# Macrobius

> ancient Roman author (5th century)

**Wikidata**: [Q313934](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q313934)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrobius)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/macrobius

## Summary
Macrobius was an ancient Roman author, philosopher, and polymath best known for his encyclopedic work *Saturnalia*, a pivotal compilation of Roman culture, literature, and traditions. Active in the 5th century CE, he served as a civil servant and contributed to fields including music theory, philology, and poetry, leaving a lasting impact on medieval scholarship.

## Biography
- **Born**: 370 CE  
- **Nationality**: Roman Empire  
- **Known for**: *Saturnalia*; polymathic contributions to philosophy, literature, and music theory  
- **Employer(s)**: Roman government (as a civil servant)  
- **Field(s)**: Literature, philosophy, music theory, philology, poetry  

## Contributions
- **Saturnalia** (401 CE): A seven-volume Latin work preserving Roman religious rituals, literary criticism, and philosophical debates. It became a critical reference for medieval scholars, influencing later writers and preserving classical knowledge.  
- **Interdisciplinary scholarship**: Integrated insights from music theory, philology, and poetry into his writings, demonstrating expertise across multiple disciplines.  

## FAQs
- **What was Macrobius' most famous work?**  
  His *Saturnalia* (401 CE), an encyclopedic treatise on Roman culture, remains his defining contribution.  
- **What roles did Macrobius hold?**  
  He was a civil servant, philosopher, writer, music theorist, philologist, and poet, reflecting his diverse intellectual pursuits.  
- **When did Macrobius live?**  
  Born in 370 CE, he died in 430 CE, working primarily during the early 5th century.  
- **Why is Macrobius still recognized today?**  
  A lunar crater bears his name, and his works remain foundational for studies of ancient Rome and medieval intellectual history.  

## Why They Matter
Macrobius’ *Saturnalia* preserved Roman knowledge that might otherwise have been lost, shaping medieval European scholarship. His interdisciplinary approach influenced later humanists and writers, ensuring the transmission of classical ideas. Without his compilations, key aspects of Roman religion, literature, and philosophy would be less accessible, altering the trajectory of Western intellectual history.

## Notable For
- Author of *Saturnalia*, a medieval scholarly cornerstone.  
- Polymathic expertise spanning philosophy, music theory, and poetry.  
- Namesake of a lunar crater, recognizing his historical significance.  
- Preservation of Roman cultural practices and literary traditions.  

## Body
### Early Life and Career  
Born in 370 CE in the Roman Empire, Macrobius pursued a career as a civil servant while engaging deeply with scholarly pursuits. His full name, *Macrobius Ambrosius Theodosius*, reflects his Roman heritage, though specific details about his birthplace and education remain undocumented.  

### *Saturnalia* and Literary Legacy  
Macrobius’ magnum opus, *Saturnalia* (compiled by 401 CE), is a seven-volume dialogue set during the Roman festival of Saturnalia. The work synthesizes mythology, astronomy, and literary criticism, featuring discussions on Homer, Virgil, and Roman religious practices. Its eclecticism made it a medieval bestseller, with copies circulating in monastic libraries for centuries.  

### Interdisciplinary Expertise  
Beyond literature, Macrobius contributed to music theory and philology. His analyses of rhythm and meter in Greek and Latin poetry informed medieval musical practices. As a philosopher, he explored Platonic ideas, bridging classical thought and early Christian theology.  

### Posthumous Recognition  
Macrobius died in 430 CE, but his influence persisted. The lunar crater *Macrobius*, named in his honor, commemorates his astronomical writings. His works were cited by scholars such as Dante and Chaucer, underscoring his role as a bridge between antiquity and the Renaissance.  

### Cultural Preservation  
By documenting Roman festivals, rituals, and intellectual debates, Macrobius provided future generations with a window into a fading pagan world. His writings thus serve as both a cultural time capsule and a testament to the enduring appeal of classical learning.

## References

1. [Geographicus Rare Antique Maps biographical dictionary of cartographers](https://www.geographicus.com/P/RareMaps/macrobiusat)
2. Integrated Authority File
3. Oxford Classical Dictionary
4. Mirabile: Digital Archives for Medieval Culture
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. BnF authorities
7. CiNii Research
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%28freeText0%29=Macrobius_Ambrosius_Aurelius_Theodosius)
10. CONOR.SI
11. Autoritats UB
12. Czech National Authority Database
13. Shakeosphere
14. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
15. Enciclopedia Treccani
16. LIBRIS. 2008
17. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
18. Provenio
19. HMML Authority File
20. Clavis Historicorum Antiquitatis Posterioris
21. Digital Scriptorium Catalog