CCIV371

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CCIV371

Romans and Christians: Cultural Change in Late Antiquity CCIV371 FA

Crosslistings: HIST371, MDST371, RELI371

Next Offered in 9899 FA

The conversion of Constantine meant a new role for Christianity in the Roman world. Yet many Christians were reluctant to embrace traditional Roman culture because of its pagan element. The course will examine the process of conversion--of Romans to Christians and Christians to "Romans" - through textual and material evidence from the period (4th-6th centuries). Topics covered include: the conversion of the Roman aristocracy; art and literature, ceremony, and social order; the spiritualization of time and place and the late Roman city; the beginnings of monasticism and of the cult of the Saints; Christian asceticism (especially women Saints); bishops, Saints and poets in the Kingdom of the Franks.

MAJOR READINGS

Peter Brown, THE CULT OF THE SAINTS
Ausonius, MOSELLE
Gerontius, LIFE OF ST. MELANIA THE YOUNGER
John Matthews, WESTERN ARISTOCRACIES AND IMPERIAL COURT
Paulinus of Pella, POEM OF THANKSGIVING
Prudentius, POEMS ON THE MARTYRS
Rutilius Namatianus, CONCERNING HIS RETURN
Sulpicius Severus, LIFE OF ST. MARTIN
Venantius Fortunatus, LIFE OF ST. RADEGUND
and brief selections from Augustine's CONFESSIONS, the
correspondence of Ambrose, Ausonius and Jerome, the history
of Ammianus Marcellinus, the poems and correspondence of
Paulinus of Nola, Symmachus' RELATIONES and the LIFE OF
OLYMPIAS.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

3 papers; in-class reports; weekly readings in primary and secondary materials.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Regular class attendance.

COURSE FORMAT: Discussion Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UG Credit: 1.00

Prerequisites: None

Last Updated on MAR-03-1998

About the Photo:

A baptistery in Ravenna

Reference:

Barraclough, Geoffrey. THE CHRISTIAN WORLD: A SOCIAL AND CULTURAL HISTORY, New York: Harry Abrams, Inc., 1981

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