Thomas Aquinas, the towering theologian and philosopher of the Middle Ages, may have died from complications of a head injury, according to a study published in World Neurosurgery in February 2024 that is now gaining traction beyond the scientific community. This new research sheds light on his mysterious death in 1274, proposing that a subdural hematoma — blood accumulating between the brain and its outer protective layer — was the likely cause.
Aquinas, best known for his Summa Theologica, was traveling to the Council of Lyon in France when an accident occurred. Chronicles recount that while descending a road near Teano, he struck his head on a leaning tree. Though initially appearing unharmed, Aquinas soon began to feel unwell. His condition worsened over the following days, and he died just some weeks later at the Abbey of Fossanova.
Symptoms and modern insights
The study highlights how the symptoms Aquinas experienced — weakness, nausea, confusion, and eventual dysphasia — match the gradual progression of a subdural hematoma. This condition typically results from minor head trauma that causes blood vessels to tear, allowing blood to accumulate slowly and exert pressure on the brain. Common symptoms include headaches, cognitive changes, trouble speaking, and physical weakness.
Historical accounts describe Aquinas as intellectually engaged even in his final days, dictating a now-lost commentary on the Song of Songs. However, his physical decline was evident: by the day before his death, he struggled to walk and could no longer ascend the abbey stairs.
The researchers speculate that if Aquinas had access to modern medical techniques, such as burr hole drainage to relieve pressure on the brain, he might have survived and extended his monumental contributions to theology and philosophy.
Competing theories
Over the centuries, various theories have been proposed regarding Aquinas’ death, including poisoning or a spiritual cessation of work following a mystical vision. While compelling in their own ways, these hypotheses lack the forensic and historical grounding offered by the new study.
The researchers behind the paper, titled A Plausible Historical and Forensic Account of the Death of Thomas Aquinas, are now advocating for further investigation. They hope to study two skulls attributed to Aquinas, housed in Italy and France, for evidence of trauma that could substantiate their findings. So far, their analysis has been limited to photographs of the relics, which prevents definitive conclusions.
In 2023, in celebration of the 700th anniversary of the canonization of St. Thomas Aquinas, his skull was sent on tour across France and around the world. Make sure to visit the slideshow below to learn more.
