Map of Benedict's Italy

Preface

Introduction

Chronology

Medieval biography

Gregory and Benedict

A golden Roman

In a dark time

Family and education

School of rhetoric

Disinheritance and a cracked sifter

Unwanted celebrity

The rock and the bell

Solipsistic hermithood?

Vicovaro and Subiaco

Miracles of lake and spring

A bored monk and bad bread

Turning pagan rites into Monte Cassino

Writing down a little rule

How Benedict heals a boy

Scant bread, scarce olive oil

King Totila's farce

Totila's genuine visit

Greed and a lamp

Impolite pride

Tarracina

The poor and oppressed

Resurrection child

Benedict's final heartaches

Conversation and a cloud

The death of twins

A posthumous touch.