§ 165. SMAKAGDUS. 709
§ 165. Smaragdus.
I. SMARAGDUS, abbas monastcrii Sancti Michael-is Virdunensis : Opera
omnia in Mignc, Tom. Oil. cols. 9-980 : with Pitra's notes, cols. 1111-1132. His Carmina are in Diinimler, Pcetce Latini cevi Carolini, I. 005-Oiy.
II. HAUKEAU: Singularity historiques et litteraires. Paris, 18G1 (pp.
100 sqq.) H. KEIL: De grammaticis quibusdam latinis infimcK wtatis (Program). Erlangen, 1868. Hist. lit. de la France, IV. 439-447. CEIL- LIER, XII. 254-257. BAHK, 3G2-3G4. EBERT, II. 108-12.
Of the early life of SMARAGDUS nothing is known. He joined the Benedictine order of monks, and after serving as principal of the convent school was elected about 805 abbot of the monas tery on Mt. Castellion. Sometime later he moved his monks a few miles away and founded the monastery of St. Mihiel on the banks of the Meuse, in the diocese of Verdun. He was a man of learning and of practical activity. In consequence he was highly esteemed by the two monarchs under whom he lived, Charlemagne and Louis the Pious. The former employed him to write the letter to Pope Leo III. in which was communicated the decision of the council of Aix la Chapelle (809) respecting the adoption of the Filioque, and sent him to Rome with the commissioners to lay the matter before the pope. He acted as secretary, and drew up the protocol. Louis the Pious showed him equal consideration, richly endowed his monastery, and in 824 appointed him to act with Frotharius, bishop of Toul (813- 837) as arbitrator between Ismund, abbot of Milan, and his monks. Smaragdus died about 840.
His writings show diligence and piety, but no originality. His published works in prose are : (I) Collections of Comments on the Epistle and Gospel for each holy day in the year* an un critical but comprehensive compilation from numerous ecclesi astical writers, prepared for the use of preachers, and described
1 Collectiones in epistnlas et evangel ia de tempore et de sanctis. Migne, CII. col 13-552.
710 FOUKTH PEKIOD. A. D. 590-1049.
by the author as a liber comitis. (2) The monk's diadem* a col lection in one hundred chapters of ascetic rules and reflections concerning the principal duties and virtues of the monastic life. It is for the most part a compilation. The sources are the Col lection es patrum of Cassian and the writings of Gregory the Great. Smaragdus made it after his elevation to the ahbotship and enjoined its daily evening reading upon his monks.2 It proved to be a very popular work, was widely circulated during the Middle Age, and has been repeatedly published.3 (3) Com mentary upon the rule of St. Benedict ,4 undertaken in aid of the monastic reforms instituted by the council of Aix la Chapelle (817). It is characterized by great strictness. (4) The Royal way? dedicated to Louis the Pious while king of Aquitania.6 It consists of thirty-two chapters of moral and spiritual coun sels, which if faithfully followed will conduct an earthly king into the heavenly kingdom. The work is really only an adap tation of the Diadem to the wants of the secular life. (5) Acts of the Roman conference? the protocol already alluded to. (6) Epistle of Charles the Great to Leo the Pope upon the procession of the Holy Spirit f the letter mentioned above. (7) Epistle of Frotharius and Smaragdus to the Emperor Louis,9 the report of the arbitrators. (8) A larger grammar or a commentary upon Donatus.10 His earliest work, written at the request of his
1 Diadema monachorum, ibid. col. 593-690.
' " Et quid mos est monachorum, ut regulam beati Benedicii ad capitulum leg ant quotidie matutinum : volumus ut iste libellus ad eorum capitulum quotidie legatur vespertinum (col. 593)."
» Paris, 1532, 1640; Antwerp, 1540; Bibliotheca Maxima, Lyons, 1677, Tom. XVI. pp. 1305-1342, and Migne, Patrol. Lat., CII., Paris, 1851.
4 Commentaria in regulum Sancti Benedicti, Migne, CII. col. 689-932.
6 Via regia, ibid. col. 933-970. 6 So Ebert, I. c. p. 111.
7 Acta collationis Romance. Migne, CII. col. 971-976.
8 Epistola Caroli Magni ad Leonem Papam de processione Spiritus Sancti, Migne, XCVIII. col. 923-929.
9 Epistola Frotharii et Smaragdi ad Ludovicum Imperatorem, Migne, CVI. col. 865-866.
10 Grammatica major seu commentarius in Donatum.