One of the greatest humanists of the Northern Renaissance, Erasmus of Rotterdam, was born in Holland in 1469. He was the illegitimate son of a servant and priest who died very early. He received his first education in 1478-1485 in a Latin school in Deventer, where teachers focused on the inner self-improvement of man through imitation of Christ.
At the age of 18, Erasmus of Rotterdam was ordered by the guardians to go to the monastery, where he spent six years among the novices. He did not like this kind of life, and he eventually escaped.
Erasmus of Rotterdam, whose biography has been rewritten thousands of times, was an interesting person. The writings of Lorenzo Villa, like other Italians, made a great impression on him. As a result, Erasmus began to actively support the humanist movement, which sought to revive the ancient ideals of beauty, truth, virtue and perfection.
Erasmus of Rotterdam received further education in Paris, between 1492 and 1499. He was listed at the theological faculty, but was engaged in the study of ancient literature. In 1499, Erasmus moved to England. There he was admitted to the Oxford Humanist Circle. Here he formed his philosophical and ethical system. In the years 1521-1529 Erasmus lived in Basel. Here he formed a circle of humanists. In addition, he traveled a lot and was interested in the culture of different nations.
The main questions Erasmus of Rotterdam was interested in concerned philology, ethics and religion. He studied and published the works of early Christian writers and ancient authors. Erasmus created and developed various methods of interpretation and criticism. Of great importance is the translation of the New Testament that he made. Correcting Christian sources and interpreting them, he hoped to renew theology. However, contrary to his intentions, gave rise to rationalistic criticism of the Bible.
Erasmus of Rotterdam himself did not expect such results.
His philosophy was quite simple and accessible to any person. He considered the basis of piety the divine principle, which lies in the spiritual and moral life and the earthly world.
He called his views “the philosophy of Christ” - this meant that everyone should consciously follow high morality, the laws of piety, as if imitating Christ.
A manifestation of the divine spirit, he considered all the best human qualities. Thanks to this, Erasmus was able to find patterns of piety in different religions, among different nations.
Along with this, the ancient culture was taken by him as a model and basis.
Erasmus mercilessly and with some irony denounced the ignorance and vices of all classes, including the clergy.
He was also categorically against civil wars. He saw in them an obstacle to the development of culture. He considered the instigators of war to know monarchs and priests.
Erasmus sought to correct the flaws of society by spreading education and a new culture.
The basis of his activities was pedagogy. He recommended that mentors maximize the activity and independence of children, while taking into account their individual and age characteristics.
The work of Erasmus of Rotterdam had a huge impact on the culture of Europe.
He can be called the intellectual leader of Europe at that time.
