The second volume of Gregory the Great’s Dialogi is practically the only source we have about Benedict’s life (480/490–547 CE), whereas only very limited information can be gleaned from later texts such as Mark’s Versus in Benedicti laudem and an 11th-century hagiographical text from Cassino. Gregory’s broad biographical sketch has an openly hagiographical character, considering this work’s avowed aim, which mainly was to narrate the miracles performed by Italian saints. Hence, there have been doubts …