Sophie Lunn-Rockliffe
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- January 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199230204
- eISBN:
- 9780191710681
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199230204.001.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Early Christian Studies
The works of Ambrosiaster, a Christian writing in Rome in the late 4th century, were influential on at the time and throughout the Middle Ages. This book starts by addressing the problem of the ...
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The works of Ambrosiaster, a Christian writing in Rome in the late 4th century, were influential on at the time and throughout the Middle Ages. This book starts by addressing the problem of the author's mysterious identity (which scholars have puzzled over for centuries) and places him in a broad historical and intellectual context. Later, it addresses Ambrosiaster's political theology, an idea which has been explored in other late Roman Christian writers but which has never been addressed in his works. The book also looks at how Ambrosiaster's attitudes to social and political order were formed on the basis of theological concepts and the interpretation of scripture, and shows that he espoused a rigid hierarchical and monarchical organization in the church, society, and the Roman empire. He also traced close connections between the Devil, characterized as a rebel against God, and the earthly tyrants and usurpers who followed his example.Less
The works of Ambrosiaster, a Christian writing in Rome in the late 4th century, were influential on at the time and throughout the Middle Ages. This book starts by addressing the problem of the author's mysterious identity (which scholars have puzzled over for centuries) and places him in a broad historical and intellectual context. Later, it addresses Ambrosiaster's political theology, an idea which has been explored in other late Roman Christian writers but which has never been addressed in his works. The book also looks at how Ambrosiaster's attitudes to social and political order were formed on the basis of theological concepts and the interpretation of scripture, and shows that he espoused a rigid hierarchical and monarchical organization in the church, society, and the Roman empire. He also traced close connections between the Devil, characterized as a rebel against God, and the earthly tyrants and usurpers who followed his example.
Sophie Lunn-Rockliffe
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- January 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199230204
- eISBN:
- 9780191710681
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199230204.003.0008
- Subject:
- Religion, Early Christian Studies
This chapter explores Ambrosiaster's presentation of the Devil as the tyrannical opponent of God, and a spiritual political model for earthly tyrants and usurpers. He was not the first Christian to ...
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This chapter explores Ambrosiaster's presentation of the Devil as the tyrannical opponent of God, and a spiritual political model for earthly tyrants and usurpers. He was not the first Christian to pair the diabolical and the political. Christian writers before Ambrosiaster had characterized persecuting emperors as tyrants and close to the Devil, and the Devil himself as a cruel, tyrannical ruler. However, where earlier writers had tended to focus on the brutal aspects of the Devil's tyranny, that is, on his cruel persecution of Christians, Ambrosiaster insisted that the Devil was a contumacious rebel who attempted a usurpation of God's kingship and successfully won mastery over sinful man. It is argued that historical circumstances may have influenced this shift; Ambrosiaster's Latin predecessors had lived under the threat of persecution and suffering (Lactantius under the pagan Diocletian, Hilary and Lucifer under the Arian Constantius), whereas Ambrosiaster's immediate historical context was that of a plethora of western usurpers.Less
This chapter explores Ambrosiaster's presentation of the Devil as the tyrannical opponent of God, and a spiritual political model for earthly tyrants and usurpers. He was not the first Christian to pair the diabolical and the political. Christian writers before Ambrosiaster had characterized persecuting emperors as tyrants and close to the Devil, and the Devil himself as a cruel, tyrannical ruler. However, where earlier writers had tended to focus on the brutal aspects of the Devil's tyranny, that is, on his cruel persecution of Christians, Ambrosiaster insisted that the Devil was a contumacious rebel who attempted a usurpation of God's kingship and successfully won mastery over sinful man. It is argued that historical circumstances may have influenced this shift; Ambrosiaster's Latin predecessors had lived under the threat of persecution and suffering (Lactantius under the pagan Diocletian, Hilary and Lucifer under the Arian Constantius), whereas Ambrosiaster's immediate historical context was that of a plethora of western usurpers.
Sophie Lunn-Rockliffe
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- January 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199230204
- eISBN:
- 9780191710681
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199230204.003.0003
- Subject:
- Religion, Early Christian Studies
This chapter explores the religious and secular background of Ambrosiaster. Ascertaining the nature of Ambrosiaster' s religious background is tricky, but establishing his likely secular background ...
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This chapter explores the religious and secular background of Ambrosiaster. Ascertaining the nature of Ambrosiaster' s religious background is tricky, but establishing his likely secular background is easier. Having benefited from an education in the classics and forensic rhetoric, Ambrosiaster appears to have been involved in, or at least in a position to observe, aristocratic and official life in Rome. Although the bulk of evidence places Ambrosiaster's work as written in the city of Rome, historians have suggested that he spent time elsewhere, particularly Egypt, from his references to Egyptian customs. Although he was acquainted with classical texts, it was Christian works which exercised the more obtrusive intellectual and literary influence on his writing.Less
This chapter explores the religious and secular background of Ambrosiaster. Ascertaining the nature of Ambrosiaster' s religious background is tricky, but establishing his likely secular background is easier. Having benefited from an education in the classics and forensic rhetoric, Ambrosiaster appears to have been involved in, or at least in a position to observe, aristocratic and official life in Rome. Although the bulk of evidence places Ambrosiaster's work as written in the city of Rome, historians have suggested that he spent time elsewhere, particularly Egypt, from his references to Egyptian customs. Although he was acquainted with classical texts, it was Christian works which exercised the more obtrusive intellectual and literary influence on his writing.
Morwenna Ludlow
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- January 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199280766
- eISBN:
- 9780191712906
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199280766.003.0018
- Subject:
- Religion, Early Christian Studies
John Milbank is not interested in an analysis of Cappadocian theology for its own sake. Rather, he is usually more interested in how Gregory fits into the a broader spectrum of Christian writers and ...
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John Milbank is not interested in an analysis of Cappadocian theology for its own sake. Rather, he is usually more interested in how Gregory fits into the a broader spectrum of Christian writers and to what extent those writers can answer the questions posed by the contemporary context. This chapter shows that although questions of the origin and nature of language do come into Milbank's analysis, his primary interest in Gregory revolves around the more basic questions of theological language — how is it possible to speak of that which is other? — and (especially) ontology — in what way are humans related to that which is other? In order to answer these questions, Milbank appeals to the notion of gift and, in particular, his own notion of gift as ‘purified gift-exchange’. It is argued that Milbank's reading of Gregory is best understood as the discovery (in the sense of an uncovering) of a theology of purified gift-exchange in a pre-modern writer. This background explains his focus on various elements in Gregory's theology (reputation, generation, growth, and embodiment), which he thinks are characterized by a particular notion of reciprocity.Less
John Milbank is not interested in an analysis of Cappadocian theology for its own sake. Rather, he is usually more interested in how Gregory fits into the a broader spectrum of Christian writers and to what extent those writers can answer the questions posed by the contemporary context. This chapter shows that although questions of the origin and nature of language do come into Milbank's analysis, his primary interest in Gregory revolves around the more basic questions of theological language — how is it possible to speak of that which is other? — and (especially) ontology — in what way are humans related to that which is other? In order to answer these questions, Milbank appeals to the notion of gift and, in particular, his own notion of gift as ‘purified gift-exchange’. It is argued that Milbank's reading of Gregory is best understood as the discovery (in the sense of an uncovering) of a theology of purified gift-exchange in a pre-modern writer. This background explains his focus on various elements in Gregory's theology (reputation, generation, growth, and embodiment), which he thinks are characterized by a particular notion of reciprocity.
Sophie Lunn-Rockliffe
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- January 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199230204
- eISBN:
- 9780191710681
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199230204.003.0002
- Subject:
- Religion, Early Christian Studies
The chapter begins by explaining that two major Latin works, a set of Commentaries on all the Pauline epistles save Hebrews, and 127 Quaestiones on the Old and New Testaments are now known as the ...
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The chapter begins by explaining that two major Latin works, a set of Commentaries on all the Pauline epistles save Hebrews, and 127 Quaestiones on the Old and New Testaments are now known as the work of a single author, an anonymous author who has for over 300 years been referred to as Ambrosiaster. There have been several distinct stages in the emergence of Ambrosiaster. In the earliest phase of their circulation, portions of the Quaestiones and Commentaries were attributed by their readers to various different authors or they were said to be written anonymously. This confusion over the authorship of Ambrosiaster's works is further reflected in the manuscript tradition.Less
The chapter begins by explaining that two major Latin works, a set of Commentaries on all the Pauline epistles save Hebrews, and 127 Quaestiones on the Old and New Testaments are now known as the work of a single author, an anonymous author who has for over 300 years been referred to as Ambrosiaster. There have been several distinct stages in the emergence of Ambrosiaster. In the earliest phase of their circulation, portions of the Quaestiones and Commentaries were attributed by their readers to various different authors or they were said to be written anonymously. This confusion over the authorship of Ambrosiaster's works is further reflected in the manuscript tradition.
Yaacov Deutsch
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199756537
- eISBN:
- 9780199950201
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199756537.003.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Judaism
At the beginning of the sixteenth century, a long line of texts first appeared in Western Europe and made up a full-fledged literary genre—ethnographies about the Jews. The crux of these works is ...
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At the beginning of the sixteenth century, a long line of texts first appeared in Western Europe and made up a full-fledged literary genre—ethnographies about the Jews. The crux of these works is systematic accounts of the customs and rituals of the period's Jews. By the later stages of the eighteenth century, over seventy-five of these works had been published. This introductory chapter first sets out the purpose of the book, which is to provide a comprehensive survey of the genre's assorted works, with an emphasis on their general characteristics, the writing objectives they betray, the interconnections between the different works, and the ramifications of this entire enterprise. In so doing, it seeks to expose how Christian writers crafted the image of Judaism. The discussion then turns to ethnographic writing, Christian-Jewish relations, Christian Hebraism, and Jewish conversion to Christianity. An overview of the subsequent chapters is also presented.Less
At the beginning of the sixteenth century, a long line of texts first appeared in Western Europe and made up a full-fledged literary genre—ethnographies about the Jews. The crux of these works is systematic accounts of the customs and rituals of the period's Jews. By the later stages of the eighteenth century, over seventy-five of these works had been published. This introductory chapter first sets out the purpose of the book, which is to provide a comprehensive survey of the genre's assorted works, with an emphasis on their general characteristics, the writing objectives they betray, the interconnections between the different works, and the ramifications of this entire enterprise. In so doing, it seeks to expose how Christian writers crafted the image of Judaism. The discussion then turns to ethnographic writing, Christian-Jewish relations, Christian Hebraism, and Jewish conversion to Christianity. An overview of the subsequent chapters is also presented.
Sophie Lunn-Rockliffe
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- January 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199230204
- eISBN:
- 9780191710681
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199230204.003.0009
- Subject:
- Religion, Early Christian Studies
This chapter discusses the significance of the writings of Ambrosiaster. His writings present a rich repository of the theological, political, ecclesiastical, and social thought of a late Roman ...
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This chapter discusses the significance of the writings of Ambrosiaster. His writings present a rich repository of the theological, political, ecclesiastical, and social thought of a late Roman Christian. They provide a window into the preoccupations and intellectual horizons of a writer who influenced writers in his own time and throughout the Middle Ages. It is important to recognize and preserve the very intertwining of the political and theological when reading Ambrosiaster. His own analysis of the political was inspired by scripture, expressed in biblicizing language, and supported by lengthy quotations from the Bible.Less
This chapter discusses the significance of the writings of Ambrosiaster. His writings present a rich repository of the theological, political, ecclesiastical, and social thought of a late Roman Christian. They provide a window into the preoccupations and intellectual horizons of a writer who influenced writers in his own time and throughout the Middle Ages. It is important to recognize and preserve the very intertwining of the political and theological when reading Ambrosiaster. His own analysis of the political was inspired by scripture, expressed in biblicizing language, and supported by lengthy quotations from the Bible.
Sophie Lunn-Rockliffe
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- January 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199230204
- eISBN:
- 9780191710681
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199230204.003.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Early Christian Studies
This introductory chapter begins with a discussion of how Ambrosiaster's writings can be examined. An overview of the succeeding chapters is then presented.
This introductory chapter begins with a discussion of how Ambrosiaster's writings can be examined. An overview of the succeeding chapters is then presented.
Christopher Stead
- Published in print:
- 1977
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780198266303
- eISBN:
- 9780191683015
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198266303.003.0007
- Subject:
- Religion, Theology
This chapter addresses the question: what is the substance of God? It reviews substance language in theology and suggests that one cannot trace a clear conceptual distinction established in antiquity ...
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This chapter addresses the question: what is the substance of God? It reviews substance language in theology and suggests that one cannot trace a clear conceptual distinction established in antiquity between the substance of God and his invariant attributes. It then turns to attempts to define God's substance and the concept of unity.Less
This chapter addresses the question: what is the substance of God? It reviews substance language in theology and suggests that one cannot trace a clear conceptual distinction established in antiquity between the substance of God and his invariant attributes. It then turns to attempts to define God's substance and the concept of unity.
Alan K. Bowman, Hannah M. Cotton, Martin Goodman, and Simon Price (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2002
- Published Online:
- January 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780197262764
- eISBN:
- 9780191753947
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- British Academy
- DOI:
- 10.5871/bacad/9780197262764.001.0001
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, European History: BCE to 500CE
This book covers the whole of the period in which Rome dominated the Mediterranean world. The belief shared by all the contributors is that the Roman empire is best understood from the standpoint of ...
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This book covers the whole of the period in which Rome dominated the Mediterranean world. The belief shared by all the contributors is that the Roman empire is best understood from the standpoint of the Mediterranean world looking in to Rome, rather than from Rome looking out. The chapters focus on the development of political institutions in Rome itself and in her empire, and on the nature of the relationship between Rome and her provincial subjects. They also discuss historiographical approaches to different kinds of source material, literary and documentary — including the major Roman historians, the evidence for the pre-Roman near east, and the Christian writers of later antiquity. The book reflects the immense complexity of the political and cultural history of the ancient Mediterranean, from the late Republic to the age of Augustine.Less
This book covers the whole of the period in which Rome dominated the Mediterranean world. The belief shared by all the contributors is that the Roman empire is best understood from the standpoint of the Mediterranean world looking in to Rome, rather than from Rome looking out. The chapters focus on the development of political institutions in Rome itself and in her empire, and on the nature of the relationship between Rome and her provincial subjects. They also discuss historiographical approaches to different kinds of source material, literary and documentary — including the major Roman historians, the evidence for the pre-Roman near east, and the Christian writers of later antiquity. The book reflects the immense complexity of the political and cultural history of the ancient Mediterranean, from the late Republic to the age of Augustine.
Yaacov Deutsch
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199756537
- eISBN:
- 9780199950201
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199756537.003.0002
- Subject:
- Religion, Judaism
Only from the outset of the 1500s did Christian authors systematically describe the customs and rituals of that era's Jews. The fruit of this early modern enterprise is over seventy-five works that ...
More
Only from the outset of the 1500s did Christian authors systematically describe the customs and rituals of that era's Jews. The fruit of this early modern enterprise is over seventy-five works that shed light on the manner in which the Jews were perceived and portrayed by Christian writers. This chapter offers a detailed survey of the corpus in question and presents the guidelines used to determine which texts fall under this category. The chapter is organized as follows. The first part of this survey is an analysis of the corpus's works. It discusses the authors of these texts, including the central role that converts played in this extensive undertaking. It then proceeds to the works themselves and the manner in which the Jews are portrayed therein. This is followed by a discussion on the phenomenon's chronology, the length and content of the various works, and the circulation they merited.Less
Only from the outset of the 1500s did Christian authors systematically describe the customs and rituals of that era's Jews. The fruit of this early modern enterprise is over seventy-five works that shed light on the manner in which the Jews were perceived and portrayed by Christian writers. This chapter offers a detailed survey of the corpus in question and presents the guidelines used to determine which texts fall under this category. The chapter is organized as follows. The first part of this survey is an analysis of the corpus's works. It discusses the authors of these texts, including the central role that converts played in this extensive undertaking. It then proceeds to the works themselves and the manner in which the Jews are portrayed therein. This is followed by a discussion on the phenomenon's chronology, the length and content of the various works, and the circulation they merited.
Kathy Gaca
- Published in print:
- 2003
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780520235991
- eISBN:
- 9780520929463
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- University of California Press
- DOI:
- 10.1525/california/9780520235991.001.0001
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Ancient Greek, Roman, and Early Christian Philosophy
This work provides a reassessment of the emergence and nature of Christian sexual morality, the dominant moral paradigm in Western society since late antiquity. While many scholars, including Michel ...
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This work provides a reassessment of the emergence and nature of Christian sexual morality, the dominant moral paradigm in Western society since late antiquity. While many scholars, including Michel Foucault, have found the basis of early Christian sexual restrictions in Greek ethics and political philosophy, the author of this book demonstrates that it is misguided to regard Greek ethics and political theory—with their proposed reforms of eroticism, the family, and civic order—as the foundation of Christian sexual austerity. Rather, she shows that early Christian goals to eradicate fornication were derived from the sexual rules and poetic norms of the Septuagint, or Greek Bible, and that early Christian writers adapted these rules and norms in ways which reveal insights into the distinctive and largely non-philosophical character of Christian sexual morality. Writing with a command of both Greek philosophy and early Christian writings, the author investigates Plato, the Stoics, the Pythagoreans, Philo of Alexandria, the apostle Paul, and the patristic Christians Clement of Alexandria, Tatian, and Epiphanes, elucidating their ideas on sexual reform. Early Christian writers, she demonstrates, transformed all that they borrowed from Greek ethics and political philosophy to launch innovative programs against fornication that were inimical to Greek cultural mores, popular and philosophical alike. The Septuagint's mandate to worship the Lord alone among all gods led to a Christian program to revolutionize Gentile sexual practices.Less
This work provides a reassessment of the emergence and nature of Christian sexual morality, the dominant moral paradigm in Western society since late antiquity. While many scholars, including Michel Foucault, have found the basis of early Christian sexual restrictions in Greek ethics and political philosophy, the author of this book demonstrates that it is misguided to regard Greek ethics and political theory—with their proposed reforms of eroticism, the family, and civic order—as the foundation of Christian sexual austerity. Rather, she shows that early Christian goals to eradicate fornication were derived from the sexual rules and poetic norms of the Septuagint, or Greek Bible, and that early Christian writers adapted these rules and norms in ways which reveal insights into the distinctive and largely non-philosophical character of Christian sexual morality. Writing with a command of both Greek philosophy and early Christian writings, the author investigates Plato, the Stoics, the Pythagoreans, Philo of Alexandria, the apostle Paul, and the patristic Christians Clement of Alexandria, Tatian, and Epiphanes, elucidating their ideas on sexual reform. Early Christian writers, she demonstrates, transformed all that they borrowed from Greek ethics and political philosophy to launch innovative programs against fornication that were inimical to Greek cultural mores, popular and philosophical alike. The Septuagint's mandate to worship the Lord alone among all gods led to a Christian program to revolutionize Gentile sexual practices.
Christopher Stead
- Published in print:
- 1977
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780198266303
- eISBN:
- 9780191683015
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198266303.003.0008
- Subject:
- Religion, Theology
This chapter focuses on the use of the word homoousios, usually translated as ‘consubstantial’ or ‘coessential’, which appears to have been introduced by Gnostic Christians in the 2nd century. The ...
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This chapter focuses on the use of the word homoousios, usually translated as ‘consubstantial’ or ‘coessential’, which appears to have been introduced by Gnostic Christians in the 2nd century. The first half of the 3rd century did not bring any important change in the usage of the term by Christian theologians. In the majority of cases it occurred in quotations or reminiscences of Gnostic writers. But towards the end of this period, the first tentative use of the term to formulate the Christian doctrine of the Trinity can be traced. The chapter also considers the beginnings of controversy over its application to persons of the Trinity.Less
This chapter focuses on the use of the word homoousios, usually translated as ‘consubstantial’ or ‘coessential’, which appears to have been introduced by Gnostic Christians in the 2nd century. The first half of the 3rd century did not bring any important change in the usage of the term by Christian theologians. In the majority of cases it occurred in quotations or reminiscences of Gnostic writers. But towards the end of this period, the first tentative use of the term to formulate the Christian doctrine of the Trinity can be traced. The chapter also considers the beginnings of controversy over its application to persons of the Trinity.
Aurelius Prudentius Clemens
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- August 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780801442223
- eISBN:
- 9780801463051
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Cornell University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7591/cornell/9780801442223.001.0001
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Poetry and Poets: Classical, Early, and Medieval
Aurelius Prudentius Clemens (348–c.406) is one of the great Christian Latin writers of late antiquity. He wrote poetry that was deeply influenced by classical writers and in the process he revived ...
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Aurelius Prudentius Clemens (348–c.406) is one of the great Christian Latin writers of late antiquity. He wrote poetry that was deeply influenced by classical writers and in the process he revived the ethical, historical, and political functions of poetry. This aspect of his work was especially valued in the Middle Ages by Christian writers who found themselves similarly drawn to the Classical tradition. Prudentius' Hamartigenia, consisting of a 63-line preface followed by 966 lines of dactylic hexameter verse, considers the origin of sin in the universe and its consequences, culminating with a vision of judgment day: the damned are condemned to torture, worms, and flames, while the saved return to a heaven filled with delights, one of which is the pleasure of watching the torments of the damned. This book, the first new English translation in more than forty years, shows that Hamartigenia is critical for understanding late antique ideas about sin, justice, gender, violence, and the afterlife. Its radical exploration of and experimentation with language have inspired generations of thinkers and poets since—most notably John Milton, whose Paradise Lost owes much of its conception of language and its strikingly visual imagery to Prudentius' poem.Less
Aurelius Prudentius Clemens (348–c.406) is one of the great Christian Latin writers of late antiquity. He wrote poetry that was deeply influenced by classical writers and in the process he revived the ethical, historical, and political functions of poetry. This aspect of his work was especially valued in the Middle Ages by Christian writers who found themselves similarly drawn to the Classical tradition. Prudentius' Hamartigenia, consisting of a 63-line preface followed by 966 lines of dactylic hexameter verse, considers the origin of sin in the universe and its consequences, culminating with a vision of judgment day: the damned are condemned to torture, worms, and flames, while the saved return to a heaven filled with delights, one of which is the pleasure of watching the torments of the damned. This book, the first new English translation in more than forty years, shows that Hamartigenia is critical for understanding late antique ideas about sin, justice, gender, violence, and the afterlife. Its radical exploration of and experimentation with language have inspired generations of thinkers and poets since—most notably John Milton, whose Paradise Lost owes much of its conception of language and its strikingly visual imagery to Prudentius' poem.
Christopher Stead
- Published in print:
- 1977
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780198266303
- eISBN:
- 9780191683015
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198266303.001.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Theology
This book reviews the concept of substance as developed by ancient Greek philosophers, especially by Aristotle. It also considers how, when, and in what degree this concept affected the doctrine of ...
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This book reviews the concept of substance as developed by ancient Greek philosophers, especially by Aristotle. It also considers how, when, and in what degree this concept affected the doctrine of God developed by Christian writers of the first four centuries ad and especially the Trinitarian concept of one God in three persons. This book deals with the notions expressed by the Greek word ousia and by other closely related terms which came to be rendered in Latin by substantia. The book makes clear that the English word ‘substance’ is not an exact equivalent of ousia. This is not a purely historical study, in fact it gives serious attention to the logical problems presented by terms such as ‘being’, ‘identity’, and ‘unity’. The book aims to clarify such problems and also commend them to the attention of Christian theologians.Less
This book reviews the concept of substance as developed by ancient Greek philosophers, especially by Aristotle. It also considers how, when, and in what degree this concept affected the doctrine of God developed by Christian writers of the first four centuries ad and especially the Trinitarian concept of one God in three persons. This book deals with the notions expressed by the Greek word ousia and by other closely related terms which came to be rendered in Latin by substantia. The book makes clear that the English word ‘substance’ is not an exact equivalent of ousia. This is not a purely historical study, in fact it gives serious attention to the logical problems presented by terms such as ‘being’, ‘identity’, and ‘unity’. The book aims to clarify such problems and also commend them to the attention of Christian theologians.
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- March 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780226899008
- eISBN:
- 9780226899022
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226899022.003.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Early Christian Studies
This introductory chapter first sets out the book's purpose, which is to interpret Saint Jerome's career as a biblical scholar and Christian writer within its immediate historical context, in the ...
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This introductory chapter first sets out the book's purpose, which is to interpret Saint Jerome's career as a biblical scholar and Christian writer within its immediate historical context, in the last decades of the fourth and the first decades of the fifth centuries. Jerome himself, seen through the lens of his own writings, is be the focus of attention. Taking advantage of progress in the historiography of the period, and of innovations in the history of scholarship in general, it proposes new interpretations of Jerome's scholarship that promise to remove enduring obstacles to understanding this major figure in the Western tradition. The chapter then discusses changes in the Roman world that created a new Roman culture; the emergence of Christian commentary on scripture; a brief biography of Saint Jerome; and studies of Jerome's scholarship.Less
This introductory chapter first sets out the book's purpose, which is to interpret Saint Jerome's career as a biblical scholar and Christian writer within its immediate historical context, in the last decades of the fourth and the first decades of the fifth centuries. Jerome himself, seen through the lens of his own writings, is be the focus of attention. Taking advantage of progress in the historiography of the period, and of innovations in the history of scholarship in general, it proposes new interpretations of Jerome's scholarship that promise to remove enduring obstacles to understanding this major figure in the Western tradition. The chapter then discusses changes in the Roman world that created a new Roman culture; the emergence of Christian commentary on scripture; a brief biography of Saint Jerome; and studies of Jerome's scholarship.
Timothy S. Miller and John W. Nesbitt
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- August 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780801451355
- eISBN:
- 9780801470776
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Cornell University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7591/cornell/9780801451355.003.0002
- Subject:
- History, European Medieval History
This chapter traces the chronology of leprosy in the ancient world, as well as the attempts of the physicians of the time to identify and treat the disease. From the time of Rufus of Ephesus to the ...
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This chapter traces the chronology of leprosy in the ancient world, as well as the attempts of the physicians of the time to identify and treat the disease. From the time of Rufus of Ephesus to the writing of Aretaios's On Acute and Chronic Diseases, professional physicians came to agree on “elephantiasis” and “Elephant Disease” as the scientific terms for leprosy. And from the works of Galen and Aretaios, Elephant Disease remained the standard scientific name for this disfiguring illness until the end of the Eastern Roman Empire in 1453. The term “leprosy” however finds its true etymological origins in the Greek word lepra, which referred to more benign skin diseases but were, nevertheless, used to identify a contagious skin disease known in Hebrew as “tsa'arath” by translators of the Bible. From there the chapter traces further references and attitudes to the disease by the early Christian writers.Less
This chapter traces the chronology of leprosy in the ancient world, as well as the attempts of the physicians of the time to identify and treat the disease. From the time of Rufus of Ephesus to the writing of Aretaios's On Acute and Chronic Diseases, professional physicians came to agree on “elephantiasis” and “Elephant Disease” as the scientific terms for leprosy. And from the works of Galen and Aretaios, Elephant Disease remained the standard scientific name for this disfiguring illness until the end of the Eastern Roman Empire in 1453. The term “leprosy” however finds its true etymological origins in the Greek word lepra, which referred to more benign skin diseases but were, nevertheless, used to identify a contagious skin disease known in Hebrew as “tsa'arath” by translators of the Bible. From there the chapter traces further references and attitudes to the disease by the early Christian writers.
