Leaf from the Letters of Saint Jerome (Epistola LXVI, “Ad Pammachium”)
Leaf from the Letters of Saint Jerome (Epistola LXVI, “Ad Pammachium”)
Place of OriginFrance
DateMid 15th century
Dimensions15 3/16 x 11 in.
ClassificationManuscripts
Credit LinePurchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey
Object number
1953.129II
Not on View
DescriptionLatin text; lettre de Somme
Label TextThis leaf comes from an early Latin edition of the Epistolae of Saint Jerome, one of the most influential Church Fathers of Late Antiquity. The visible passage is drawn from Epistle 66, addressed to Pammachius, a Roman senator and widower of Jerome’s close friend Paulina. Written shortly after her death, the letter praises her virtues and encourages Pammachius—who had turned to monastic life—to remain steadfast in his spiritual calling.
The text opens with Jerome’s counsel: “Prima virtus est monachi contemnere hominum judicia” (“The first virtue of a monk is to despise the judgments of men”). The letter proceeds to contrast worldly honor and Christian humility, warning that dignity becomes shameful when held by the unworthy. By invoking Cicero’s remark about Caesar, “non illos honestavit, sed ornamenta ipsa turpavit”, Jerome brilliantly merges Roman rhetorical elegance with ascetic theology.
15th century (late)
late 15th century
Mid 15th century
Mid 15th century
about 1400
late 13th century
mid 15th century
early 16th century
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