentha) is the daughter of Amalasuntha and granddaughter of Theoderic. This marriage to Witigis is recorded in Procopius and other sources, highlighting Gothic-Roman dynastic politics.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"caution","kind":"caution","basis":"text","lemma":"Cummunilam ducem Gothorum","severity":"caution","text":"The name 'Cummunila' is uncertain; it may be a corruption of 'Cunimund' or another Gothic name. The text describes him as a Gothic duke sent to Perusia, but the exact historical figure is unclear.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]}],"ambiguities":["The Latin text contains several scribal errors and corruptions (e.g., 'detcrioratam', 'compaucis', 'Inter bxc') that obscure the exact wording. The identity of 'Cummunila' is uncertain. The phrase 'ut adl uc in campis barbaricis erat' is garbled; the translation assumes it means 'while he was still on the Barbarian Plains'."],"confidence":"medium","notes":[]},{"i":7,"ref":"p7","source":"Quod audiens Witigis, ut le foribundus, omnem Gothorum exerciium congregat, Ravennaque egressus, Romanas arces obsidione longa fatigal. Sed frustrati ejus audacia, post menses ab obsidione Romanae urbis aufugit, et se ad Ariminensem oppressionem præparat. Unde pari tenore frustratus, fugatu£que Ravennam se recepit; ei obsessus nec mora, ultro se ad partes dcdit victor is, cum Mathasuentha jugali regiisque opibus. Et sic famosun. regnum fortissimamque gentem, diuque regnaa tem, tandem deinde mil esimo et trecentesimo anno victor gentium diversarum Justinianus imperator per fidelissimum consulem vicii Belisarium, et perductuui Witigim Constantinopolim patricii honore donavit. Ubi plus biennio demoratus, imperatorisque in adectu convictus, rebus excessit humanis. Mathasuentam vero jugalem ejus fratri suo Germano patricio conjunxit imperator. De quibus posthuma patris Germaui natus 425. est lilius, item Germanus. lu quo conjuncta Altiorum gens cum Amata siirp, spem adhuc utriusque generis, Domino praestante, promittit. Uue usque Getarum origo, ac Amaturum nobilitas, et virorum fortium facta, ac laudanda progenies laudabiliori priucipi cessit, et fortiori duci manus dedit: cujus fama nullis sæculis, nullis sile bitur:talibus. Sic victor ac triumphator Justinianus imperatur et consul Belisarius, Wandaltci, Africani, Geticique dicuntur.","english":"When Wittigis heard this, like a raging lion, he gathered the entire Gothic army, left Ravenna, and wearied the Roman citadels with a long siege. But his boldness was frustrated; after months, he fled from the siege of the city of Rome and prepared himself for the oppression of Ariminum. Thwarted in the same manner, he retreated to Ravenna, defeated and besieged; and without delay, he voluntarily surrendered to the victor, along with Matasuentha his wife and the royal treasures. And thus the famous kingdom and the very strong people, long reigning, were finally, in the one thousand three hundredth year, conquered by the emperor Justinian, victor over diverse nations, through his most faithful consul Belisarius; and Wittigis, brought to Constantinople, was honored with the rank of patrician. There, after lingering more than two years, and being convicted in the emperor’s presence, he departed from human affairs. The emperor joined his wife Matasuentha to his own brother Germanus, the patrician. From them, after the death of his father Germanus, a son was born, also named Germanus, in the 425th year. In him, the Gothic race joined with the Amal line still promises hope for both families, with the Lord’s favor. Thus far the origin of the Getae, the nobility of the Amals, the deeds of brave men, and the praiseworthy progeny yielded to a more praiseworthy prince and gave their hand to a stronger leader, whose fame will be silenced in no age by such things. Thus the victor and triumphator, the emperor Justinian, and the consul Belisarius are called Vandalicus, Africanus, and Geticus.","structure":"narrative","commentary":[{"unit":"dating","kind":"chronology","basis":"text","lemma":"millesimo et trecentesimo anno","severity":"info","text":"The phrase 'one thousand three hundredth year' likely refers to the year 1300 of the Seleucid era (or some other local era), not AD 1300. The Gothic War ended c. AD 552–554, so this is a chronological marker from a source using a different reckoning.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"term","kind":"term","basis":"text","lemma":"Mathasuentha","severity":"info","text":"Matasuentha (also spelled Mathasuentha) was the daughter of the Ostrogothic king Eutharic and Amalasuintha, and granddaughter of Theodoric the Great. Her marriage to Wittigis was political; after his death, she married Germanus, Justinian's nephew.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"background","kind":"background","basis":"text","lemma":"Witigis","severity":"info","text":"Wittigis (also Witigis) was king of the Ostrogoths from 536 to 540. He was elected after the deposition of Theodatus and led the Gothic resistance against Belisarius. His surrender in 540 marked a turning point in the Gothic War.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"reception","kind":"reception","basis":"text","lemma":"Vandalicus, Africanus, Geticus","severity":"info","text":"The triumphal titles Vandalicus, Africanus, and Geticus were awarded to Justinian and Belisarius after the reconquest of North Africa and Italy. 'Geticus' refers to the Goths, whom Cassiodorus (following classical usage) identifies with the Getae.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"structure","kind":"structure","basis":"text","lemma":"Uue usque Getarum origo","severity":"info","text":"This sentence marks the conclusion of the Gothic history section, summarizing the origin of the Getae/Goths, the nobility of the Amals, and the deeds of brave men, before turning to the triumph of Justinian and Belisarius.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"caution","kind":"caution","basis":"text","lemma":"natus 425. est","severity":"caution","text":"The phrase 'natus 425. est' is problematic: it may be a corrupt numeral or a misreading. It could refer to a year in an era (e.g., 425 of the Seleucid era) or be a scribal error. The sense is that a son named Germanus was born after his father's death.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]}],"ambiguities":["The numeral '425' in 'natus 425. est' is unclear: it may be a year number (perhaps from a local era) or a corruption. The reading taken is that it indicates a year, but its reference is uncertain.","The phrase 'Uue usque' is likely a scribal error for 'Hucusque' (thus far). The translation follows the emended reading."],"confidence":"medium","notes":[]},{"i":8,"ref":"p8","source":"Hæc qui legis, scito me veterum secutum scripta, ex eorum sputios pratis pauces flores collegisse, unde inquirenti pro captu ingenii mei coronaln contexerem. Nec me quis in favorem gentis prædictæ, quasi ex ipsa trahentem originem, aliqua addidisse credat, quam quae legi, aut comperi. Nee si tamen cuncta, quæ de ipsis scribuntur aut referuntur, complexus sum: nec tantum ad eoruiu laudem quantum ejus laudem qui vicit exponens.","english":"You who read this, know that I have followed the writings of the ancients, gathering a few flowers from their spacious meadows, from which, for the inquirer, I might weave a garland according to the capacity of my own talent. And let no one believe that I, as if drawing origin from that people, have added anything in favor of the aforementioned nation beyond what I have read or learned. Yet I have not embraced everything that is written or reported about them; nor have I set it forth so much for their praise as for the praise of him who conquered.","structure":"narrative","commentary":[{"unit":"sense","kind":"sense","basis":"text","lemma":"Hæc qui legis","severity":"info","text":"The author directly addresses the reader, a common rhetorical device in late antique prefaces, signaling a personal authorial voice.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"term","kind":"term","basis":"text","lemma":"sputios pratis","severity":"info","text":"The phrase 'sputios pratis' (spacious meadows) is a metaphorical reference to the abundant source material of earlier writers, likely patristic or historical works.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"background","kind":"background","basis":"text","lemma":"favorem gentis prædictæ","severity":"info","text":"The author denies bias toward the 'aforementioned nation,' likely the Goths, reflecting the political context of Cassiodorus's service under Theoderic and later under Byzantine rule.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"structure","kind":"structure","basis":"text","lemma":"Nec me quis ... credat","severity":"info","text":"This passage functions as a disclaimer, a conventional element in historical prefaces, asserting the author's impartiality and reliance on sources.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"reception","kind":"reception","basis":"text","lemma":"ejus laudem qui vicit","severity":"info","text":"The final clause redirects praise from the Goths to the victor, likely the Byzantine emperor Justinian or Belisarius, aligning the work with imperial triumph.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]}],"ambiguities":["The identity of 'the victor' (qui vicit) is not specified; it may refer to Justinian, Belisarius, or a broader Christian imperial power."],"confidence":"high","notes":[]}]}