De duodecim abusivis saeculi

De duodecim abusivis saeculi ( "About twelve ills of the world" ) is a handed- anonymous Latin work of the 7th century on morals, ethics and legally correct behavior within society.

Genesis

Irish missionaries sent in the 8th century, the knowledge of the work to continental Europe. In the Middle Ages, the widely read work was attributed to Saint Patrick of Ireland, Augustine of Hippo and Cyprian of Carthage. In fact, it has, as Siegmund Hellmann 1909 noted as the first, written in the 7th century in southern Ireland by an unknown author who is also known in scientific discourse pseudo - Cyprian. Foundations were among other sources, the seventh chapter of the Rule of St. Benedict ( " Rule of Benedict " ) and the comment of Jerome to the Gospel of Matthew. Also principles of the original Irish law are to be found, especially in the section on justice of the King ( FIR flathemon ).

The twelve grievances

Immediately the twelve grievances are listed as headings with a brief comment and then dealt with individually by the author without further introduction. In this structure, the influence of the Rule of St. Benedict is to recognize, because as there each section begins with a definition of the subject under discussion. Based on more moral-theological considerations ( the way without good works, the old man without religion, ... ) are then also worldly matters addressed ( the unjust king, the lawless nation, ...). The grievance is then held against the corresponding virtue.

Reception

The plant, very popular in the 10th century, especially in England, worked well into the Renaissance and influenced about the unfinished Prince mirror ( " Institutiones principales ") of Michael Marullus.