Looked at from the perspective of his death cell, the career of Boethius does not at first seem much of an argument for the belief that life makes sense. From being the favorite of fortune he has been cast down to the depths. He portrays himself as lamenting his fate until gradually, under the tutelage of Dame Philosophy, the wisdom he had laboriously acquired returned and served him as consolation. His reflections on his unjust treatment became a book which to this day is an all but necessary component of a liberal education.

Boethius was born into a distinguished Roman family around 480, a time when Italy was ruled by barbarian invaders whose legitimacy was grudgingly recognized by the Eastern emperors. His father, Aurelius Manlius Boethius, had served twice under the Visigoth Odoacer as prefect of Rome and once as praetorian prefect; in 487 he became consul.

Orphaned about 488, Boethius...