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CCIV371
Romans and Christians: Cultural Change in Late Antiquity
CCIV371 FA
Crosslistings: HIST371, MDST371, RELI371
Not Currently Offered
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-22-1999
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