The anonymous Life of Secundus details the biography of a philosopher active in Athens during the early 2nd century. This account, known in Latin as Vita Secundi Philosophi, centers on a figure who adopted a lifelong vow of silence following a tragic incident involving his own mother and a test of Cynic philosophy.
The Origin of Silence
The narrative states that Secundus was educated away from home as a young boy. Upon reaching adulthood, he sought to test the claim that every woman is a prostitute. He returned to his mother in the guise of a Cynic philosopher, concealing his identity with a beard and long hair. He persuaded her to sleep with him for fifty gold pieces. After he revealed his true identity the following morning, his mother committed suicide. Stricken by remorse and blaming his own speech for the catastrophe, he vowed to remain silent for the rest of his life.
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Reports of the silent philosopher reached the Emperor Hadrian, who summoned the man to his court. Hadrian threatened Secundus with execution if he refused to speak. Remaining steadfast, Secundus communicated his resolve through writing rather than verbal address. The Emperor eventually relented and allowed him to answer twenty philosophical questions by scribbling responses on a tablet. These inquiries included fundamental topics such as the nature of the universe, the definition of God, and the essence of beauty.
Medieval Popularity and Transmission
The story became widely circulated throughout the Middle Ages, with the oldest evidence appearing in a 3rd-century papyrus fragment. A complete manuscript reached France in 1167, brought from Constantinople by the monk Willelmus Medicus. His Latin translation facilitated further widespread dissemination. By the 13th century, an abridged version appeared in the Speculum Historiale, and by the 14th century, Secundus was included in the Liber de Vita et Moribus Philosophorum. His likeness was eventually carved into the Gothic choir stalls of Ulm Minster, reflecting an association with the resilience of Christian martyrs.
Fast facts
- Born: 0100
- Died: 0200
- Primary Language: Ancient Greek
- Residence: Athens
- Era: 2nd Century AD
- Key Source: Life of Secundus
- Translation Origin: Constantinople
Questions readers ask
Did Secundus actually exist?
The historical accuracy of the Vita Secundi Philosophi cannot be determined, as it remains the only source regarding his life.
Why was the story popular in the Middle Ages?
The narrative resonated with medieval readers because the philosopher's commitment to his vow was compared to the resolve of Christian martyrs.
