Philosophy Boethius: The Consolation of Philosophy [tr. Sedgefield], v1, 22 January 2010.

[Patricia]

Boethius [Anicius Manlius Severinus Boëthius][480–c524]
The Consolation of Philosophy [c.524]
Translated by Walter John Sedgefield [1866–1945]
King Alfred’s Version of the Consolations of Boethius. Done into Modern English, by Walter John Sedgefield Litt.D.
Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1900

Boethius was a Christian philosopher who achieved high office in the late Roman Empire, only to be imprisoned and eventually executed by the Ostrogoth usurper, Theoderic. This work was written during his imprisonment. Boethius has a vision of Philosophy, personified as a queen-like woman. She puts him straight when he complains about his lot.
Incidentally, Boethius was the first person to use the wheel of fortune as a metaphor.

I’m uploading three different translations today (by James, Cooper and Sedgefield) which vary widely in style.

King Alfred the Great translated Boethius into the English of his day. This is a version of that translation.
Should anyone want the notes and other critical apparatus, a complete html version may be found here:
http://oll.libertyfund.org/?option=c...html&Itemid=27

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