DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.55699#0173
ROME.
137
violence and depravity which marked the characters of
so many of its founders. The history of ecclesiastical
Rome is thus sometimes tinged with the deepest hues of
tragedy, at others with the strange, uncertain colours
of popular legends; and amid the confusion which
prevails over its earlier portions, we are only able
to discern with certainty, that ambition had too often
the upper hand of piety, and passion the mastery over
all its fairest graces. Among the doubtful records of
the middle, and, in this respect, dark ages, traditionary
history has not a more curious passage than that in
which is recorded the singular achievement of Pope
Joan. This celebrated woman, according to common
report, was as remarkable for her various and power-
ful talents, as for her enterprising courage. She was a
native of Mentz in Germany 5 but having become attached
to an English monk, she resolved to devote herself to
him through life, and partake in his fate whithersoever
his labours might lead him. In order to do this, without
scandal to her lover, she assumed the dress of a man, and
thus disguised they travelled to Athens. Here she shared
in all the pursuits of the monk, profited by every means
of instruction which the city afforded, and shortly became
accomplished in all the learning and science of the age.
It happened, however, that soon after this, Joan lost
her lover, who was taken sick and died. Thus left alone
and unprotected in the world, she determined on pro-
ceeding to Rome, where she had no doubt her learning
and eloquence would readily obtain her respect and sup-
port. Still retaining, therefore, her male attire, she
hastened to the pontifical capital, and, as she had
137
violence and depravity which marked the characters of
so many of its founders. The history of ecclesiastical
Rome is thus sometimes tinged with the deepest hues of
tragedy, at others with the strange, uncertain colours
of popular legends; and amid the confusion which
prevails over its earlier portions, we are only able
to discern with certainty, that ambition had too often
the upper hand of piety, and passion the mastery over
all its fairest graces. Among the doubtful records of
the middle, and, in this respect, dark ages, traditionary
history has not a more curious passage than that in
which is recorded the singular achievement of Pope
Joan. This celebrated woman, according to common
report, was as remarkable for her various and power-
ful talents, as for her enterprising courage. She was a
native of Mentz in Germany 5 but having become attached
to an English monk, she resolved to devote herself to
him through life, and partake in his fate whithersoever
his labours might lead him. In order to do this, without
scandal to her lover, she assumed the dress of a man, and
thus disguised they travelled to Athens. Here she shared
in all the pursuits of the monk, profited by every means
of instruction which the city afforded, and shortly became
accomplished in all the learning and science of the age.
It happened, however, that soon after this, Joan lost
her lover, who was taken sick and died. Thus left alone
and unprotected in the world, she determined on pro-
ceeding to Rome, where she had no doubt her learning
and eloquence would readily obtain her respect and sup-
port. Still retaining, therefore, her male attire, she
hastened to the pontifical capital, and, as she had