Biography of Giles of Rome

(c. 1243/47-1316)

Giles was born, as his name suggests, in Rome to a wealthy family. Little is known about him or his parents, but in 1257 he joined the Order of Augustinian Hermits. Three years later he was studying in Paris at the Augustinian convent. Between 1269 and 1272, it is believed that Giles studied under Thomas Aquinas.

Giles of Rome was born circa 1243-1247, the exact date being unknown. as his name suggests, he was born in rome. little is known about his family or childhood, for lack of record. in around 1257 he joined the Order of Augustinian Hermits, and three years later went to Paris to study at the Augustinian convent. between the years 1269
and 1272, it is believed that he studied under Thomas Aquinas, learning theology and philosophy. Around 1270, Giles began writing his own theological and philosophical commentaries, focusing largely on Aristotle. What he wrote sparked a lot of controversy, because it had to deal with philosophical issues and doctrine that questioned longstanding doctrines of the Church. He also wroe criticisims of some Church Doctrines. The Condenmation of 1277 essentially denounced the teachings of Plato, Aristotle, and anyone else who ettempted to learn, teach or use arguments based in said philosophers. These people were excommunicated. Giles was among those accused of philosophical inqueries outside of what the Church taught, so he was forced to take refuge in France.

In 1281 Giles returned to Italy. Over the nexy few years he held several prestigeous titles within his Order, including Provincial and Vicar of the Prior General. Giles was reinstated as a Master of Theology at the University of Paris by Pope Honorous IV in 1285, so he taught there until 1291. After that he was General of the Augustinian Hermits, and finally Archbishop of Bourges in France. Needless to say, by this point, Giles was already a very, very
reknowned scholar and a Master of Theology. the Augustinians thus decreed that everything Giles had written, or would ever write, was to be considered the Order's official doctrine, which they would
completely defend and uphold as absolute.Giles' positions were highly political as well as theological. hence
while he made friends of some, he made enemies of others. pope boniface, for example, was a friend, whereas philip iv was a powerful enemy. when boniface died, much of Giles' political support died with him. Giles was still influential, in matters concerning the Knights Templar, for example. he died in avignon at the papal
curia in 1316

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