Understanding the 12 in The Twelve Abuses of the World

This paper seeks to present research on the wide reception and influence of the anonymous seventh-century Irish text, The Twelve Abuses of the World in the medieval West. In examining the utilisation of the sacred number 12, but in a ‘negative’ sense, the origins of this Christian text in classical philosophy and rhetoric will be unpacked. It will argue that this text has its origins in the rhetorical traditions of seventh-century Ireland via a re-imagining of the 12 grammatical vices taught by the fourth-century grammarian, Donatus, as they relate to the divine Logos in the Gospel of John. This tradition further supports suggested connections between Ireland, Spain, and North Africa in the early medieval period..