Thomas Aquinas

Thomas Aquinas is believed to have been born on 28 January 1225 in Aquino, Kingdom of Sicily, Italy. His father was Landulf, count of Aquino and his mother was Theodora, countess of Teano. He was the youngest of eight children in the family. His family members were descendants of Emperors Frederick I and Henry VI and were considered to be of lower nobility.

After completing his early education, he was enrolled at the studium generale (university) recently established by Frederick in Naples in 1239. Here he was introduced to the works of Aristotle, Averroes and Maimonides, and was greatly influenced by their thoughts.

During this time he also became acquainted with John of St. Julian, a Dominican preacher in Naples who would play a key role in the young man’s choice of a career. At the age of 19, Thomas decided to join the recently founded Dominican Order, much to the chagrin of his parents.

His family made several attempts to dissuade him from taking the step; they even held him as a prisoner for about a year in the family castles at Monte San Giovanni and Roccasecca. His brothers tried to distract Thomas by hiring a prostitute to seduce him. But the young Thomas was determined to dedicate his life to religion and remained steadfast in his resolve.

His mother realized that Thomas would not change his mind and helped him escape from his imprisonment so that he could follow his heart. He first went to Naples and then to Rome to meet Johannes von Wildeshausen, the Master General of the Dominican Order.

Thomas Aquinas was ordained in Cologne, Germany, in 1250. He went on to teach theology at the University of Paris and also furthered his education under the tutelage of St. Albert the Great and subsequently earned his doctorate in theology.

He was appointed regent master in theology at Paris in 1256, a post he would hold till 1259. During his tenure, he wrote numerous works including ‘Questiones disputatae de veritate’ (Disputed Questions on Truth), ‘Quaestiones quodlibetales’ (Quodlibetal Questions), and ‘Expositio super librum Boethii De trinitate’ (Commentary on Boethius's De trinitate).

By the time his tenure ended, he had become quite famous and had gained a reputation for being an exemplary scholar. He spent many of the ensuing years preaching, teaching and writing, while also holding important positions, including that of a general preacher in Naples. He produced several works for Pope Urban IV such as the liturgy for the newly created feast of Corpus Christi and the ‘Contra errores graecorum’ (Against the Errors of the Greeks).

In 1265, he started teaching at the studium conventuale at the Roman convent of Santa Sabina where he taught the full range of philosophical subjects, both moral and natural. During this time he also began working on ‘Summa Theologiae’, his most important work.

He also wrote other important works such as like his unfinished ‘Compendium Theologiae and Responsio ad fr. Ioannem Vercellensem de articulis 108 sumptis ex opere Petri de Tarentasia’ (Reply to Brother John of Vercelli Regarding 108 Articles Drawn from the Work of Peter of Tarentaise).

Thomas Aquinas is best known as the author of the ‘Summa Theologiae’. Even though he could not finish the work, it is regarded as "one of the classics of the history of philosophy and one of the most influential works of Western literature”. The Summa covers topics such as the existence of God, creation of Man, Man’s purpose, Christ, etc. He also wrote several important commentaries on Aristotle's works, including ‘On the Soul’, ‘Nicomachean Ethics’ and ‘Metaphysics’.