Gregory the Great

Also: Pope Gregory I, Gregory the Dialogist, Gregorius Magnus

Born probably between 538 and 542, in Roma (now Rome, Italy). Died in 604, in Roma (now Rome, Italy).

A Roman official who became a monk and then pope from 590 to 604. He wrote on the care of souls, sent missionaries to England and left more than 800 letters.

Wrote in Latin. A major author.

Places lived

540 to 579Roma (now Rome, Italy)prefect of the city, then monkyears probable
579 to 585Constantinopolis (now Istanbul, Turkey)envoy of the popeyears probableHe came back in 585 or 586.
586 to 604Roma (now Rome, Italy)abbot, pope from 590years probable

Works

6 works, in the order they were written. 4 works can be read here.

Morals on the Book of Jobc. 579 to 595 · probably in Roma (now Rome, Italy) · commentaryA very long moral commentary on Job.807,315 words
Pastoral Rule590 to 591 · in Roma (now Rome, Italy) · treatiseHow a bishop should live and how he should teach each kind of person.68,255 words
Homilies on the Gospels590 to 593 · in Roma (now Rome, Italy) · homilyForty sermons on the Gospel readings of the Mass.not yet on the site
Letters590 to 604 · in Roma (now Rome, Italy) · letterMore than 850 letters, with those on the mission to the English.288,316 words
Dialogues593 to 594 · in Roma (now Rome, Italy) · dialogueStories of the holy men of Italy; book 2 is the life of Benedict.65,855 words
Homilies on Ezekiel593 to 601 · in Roma (now Rome, Italy) · homilyTwenty-two sermons on the first and last chapters of Ezekiel.not yet on the site

How we know the dates and places

Born probable: Scholars say about 540. See Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, 3rd ed. rev. (2005), 'Gregory I'.
Place of birth sure: Gregory of Tours, Histories 10.1; Liber Pontificalis 66
Died sure: Liber Pontificalis 66 (12 March 604)
Place of death sure: Liber Pontificalis 66
Roma, years probable: Gregory, Register of Letters 4.2; Gregory of Tours, Histories 10.1
Roma, place sure: Gregory, Register of Letters 4.2; Gregory of Tours, Histories 10.1
Constantinopolis, years probable: Gregory, Morals on Job, letter to Leander
Constantinopolis, place sure: Gregory, Morals on Job, letter to Leander
Roma, years probable: Gregory of Tours, Histories 10.1; Gregory, Register of Letters
Roma, place sure: Gregory of Tours, Histories 10.1; Gregory, Register of Letters