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413 RELIGIOUS ENCYCLOPEDIA Siloam Inscription Silvester arithmetic, music, astronomy, and geometry, and the teacher became celebrated in France, Germany, and Italy. Some time during this period he held from Otto II. the abbey of Bobbio near Pavia, not later than the beginning of 983. As such he had a high position and took part in politics. Yet his position as abbot was rendered unpleasant by the possessions of the abbey, which made many his enemies. At the death of Otto II., he left the abbey, seeming to see decadence in Church and State, and went to Reims, intending to take up again his be loved studies. He again began to teach, having assembled a rich library; but he desired ecclesias tical activity, and became secretary of Adalbero and so participator in political affairs. The arch bishop was engaged heartily in the service of pro tecting and safeguarding the interests of Otto III., in which he was ably assisted by Gerbert. Adalbero was interested also in France; and in the elevation of Hugh Capet to the throne, after the death of Louis V., the influence of the archbishop and of Gerbert was seen. After the death of Adalbero, Gerbert naturally expected to be chosen to the see of Reims, but was passed over in favor of Arnulf, who soon became a partizan of the Lothringians, which led to the accusation of treason being lodged against Arnulf and his trial before a synod, where the question was raised concerning the jurisdiction of a synod over a bishop. Eventually Arnulf re signed his see and Gerbert was elected in his place. After this event, Gerbert because pronouncedly anti-papal, turning against the pope the saying " man must obey God rather than man," and de claring that if the pope sinned against a brother and did not listen to the Church, he is to be regarded as a heathen and a publican. Gerbert did not abide by his principles, however. In 991 John XV. sent as his representative to France and Germany Abbot Leo of St. Boniface in Rome, that he might investi gate the affairs of the see of Reims. At a synod called by Leo, June 2, 995, only four German bish ops were present, and the French bishops held aloof. The apology delivered here by Gerbert marks the beginning of his backward tendency, and attempted to show that part of the trouble arose through Rome's delay in answering. Gerbert was prohibited from exercising the duties of his office until decision was made. At a new synod of July 1, 995, Gerbert was sure of French support and therefore was bolder; but no decision was reached, and Gerbert thought things favorable to himself and went to Rome to carry out his plan of defense. Meanwhile John had died and Gregory V. had taken his place, and was engrossed with the idea of reform of the Church. The prospect was therefore not altogether favorable to Gerbert, and in France his support had grown lukewarm. But Gerbert was in close relations with Otto III., who admired his learning and valued his services and was admired and praised by Gerbert for his character and power. The favor of Otto was used with the pope in Gerbert's interests, and the latter was made arch bishop of Ravenna, 998, where he appeared as the furtherer of Gregory's plans for reform, taking part in synods concerned with that business. The death of Gregory in Feb., 999, led to the elevation of Ger-
bert to the papal chair as Silvester II., through the favor of Otto. Gerbert turned his back upon his past, recognized Arnulf as archbishop of Reims, assisted the emperor in carrying out his plans for reconstituting his kingdom, plans which were essentially anti-German. Yet pope and emperor were not entirely at one, Rome was committed to neither, and the death of Otto, Jan. 23, 1002, broke the prospects of realization of Silvester's plans and his further hopes of greatness. The next year the latter also died.
Silvester's writings included the subjects of dialectics, mathematics, and theology. His De corpore et sanguine Domini inquires whether the Eucharist and the historical body of Christ are identical. Silvester's reputation was principally for great learning, which was so great that he was accounted a sorcerer. He was not creative, however. He was an idealist in politics, and this gave an air of insincerity to his attempts, while self-seeking is not to be eliminated from the motives which ruled his action. As a consequence his pontificate is memorable for nothing of achievement in Church or State.
Paris, 1611; by A. Duchesne, in Historiat Francorum scriptores, ii. 789-844, 5 vols., Paris, 1636-49, whence they went into MPL, exxxix. 201-268; the (Euvres with life, by A. Olleris, Clermont, 1867; the " Letters," with introduction, by J. Havet, Paris, 1889 (best); earlier ed. in Bouquet, Recueil, vols. ix.-x.; the Opera mathematiea by N. Bubnov, Berlin, 1899. Bibliographies are to be found in: U. Chevalier, Repertoire des sources historiques du moyea dge, Paris, 1877; F. Cerroti, Bibliografia di Roma, Rome, 1893; and Potthast, Wegweiser, pp. 501502.
The primary source for a life are his " letters "-note eds. above in Opera and (Euvres. Consult. Mann, Popes, v. 1-120 (with a critical list of literature); C. F. Hock, Gerbert oder Papst Sylvester IL, Vienna, 1837 (best); M. M. B6dinger, Ueber Gerberts wiasenachaftliche and politische Stellung, Marburg, 1851; C. Prantl, Geschiehte der Logik im Abendlande, ii. 53-57, Leipsie, 1856; F. Lausser, Ger bert, Etude historique sur le z. silcle, Aurillae, 1866 (uses fresh material); E. de Barth6lemy, Gerbert, Nude sur sa vie et ses ouvrages, Paris, 1868; C. Queant, Gerbert, ou Sglvestre II. R le sikle de fer, Paris, 1868; A. von Reumont, Geschichte der Stadt Rom, vol. ii., Berlin, 1868; R. Baxmann, Politik der Papste, vol. ii., Elberfeld, 1869; 111. Sepet, in Revue des questions historiques, vii (1869), 440-523, viii (1870), 122-169; H. Reuter, Geschichte der religiusen Aufkl&rung im Mittelalter, i. 78-84, Berlin, 1875; K. Werner, Gerbert von Aurillac. Die Kirche and Wissenschaft seiner Zeit, Vienna, 1879; H. Weissenbora, Gerbert, Beitrap zur Kenntniss der :llathematik des Alittel alters, Berlin, 1888; K. Schulthess, Papst Sylvester ll. ass Lehrer and Staatarnann, Hamburg, 1891; idem, Die Sagen fiber Silvester IL, ib. 189:3; R. Allen, in English Historical Review, vii (1892), 625-668 (a prize essay); T. K. Sehloekwerder, Untersuchungen zur Chronologie der Briefe Gerberts, Halle, 1893; F. Gregorovius, Hist. of the City of Rome, iii. 466 sqq., London, 1895; F. J. Pieavet, Gerbert, un gape philosophe, Paris, 1897; J. Lair, Etudes critiques, i. 94 sqq., Paris, 1899; C. P., Les Popes fransais, Tours, 1901; E. Duehesne, Le Domostroi du pope Silvestre, Paris, 1904; Histoire litt&aire de la France, vi. 559-614; Ceillier, Auteurs sacrls, ii. 901-911; Schaff, Christian Church, tv. 777-782; Hefele, Conciliengeschichte, vol. iv.; Bower, Popes, iii. 331-333; Milman, Latin Christianity, iii. 202 sqq.
Silvester M.: Antipope 1044-46. See BMNF~ DICT IX.
Silvester IV.: Antipope 1102. See PASCHAL II.