(SSH) Thomas Aquinas Died of a Chronic Subdural Hematoma: A Plausible Historical and Forensic Account

Introduction: Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) was an influential medieval Christian theologian, arguably one of the greatest scholastic philosophers. He produced more than 80 works in his 48 years, including the Summa Contra Gentiles and his magnum opus, the Summa Theologica. The Catholic Church regards him a canonized Saint and one of 37 Doctors of the Church.

In 1274, he was summoned to the 2nd Council of Lyons. On his way he was “struck with sudden illness,” requiring rest at a monastery where he was cared for until death. An obscure Latin text describes an incident where he hit his head on a branch while riding a donkey knocking him off his mount. Becoming progressively ill, he arrived at Fossanova Abbey where he died on March 7. It is possible that his death was occasioned by a traumatic brain injury, and we sought evidence to that effect.

Methods: The authors visited the Abbey of Fossanova in Priverno, Italy, where Aquinas died. A forensic analysis of his reputed skull within a glass reliquary housed in the Cathedral of Priverno was performed. Key sections from Fontes Vitae s. Thomas Aquinatis – Notis Historicis et Criticis Illustrati were translated for the first time into the English language detailing his last days.

Results: These medieval documents implicate traumatic brain injury in the form of a chronic subdural hematoma as a probable cause of his death. As a large even obese man, the force necessary to throw him from his mount would have been great. His symptoms included nausea, vomiting, and terminally somnolence. He remained lucid with intact mental acuity until death. Skull examinations were inconclusive to prove death from chronic subdural hematoma.

Conclusion : We conclude that Aquinas likely died of a growing chronic subdural hematoma. A more in-depth analysis of the skull may help confirm the diagnosis.