A Handful of Peaceful Simple Men on The Hill: Monte Cassino Monastery

Year 2024, Volume: 13 Issue: 3, 1439 - 1458, 30.09.2024

Serpil Çılğın

https://doi.org/10.15869/itobiad.1457799

Abstract

Monte Cassino Monastery, founded by St. Benedict on the hills of Monte Cassino near Rome, Italy, in the Middle Ages, pioneered the formation of European culture and civilization and the development of Western medicine with its rich library and hospices where monks were educated and also served the patients. However, it was an important center of science and culture, offering a retreat to the leading scientists of its time (they were translating the works of Eastern scientists into Latin). Benedict's rule had three basic principles: peace, reading, and manual labor. The monastery established close relations with political and religious authorities, as it enjoyed the support of the nobility and also recruited the children of the aristocracy into its ranks. Later, with many monasteries and a chain of monasteries established in line with the teachings of St. Benedict, he contributed to the formation of the cultural and political map of Europe. He had indirect influences on the events of his time through his close relations with the leading religious and political actors of his age (papacy and royalty, nobility). During the reform movement, it was one of the leading figures of its time. And also supported the reforms of Pope Gregory VII. During the abbacy of Desiderius II. the monastery had good relations with the East Roman Empire, and as due result Byzantine art was imported to the West. In addition, it played an active role in the First Crusade by hosting the Crusaders on their way and with the loans it gave. The Abbey of Monte Cassino significantly influenced the scientific, cultural, and political life of Europe. This study aims to explore the impact of Benedictine Monte Cassino Monastery on Western Europe’s scientific, cultural, and political arena.

Keywords

Crusade, Europe, Monte Cassino, Politics, Science

Tepedeki Barışçıl Basit Adamlar: Monte Cassino Manastırı

Abstract

Orta Çağ’da İtalya, Roma yakınlarında Monte Cassino’nun tepelerinde Aziz Benedict tarafından kurulan Monte Cassino Manastırı Avrupa kültür ve medeniyetinin oluşumuna zengin kütüphanesi, keşişlerin eğitim gördüğü ve aynı zamanda hastalara hizmet verdikleri bakımevleriyle Batı tıbbının gelişimine ön ayak oldu. Bununla birlikte, çağının önde gelen bilim adamlarına inziva mekânı sunmasıyla (doğulu bilim adamlarının eserlerini Latince’ye çeviriyorlardı) önemli bir bilim ve kültür merkeziydi. Benedikt’in kuralının üç temel ilkesi barış, kitap okumak ve ele emeği idi. Manastır soyluların desteğini aldığı ve aynı zamanda aristokrasinin çocuklarını kendi saflarına kattığı için siyasi ve dini otoritelerle yakın ilişkiler tesis etti. Daha sonraları Aziz Benedict’in öğretileri doğrultusunda kurulan pek çok manastır ve manastırlar zinciriyle Avrupa’nın kültürel ve siyasi haritasının oluşuma katkıları oldu. Çağının önde gelen dini ve siyasi aktörleriyle (papalık ve kraliyet, soylular) kurduğu yakın ilişkilerle döneminin olaylarına dolaylı etkiler yaptı. Reform hareketi sırasında zamanının önde gelen isimlerinden biriydi. Ayrıca Papa VII. Gregory'nin reformlarını da destekledi. Desiderius II'nin başrahipliği sırasında. Manastırın Doğu Roma İmparatorluğu ile iyi ilişkileri vardı ve bunun sonucunda Bizans sanatı Batı'ya ithal edildi. Ayrıca yola çıkan Haçlılara ev sahipliği yapması ve verdiği kredilerle I. Haçlı Seferi’nde etkin bir rol oynadı. Monte Cassino Manastırı, Avrupa'nın bilimsel, kültürel ve politik yaşamını önemli ölçüde etkiledi. Desiderius zamanında altın çağını yaşayan manastır aynı zamanda mimari alanda da gelişmelere sahne oldu. Monte Cassino Manastırı Avrupa’nın bilimsel kültürel ve siyasi hayatını önemli ölçüde etkiledi. Bu çalışma, Benedikten Monte Cassino Manastırı'nın Batı Avrupa'nın bilim, kültür ve politik arenasındaki etkilerini incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır

Keywords

Haçlı, Avrupa, Monte Cassino, Politika, Bilim, Kültür

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