Konrad Mutian facts for kids
Konrad Mutian (also known by his Latin name, Conradus Mutianus) was an important German thinker during the Renaissance period. He was born on October 15, 1470, and passed away on March 30, 1526. He was known for his red hair, which is why he was sometimes called "Rufus," meaning "red" in Latin.
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Early Life and Education
Konrad Mutian was born in Homburg to a family that was quite well-off. He went to school in Deventer, where he studied under a famous teacher named Alexander Hegius von Heek. While there, he was a schoolmate of Erasmus, who would also become a very important scholar.
In 1486, Mutian continued his studies at the university of Erfurt. He earned his master's degree in 1492. After that, he traveled to Italy in 1495. He studied Canon law (which is the law of the Christian Church) at the University of Bologna and earned his doctor's degree there.
Career and Influence
Mutian returned to Germany in 1502. The ruler of Hesse offered him an important job. However, Mutian didn't enjoy this high position. He decided to leave it in 1503. Instead, he took a job with a smaller salary as a canonicus (a type of priest or church official) in Gotha.
Even though he didn't seek public fame, Mutian had a big influence on a special group of thinkers. This group was connected to the University of Erfurt and was known as the Mutianischer Bund (Mutian's Group). Important members included Helius Eobanus Hessus, Crotus Rubeanus, and Justus Jonas. These were all people who liked to think for themselves.
Mutian wasn't a big writer himself, except for letters and short poems. But he was great at coming up with ideas. He shared these ideas with others who then wrote them down. He believed that religion should focus more on living a good and ethical life, rather than just on complex religious rules.
Views on Church Reform
Some people have called Mutian a "precursor of the Reformation." This means he had ideas that came before the big changes in the Church. He wanted to see the Church improve based on the teachings of St. Paul. However, he didn't want to create a completely new church.
Like Erasmus, Mutian initially supported Martin Luther, who started the Reformation. But as Luther's ideas developed, Mutian decided to move away from him. Although Mutian didn't write it himself, a famous satirical book called Epistolae obscurorum virorum came from his group. This book made fun of some traditional scholars.
Konrad Mutian passed away in Gotha on March 30, 1526.
Philosophical Ideas
Mutian was very interested in a philosophy called Neoplatonism. This way of thinking explored deeper spiritual ideas. It looked for universal truths that could be found in different beliefs and traditions. Mutian believed in a single, true God, and he thought that this ultimate truth could be understood in various ways.
Images for kids
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Excerpt from a letter from Mutianus Rufus dated June 28, 1525. Nürnberg, Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nr. 48
