Sylvester II

Sylvester II, c.945–1003, pope (999–1003), a Frenchman (b. Auvergne) named Gerbert; successor of Gregory V. In his youth he studied at Muslim schools in Spain and became learned in mathematics and astronomy. Returning to France, he began teaching in the bishop's school at Reims. In 991, Gerbert, now widely celebrated as a teacher, was elected archbishop of Reims; but his predecessor had been deposed illegally, and eventually (995) Gerbert's election was nullified. He joined Holy Roman Emperor Otto III as his teacher and went with him to Italy, where Pope Gregory V made him archbishop of Ravenna. Upon Gregory's death, Otto presented Gerbert as his papal candidate. As pope, Sylvester aided energetically in the Christianization of Poland and Hungary and worked closely with Otto in the restoration of the Holy Roman Empire. In the later Middle Ages his learning became legendary and was in popular belief transformed into skill at sorcery. He wrote on theology, mathematics, and the natural sciences. Sylvester was the first French pope, and of the popes of the 10th cent. he was the only one of distinction. He was succeeded by John XVII.

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Sylvester II

 orig. Gerbert of Aurillac

(born c. 945, near Aurillac, Auvergen, France—died May 12, 1003, Rome) First French pope (999–1003). Renowned as a scholar of logic and mathematics, he became archbishop of Reims (991) and of Ravenna (c. 998). Appointed pope by his former student, Otto III, Sylvester worked closely with Otto, strengthening papal authority in distant states such as Kiev and Norway as well as in Italy. He denounced simony, demanded clerical celibacy, and limited the power of the bishops. He wrote textbooks on mathematics, the sciences, and music and the philosophical work De rationali et de ratione uti (“Concerning the Rational and the Use of Reason”). According to legends that emerged shortly after his death, his great learning was the result of magical arts or the Devil's coaching.

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Sylvester II

original name Gerbert of Aurillac. c. 940--1003 ad, French ecclesiastic and scholar; pope (999--1003): noted for his achievements in mathematics and astronomy