What role did the Dialogues play in spreading the story of St. Benedict of Nursia?

The Dialogues, written by St. Gregory the Great before 594 CE, played a pivotal role in spreading the story of St. Benedict of Nursia by serving as the only recognized historical authority for the facts of his life.12

In book 2 of this work, Gregory documented Benedict’s life, drawing information from four of the saint's own disciples. While the text includes accounts of many miracles and wonders, it provides the essential narrative framework for Benedict’s journey—from his early life in Rome and his time as a hermit in the Simbruinian hills to his establishment of monasteries and his eventual settlement at Monte Cassino. By recording these details, Gregory ensured that Benedict’s legacy as the father of Western monasticism was preserved and disseminated throughout the medieval world.12