The Library
1774 works catalogued century by century, from the literature the Bible was written among to the present — each with a note on what it is, why it lasted, and where to read it.
301–400
1 work
c. 386
Greek
Oration XXX
Libanius · c. 314 – c. 393
An appeal to Theodosius against the monks pulling down temples in the countryside — men in black, he says, who eat more than elephants and claim to be at war with stones. The temples are imperial property, the farmers have nothing else, and no law has authorised any of it.
901–1000
1 work
989 onward
Latin
The Councils of Charroux and Le Puy
Councils of bishops, backed by crowds and relics, excommunicate anyone who robs a church, strikes an unarmed cleric, or seizes a peasant's livestock.
1001–1100
2 works
c. 1081–1083
Latin
Anselm of Lucca · 1036–1086
A canon law collection assembled to support the reform papacy, with a book on the lawful use of force against schismatics that had no real precedent.
27 November 1095; recorded later
Latin
Pope Urban II · c. 1035–1099
The appeal that launched the First Crusade, surviving only in five differing accounts written after the expedition succeeded, each shaped by knowing how it turned out.
1501–1600
1 work
May 1525
German
Martin Luther · 1483–1546
A call to the princes to stab, smite, and slay the rebels, published as the risings were already being crushed and tens of thousands killed.
5 of 1774 works