When did Saint Thomas Aquinas live? Born on January 28, 1225, Saint Thomas Aquinas was a prominent philosopher, theologian, and Catholic priest who lived during the High Middle Ages. His life spanned from the end of the 13th century to the beginning of the 14th century, a period marked by significant intellectual and cultural developments in Europe.
Aquinas was born in Roccasecca, Italy, into a noble family. His father, Landulf of Aquino, was a member of the Norman nobility, and his mother, Theodora, was from a noble Greek family. Despite his noble background, Aquinas was sent to study at the University of Naples at a young age. It was there that he encountered the Dominican Order, a mendicant religious order, and decided to join it.
After his ordination as a priest in 1248, Aquinas spent several years studying at the University of Paris, where he became a student of the renowned philosopher and theologian Albertus Magnus. His time in Paris was pivotal for his intellectual development, as he was exposed to various philosophical and theological ideas that would shape his future work.
In 1252, Aquinas returned to Italy and was appointed to teach at the University of Paris. However, he faced opposition from the faculty and was sent back to Italy. During his time away from Paris, Aquinas traveled extensively, visiting various monasteries and studying with various scholars. He also spent time in the Holy Land, where he was influenced by the works of Islamic philosophers.
By the 1260s, Aquinas had returned to Paris and began to teach at the University of Paris again. It was during this time that he wrote many of his most influential works, including the Summa Theologica, which is considered one of the greatest works of Scholastic philosophy. The Summa Theologica covers a wide range of topics, including metaphysics, ethics, and theology.
In 1274, Aquinas attended the Council of Lyons, where he was tasked with reconciling the Eastern and Western churches. However, his health began to decline, and he returned to Italy, where he died on March 7, 1274. Despite his relatively short life, Saint Thomas Aquinas left a lasting legacy in the fields of philosophy, theology, and Catholicism. His works continue to be studied and revered by scholars and religious leaders alike, making him one of the most significant figures in the history of Western thought.
