Page:Outlines of European History.djvu/408

 346 Outlines of European History Gregory as a statesman Gregory's missionary undertakings could have been composed by the greater man of the time and that it was written for adults.^ In his commentary on Job, Gregory warns the reader that he need not be surprised to find mistakes in Latin grammar, since in dealing with so holy a work as the Bible a writer should not stop to make sure whether his cases and tenses are right. Gregory's letters show clearly what the papacy was coming to mean for Europe when in the hands of a really great man. While he assumed the humble title of " Servant of the servants of God," which the popes still use, Gregory was a statesman whose influence extended far and wide. It devolved upon him to govern the city of Rome, — as it did upon his successors down to the year 1870, — for the Eastern Emperor's control had become merely nominal. He had also to keep the Lombards out of central Italy, which they failed to conquer largely on account of the valiant defense of the popes. These duties were functions of the State, and in assuming them Gregory may be said to have founded the " temporal " power of the popes. Beyond the borders of Italy, Gregory was in constant com- munication with the Emperor and the Frankish and Burgundian rulers. Everywhere he used his influence to have good clergy- men chosen as bishops, and everywhere he watched over the interests of the monasteries. But his chief importance in the history of the papacy is due to the missionary enterprises he undertook, through which the great countries that were one day to be called England, France, and Germany were brought under the sway of the Roman Church and its head, the Pope. As Gregory had himself been a devoted monk it was natural that he should rely chiefly upon the monks in his great work of con- verting the heathen. Consequently, before considering his mission- ary achievements, we must glance at the origin and character of the monks, who are so conspicuous throughout the Middle Ages. 1 He is reckoned, along with Augustine, Ambrose, and Jerome, as one of the four great Latin " fathers " of the Church. For extracts from Gregory's writings, see Readings^ chap. iv.