21 moments

1. Birth at the Aquino family castle

   1225-01-01 · Roccasecca Castle, Roccasecca, Lazio, Italy

   

   Thomas Aquinas was born at the family castle of Roccasecca, near Aquino. Birth year is circa 1225; coordinates represent the castle ruins.

2. Early education at Monte Cassino

   1230-01-01 · Abbey of Monte Cassino, Cassino, Lazio, Italy

   

   As a child, Aquinas began his early education at the Abbey of Monte Cassino. Approximate year calculated from his circa-1225 birth year and the stated age of five.

3. Student at Naples

   1239-01-01 · Naples, Campania, Italy

   

   After conflict reached Monte Cassino, Aquinas was enrolled at the studium generale in Naples, now associated with the University of Naples Federico II. Coordinates represent central Naples near the historic university district.

4. Escape route through Naples

   1244-01-01 · Naples, Campania, Italy

   

   After his mother arranged his escape from detention, Aquinas was sent first to Naples before continuing to Rome to meet the Dominican master general. The source places this movement 'By 1244'; no more precise date is supplied.

5. Family imprisonment at Roccasecca

   1244-01-01 · Roccasecca Castle, Roccasecca, Lazio, Italy

   

   Aquinas was held by his family in its castles, including Roccasecca, in an unsuccessful effort to prevent him from entering the Dominican Order. The source gives a nearly year-long detention across two castles; 1244 marks its documented beginning/period.

6. Meeting the Dominican master general in Rome

   1244-01-01 · Rome, Lazio, Italy

   

   Following his escape from family detention, Aquinas went to Rome to meet Johannes von Wildeshausen, master general of the Dominican Order. The source places this movement 'By 1244'; coordinates represent central Rome.

7. Seized and returned to Monte San Giovanni Campano

   1244-01-01 · Castle of Monte San Giovanni Campano, Monte San Giovanni Campano, Lazio, Italy

   While traveling toward Rome after deciding to join the Dominicans, Aquinas was seized by his brothers and taken to the family castle at Monte San Giovanni Campano. The episode occurred when he was nineteen; 1244 is the supported year of his escape from family detention.

8. Study at the University of Paris

   1245-01-01 · University of Paris, Paris, France

   

   Aquinas was sent to Paris for study at the Faculty of the Arts and likely encountered Albertus Magnus there. Coordinates represent the historic Latin Quarter associated with the medieval University of Paris.

9. Study and teaching with Albertus Magnus in Cologne

   1248-01-01 · Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

   

   Aquinas followed Albertus Magnus to the new Dominican studium generale at Cologne and taught there as an apprentice professor. Coordinates represent central Cologne; the precise medieval studium site is uncertain.

10. Return to Paris for theological study

    1252-01-01 · University of Paris, Paris, France

    

    Aquinas returned to Paris to pursue a master’s degree in theology, lecturing on the Bible as an apprentice professor. Coordinates represent the historic Latin Quarter associated with the medieval University of Paris.

11. First Paris regency in theology

    1256-01-01 · University of Paris, Paris, France

    

    Aquinas began his first regency as master of theology at Paris, where he taught, presided over debates, and produced major early works. The appointment is dated only to early 1256.

12. Dominican general chapter at Valenciennes

    1259-06-01 · Valenciennes, Hauts-de-France, France

    

    Aquinas arrived at the Dominican general chapter at Valenciennes to participate in a commission promoting studies. Coordinates represent central Valenciennes; the chapter's exact venue is not specified.

13. Return to Naples as general preacher

    1260-09-01 · Naples, Campania, Italy

    

    After completing his first Paris regency, Aquinas returned to Naples and was appointed general preacher by the provincial chapter. The source gives the appointment date; coordinates represent central Naples.

14. Conventual lector at Orvieto

    1261-09-01 · Orvieto, Umbria, Italy

    

    Aquinas was called to Orvieto as conventual lector, responsible for pastoral formation of friars unable to attend a studium generale. Coordinates represent central Orvieto; the medieval Dominican convent's exact location is not specified.

15. Papal theologian and teacher at Santa Sabina

    1265-09-01 · Basilica of Santa Sabina, Rome, Lazio, Italy

    

    Aquinas took up direction of Dominican studies in Rome at Santa Sabina, the setting in which he began the Summa Theologiae. The source specifies that courses under Aquinas's direction began on this date.

16. Departure from Viterbo for Paris

    1268-11-01 · Viterbo, Lazio, Italy

    

    Aquinas left Viterbo with his secretary Reginald of Piperno on the journey to begin the Paris academic year. Coordinates represent central Viterbo.

17. Second Paris regency

    1269-01-01 · University of Paris, Paris, France

    

    Aquinas held a second term as regent master at the University of Paris, engaging in disputations and writing against Averroism. Card date is 1269 to distinguish the sustained second regency from his November 1268 departure from Viterbo; the source dates the term from 1268 to early 1272.

18. Regent master at the new Naples studium

    1272-01-01 · Naples, Campania, Italy

    

    Aquinas returned to Naples to establish a studium generale and serve as its regent master after leaving the University of Paris. The source dates the move to 1272; coordinates represent central Naples.

19. Lenten preaching in Naples

    1273-01-01 · Naples, Campania, Italy

    

    During Lent, Aquinas preached daily to the people of Naples while continuing work and lectures at the new studium. No specific church or day is supplied.

20. Convalescence at Monte Cassino

    1274-01-01 · Abbey of Monte Cassino, Cassino, Lazio, Italy

    

    While traveling toward the Second Council of Lyon, Aquinas became seriously ill and was escorted to Monte Cassino to recover. The source gives the year but not a more precise arrival date.

21. Death at Fossanova Abbey

    1274-03-07 · Fossanova Abbey, Priverno, Lazio, Italy

    

    Aquinas stopped at Fossanova Abbey after falling ill en route to Lyon and died there on 7 March 1274. The immediately preceding account states that he stopped at Fossanova Abbey after again falling ill.