This intellectual served as Adalbero of Ardennes’s private secretary and developed a modern abacus based on Hindu-Arabic numerals he came across near Al-Andalus. For 10 points each:
[10h] Name this man who was a shoe-in to be appointed Adalbero’s successor as Archbishop of Reims until Arnulf, the illegitimate son of Lothair of France, was appointed instead.
ANSWER: Gerbert of Aurillac [accept Pope Sylvester II; accept Gerbert’s abacus; prompt on Pope Sylvester]
[10e] This ruler first appointed Arnulf to undermine his rival Charles, but quickly realized his error and installed Gerbert. This ruler was elected King of the Franks in 987, founding the Capetian dynasty.
ANSWER: Hugh Capet [reject “Hugh the Great”]
[10m] Thietmar’s Chronicle recounts Gerbert creating one of these objects for Otto III in Magdeburg. Charles University rector Jan Šindel consulted on the construction of one of these objects that features Twelve Apostles periodically “walking.”
ANSWER: astronomical clock [accept Prague Astronomical Clock or Prague Orloj; prompt on clock]
<GP, European History>