The Roman statesman and author Flavius Magnus Aurelius Cassiodorus Senator (ca. 480-ca. 575) exerted great influence on the preservation of works of classical literature in Christian monasteries from the 6th century through the Middle Ages. He is also an important source of information on the period of Ostrogothic rule in Italy.

Cassiodorus was born on his family's estate at Scyllacium in southeastern Italy. He received the education in philosophy and rhetoric appropriate to the son of a noble family, and by 511 he held the office of quaestor (royal secretary) at the court of the Ostrogothic king Theodoric the Great in Ravenna. In 523 he was elevated to the post of master of the offices, which made him in effect the head of the civil service. From 533 to 537 he held the powerful position of praetorian perfect.

Cassiodorus documented his career as public servant in his Variae (Miscellaneous Letters), which contained correspondence...