# Paul the Deacon

> 8th century Benedictine monk, scribe and historian

**Wikidata**: [Q160424](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q160424)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_the_Deacon)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/paul-the-deacon

## Summary
Paul the Deacon (also known as Paulus Diaconus) was an 8th-century Benedictine monk, scribe, historian, and poet from the Kingdom of the Lombards. He is best known for his seminal work *History of the Lombards* (completed in 791), which remains a vital historical account of the Lombard people and their rule in Italy.

## Biography
- **Born**: 720 (exact place unknown)
- **Nationality**: Lombard (Kingdom of the Lombards)
- **Education**: Benedictine monastic training
- **Known for**: Authoring *History of the Lombards* and preserving early medieval history
- **Employer(s)**: Benedictine monasteries (including Monte Cassino)
- **Field(s)**: History, poetry, theology, and monastic scholarship

## Contributions
Paul the Deacon’s most significant work is *History of the Lombards* (791), a six-book Latin chronicle detailing the origins, migrations, and reign of the Lombard people in Italy. The text is a primary source for understanding the political and cultural landscape of post-Roman Italy. Additionally, he composed hymns, epigrams, and theological writings, contributing to Carolingian-era literature. His works were widely copied and influenced later medieval historians.

## FAQs
**What is Paul the Deacon’s most famous work?**
His *History of the Lombards* (791) is his most enduring contribution, offering a detailed narrative of the Lombard kingdom from its origins to the late 8th century.

**Was Paul the Deacon only a historian?**
No, he was also a poet and scribe, producing religious verse and theological texts alongside his historical writings.

**Where did Paul the Deacon live?**
He was associated with the Kingdom of the Lombards (modern-day Italy) and later worked in Carolingian courts, including under Charlemagne.

**Why is *History of the Lombards* important?**
It is one of the few surviving contemporary accounts of the Lombards, providing critical insights into early medieval Europe’s political and ethnic dynamics.

## Why They Matter
Paul the Deacon’s *History of the Lombards* is foundational for medieval historiography, offering a firsthand perspective on a pivotal Germanic kingdom. His work preserved knowledge of Lombard laws, customs, and conflicts, shaping later scholars’ understanding of the transition from antiquity to the Middle Ages. Without his writings, much of Lombard history would remain obscure.

## Notable For
- Author of *History of the Lombards* (791), a cornerstone of medieval historical literature
- Benedictine monk and scribe in the Carolingian Renaissance
- Poet and hymnwriter in the Latin tradition
- Key figure in preserving Lombard cultural and political history

## Body
### Early Life and Monastic Career
Paul the Deacon was born around 720 in the Kingdom of the Lombards, a Germanic successor state to the Western Roman Empire. He entered the Benedictine order, receiving monastic education and training as a scribe. His early life was shaped by the political instability of Lombard Italy, which later influenced his historical writings.

### *History of the Lombards*
Completed in 791, *History of the Lombards* is Paul’s magnum opus. The work traces the Lombard people from their mythical origins to their conquest of Italy in 568 and their subsequent rule until the late 8th century. It includes accounts of kings, battles, and religious conflicts, serving as both a political narrative and a cultural record.

### Other Works and Influence
Beyond his historical writings, Paul composed poetry, including hymns and epigrams, reflecting the religious and literary culture of his time. His works were circulated in Carolingian Europe, where they influenced later chroniclers. He also contributed to the preservation of classical and early Christian texts through his monastic copying efforts.

### Later Life and Legacy
Paul spent his later years in the service of Charlemagne’s court, where his scholarship was valued. He died in 799, leaving behind a body of work that remains essential for studying the Lombards and early medieval Italy. His *History* is still cited in modern historical research, underscoring its enduring relevance.

## References

1. LIBRIS. 2009
2. Mirabile: Digital Archives for Medieval Culture
3. Library of the World's Best Literature
4. BnF authorities
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. CiNii Research
7. Integrated Authority File
8. SNAC
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10. hymnary.org
11. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
12. Catalogue of the Library of the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas
13. Documenta Catholica Omnia
14. Trove
15. Catalogue of the Unione Romana Biblioteche Scientifiche
16. VcBA (identifier)
17. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
18. Czech National Authority Database
19. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Paulus%20Diaconus)
20. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index12.html)
21. CONOR.SI
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