The Antwerp Polyglot Bible, an eight-volume scholarly achievement published in 1572, stands as the most enduring contribution of Benito Arias Montano. A Spanish polymath, orientalist, and theologian, he navigated the complex intersections of royal patronage and religious orthodoxy during the late sixteenth century, ultimately shaping the landscape of biblical scholarship and cartography through his meticulous intellectual rigor.
Early Life and Academic Formation
Born in 1527 in Fregenal de la Sierra, Spain, Arias Montano pursued his formative studies at the universities of Seville and Alcalá. These institutions provided the foundation for his mastery of Latin, Spanish, and Hebrew. By 1559, he took religious orders, eventually becoming a clerical member of the Military Order of St. James. His early promise led him to serve as an advisor during the Council of Trent in 1562, an experience that distinguished him within ecclesiastical circles.
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In 1568, King Philip II summoned Arias Montano from his retreat in Aracena to oversee the production of a new multilingual edition of the Bible. Published by the Plantin Press, this work, titled Biblia sacra hebraice chaldaice, graece et latine, occupied him for years. Beyond serving as general editor, he authored significant portions of the scholarly apparatus. Following its completion, he traveled to Rome to secure the formal approbation of Pope Gregory XIII for the project.
Inquisitorial Scrutiny and Professional Tenure
Arias Montano faced significant opposition from León de Castro, a professor at Salamanca, who accused him of prioritizing original Hebrew texts over the Vulgate and incorporating excessive rabbinical commentary. These accusations triggered investigations by both Roman and Spanish inquisitors. After multiple legal journeys to Rome, he was cleared of charges in 1580. Despite being offered episcopal honors by the King, he chose a quieter life, eventually managing the Escorial library and teaching Semitic languages.
Cartographic and Literary Legacy
His intellectual output extended beyond theology. He designed a world map for the Antwerp Polyglot that held historical importance for early modern cartography, specifically for its early depiction of Tierra del Fuego as an island. His literary career included religious poetry and various prose works, most notably the 1593 volume Antiquitatum judaicarum libri IX, and a translation of the Itinerary of Benjamin of Tudela. He remained a dedicated scholar until his death in Seville in 1598.
Fast facts
- Born: 1527, Fregenal de la Sierra
- Died: 1598, Seville
- Education: University of Alcalá
- Award: Knight of the Order of Santiago (1560)
- Languages: Latin, Spanish, Hebrew
- Key Role: Royal Chaplain to King Philip II
Questions readers ask
Why was Arias Montano investigated by the Inquisition?
He was accused of prioritizing original Hebrew and rabbinical texts over the Latin Vulgate, a move critics claimed undermined the Council of Trent's decrees.
What was his primary contribution to cartography?
He designed a world map for the Antwerp Polyglot that was among the first to correctly portray Tierra del Fuego as an island.
Achievements
- Knight of the Order of Santiago
