Chapter III: Isidore’s General View of the Universe

1. Introductory considerations 48
a. The difficulties in ascertaining the world-view 48
(1) Inconsistencies 48
(2) Unexplained preconceptions 48
b. Conditions favoring the construction of a world-view 49

2. The physical universe 50
a. Form of the universe 50
Question of the sphericity of the earth 50
Greek cosmology versus Christian cosmology 54
b. Size of the universe 54
c. Constitution of matter 55
The four elements 55
Properties 55
Cosmological bearing 57
Bearing on the physical constitution of man 59
Use of the theory in medicine 59
Phenomena of meteorology explained by the theory 60
Seasons 61
d. Parallelism of man and the universe 62

3. The solidarity of the universe 63
a. Strangeness of Isidore’s thinking 63
b. The conception of solidarity 64
c. Number 64
d. Allegory 65

4. The supernatural world 67
a. Contrast between mediæval and modern views 68
b. Method of apprehending the supernatural world 68
c. Relative importance of natural and supernatural 68
(1) In nature 68
(2) In man 69
(3) Asceticism 70
d. Inhabitants of supernatural world 70
(1) Theology 70
(2) Angelology 70
(3) Demonology 72

5. View of secular learning 73
a. Philosophy 73
(1) Conception of philosophy 73
(2) Attitude toward pagan philosophy 74
b. Poetry 74
c. Science 75
(1) Attitude toward pagan science 75
(2) Condition of pagan science 76
(3) Low place accorded to science 76
(4) Science harmonized with religious ideas 77
(5) Perversity of pagan scientists 78

6. View of the past 79
a. Pagan past as a whole dropped 79
b. Idea of the past dominated by Biblical tradition 79
c. Importance of Hebrew history 80

CHAPTER IV
ISIDORE’S RELATION TO EDUCATION

1. Problem of Christian education 81

2. Cassiodorus’ solution 82
a. Theology 83
b. The seven liberal arts 83

3. The educational situation in Spain 84

4. Isidore’s solution 85
a. Attitude toward the secular subject-matter 85
b. Comprehensive educational scheme 86
(1) First eight books of the Etymologies 86
(2) The higher and the lower education 87

5. Bearing of Isidore’s educational scheme on the development
of the universities 88

PART II
THE ETYMOLOGIES

BOOK I
ON GRAMMAR
Introduction 89
Analysis 92
Extracts 95

BOOK II
1. ON RHETORIC (chs. 1–21)
Introduction 105
Analysis 107
Extracts 111
2. ON LOGIC (chs. 22–30)
Introduction 113
Analysis 115
Extracts 115

BOOK III
1. ON ARITHMETIC (chs. 1–9)
Introduction 123
Extracts (chs. 1–9) 125
2. ON GEOMETRY (chs. 10–14)
Introduction 131
Translation (chs. 10–14) 132
3. ON MUSIC (chs. 15–23)
Introduction 134
Extracts (chs. 15–23) 136
4. ON ASTRONOMY (chs. 24–71)
Introduction 140
Extracts (chs. 24–71) 142

BOOK IV
ON MEDICINE
Introduction 155
Extracts 158

BOOK V
1. ON LAWS (chs. 1–25)
Introduction 164
Extracts (chs. 1–25) 166
2. ON TIMES (chs. 28–39)
Introduction 173
Extracts (chs. 28–39) 175

BOOKS VI-VIII
[THEOLOGY]
Introduction 183
Analysis 184
Extracts—Book VI. On the Books and Services of the
Church 185
Extracts—Book VII. On God, the Angels and the
faithful 192
Extracts—Book VIII. On the Church and the different
sects 196

BOOK IX
ON LANGUAGES, RACES, EMPIRES, WARFARES, CITIZENS,
RELATIONSHIPS
Introduction 207
Analysis 208
Extracts 208

BOOK X
ALPHABETICAL LIST OF WORDS
Extracts 214

BOOK XI
ON MAN AND MONSTERS
Analysis 215
Extracts 215

BOOK XII
ON ANIMALS
Introduction 222
Analysis 223
Extracts 223

BOOKS XIII AND XIV
[ON UNIVERSE AND EARTH]
Introduction 233
Analysis 233
Extracts—Book XIII. On the Universe and its parts 234
Extracts—Book XIV. On the Earth and its parts 243

BOOK XV
ON BUILDINGS AND FIELDS
Analysis 248
Extracts 249

BOOK XVI
ON STONES AND METALS
Analysis 252
Extracts 253

BOOK XVII
ON AGRICULTURE
Analysis 258
BOOK XVIII
ON WAR AND AMUSEMENTS
Analysis 258
Extracts 259

BOOK XIX
ON SHIPS, BUILDINGS AND GARMENTS
Analysis 261

BOOK XX
ON PROVISIONS AND UTENSILS USED IN THE HOUSE AND IN
THE FIELDS
Analysis 263

APPENDIX I
Isidore’s Use of the Word _Terra_ 264

APPENDIX II
Subdivisions of Philosophy 267

BIBLIOGRAPHY 270