Thomas Aquinas, born of a noble family and related through his mother Theadora of Theate to the Hohenstaufen dynasty of Holy Roman emperors, was brought up in the original Benedictinemonastery at [Monte Cassino]?, but after studying at the [university of Naples]?, he eventually joined the Dominican order. Aquinas worked to create a philosophical system which integrated Christian doctrine with elements taken from Aristotle's philosophy. Generally he opposed the Neo-Platonic view of philosophy which, after Augustine had become tremendously influential amongst [medieval philosophers]?.
The life of Thomas Aquinas offers many interesting insights into the world of the High Middle Ages - he was born into a family of the south Italian nobility and was through his mother Countess Theadora of Theate related to the Hohenstaufen dynasty of Holy Roman emperors. His father's brother was abbot of the original Benedictinemonastery at [Monte Cassino]?, and the family intended Thomas to follow his uncle into that position; this would have been a normal career-path for a younger son of the nobility. However, after studying at the [university of Naples]?, Thomas joined the Dominican order, which along with the Franciscan order represented a revolutionary challenge to the well-established clerical systems of early medieval Europe.
Aquinas worked to create a philosophical system which integrated Christian doctrine with elements taken from Aristotle's philosophy. Generally he opposed the Neo-Platonic view of philosophy which, after Augustine had become tremendously influential amongst [medieval philosophers]?.
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Early in 1274 the pope directed him to attend the [Council of Lyons]? and he undertook the journey, although he was far from well. On the way he stopped at the castle of a niece and there became seriously ill. He wished to end his days in a monastery and not being able to reach a house of the Dominicans he was carried to the Cistercian? monastery of Fossanova where he died.
Early in 1274 the pope directed him to attend the [Second Council of Lyons]? and he undertook the journey, although he was far from well. On the way he stopped at the castle of a niece and there became seriously ill. He wished to end his days in a monastery and not being able to reach a house of the Dominicans he was carried to the Cistercian? monastery of Fossanova where he died.
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