GERBERT STATUE
The work of David d'Angers, it is located at the end of the Promenade du Gravier, on the banks of the Jordanne river. It was made in 1844 in memory of Gerbert, a great scientist and first French pope (then named Sylvester II, in 999). Born in Beillac, hamlet of Saint-Simon, the little shepherd had the chance to study at the monastery of Saint-Géraud before becoming the famous pope of the year 1000. The artist represented this essential figure in the history of Aurillac in pontifical costume, with his arm raised, teaching or preaching. On the bas-reliefs of the statue, Gerbert's story is illustrated in three small scenes: the first shows us the legendary image of a young shepherd scanning the stars with a makeshift telescope; the second shows Gerbert in front of it, the water clock, one of his inventions; and the last shows the man who became Pope of the year 1000. Gerbert was also the one who introduced the decimal number system in Europe and authorized the coronation of Saint Stephen, the first king of Hungary, thus founding two new Christian states in Europe: Poland and Hungary. He died in Rome in 1003, without having completed his dream of restoring European unity.
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