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The Transformations of Late Antiquity: Healing in a Christian Context
SS Cosmas & Damian performing the 'miracle of the black leg'. Credit: Wellcome Library, London Oil early 16th cent.? By: Alonso de Sedano Size: 169 x 133 cm. Collection: Iconographic Collections Library reference no.: Iconographic Collection CC 8164 = P 4758/1936 (front cover of slideshow) Early 16th Century oil painting by Alonso de Sedano, Wellcome Library Collection, London.
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Healing in a Christian Context
As we saw with the cult of Asklepios in the classical period, spiritual healing and learned medicine could exist side by side. Christianity, which became legal in the Roman Empire in 313, then the official religion in 391, had a strong identity as a healing faith that had emerged from earlier Jewish, Roman and Near Eastern cults. These beliefs focused on spiritual remedies, but not exclusively. Early missionaries also elaborated an extensive medical metaphor for the healing power of Jesus Christ (both spiritual and physical) that continues to reverberate today.
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Early Christianity The Life of Jesus (d. c. 30-36 CE)
Death of St Paul, c. 66/67 CE Roman Persecutions (sporadically, 64 CE-312 CE) Constantine: Edict of Milan (313); Council of Nicaea (325) Theodosius ( ): Nicene Christianity is made the official religion of the Empire Lives of Christian Fathers: St. Jerome ( ); St. Ambrose ( ); St. Augustine ( ) Mosaic of Christ from the Hagia Sophia, Constantinople (Istanbul)
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Health and Sickness in the Bible
Complicated notions of sickness in Hebrew scriptures New Testament: Healings were among the most dramatic parts of Jesus’ miracle-working. Healing: Three types cures for the blind, deaf, paralyzed, “lepers”, other assorted problems exorcism for the possessed resurrection of the dead Detail from thirteenth-century Bible moralisée, Part I, Oxford, MS Bodl. 270b, f. 208r
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Mosaic (sixth-century) from the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna, Italy
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Christus Medicus Christus Medicus: notion of Christ as the most effective Divine Doctor Idea develops as Christianity spreads; perhaps in competition with other healing cults of the Roman Empire Christianity: deep connection between spiritual and physical health ARBESMANN, RUDOLPH. "THE CONCEPT OF 'CHRISTUS MEDICUS' IN ST AUGUSTINE." Traditio: Studies In Ancient And Medieval History, Thought And Religion 10, (January 1, 1954): 1-28. From William of Nottingham’s Commentary on the Gospels, Oxford, Bodleian MS Laud Misc. 165, f. 165v
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What has Athens (or Alexandria) to do with Jerusalem?
The Removal of Medical Theory Depaganization? Accident of survival of sources (east vs. west)? Change in habits and preference? Xenodochion: Christian answer to the asklepieion? Expression of Christian charity
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Healing and Sanctity Broad similarities between miracles of Jesus and those of saints – but definition of sanctity not static in the Middle Ages Relics: “the bones of holy men and their relics became the very core of Christianity” (Amundsen, 1996) Innovations in saints’ cults: Saints as “local” options for healing – no need to go to Middle East or Rome Combativeness in some saints – competitive healings Healings possible after death of saint (relics) Plaque with Saint Aemilian Artist: Master Engelram and his son Redolfo (Spanish, active Longroño, 1060–1090/5) Date: 1060–80 Geography: Made in La Rioja, Spain Culture: Spanish Medium: Elephant ivory, with glass inlay Dimensions: Overall: 8 1/8 x 3 x 1/4 in. (20.6 x 7.6 x 0.7 cm) Classification: Ivories Credit Line: The Cloisters Collection, 1987 Accession Number: Eleventh-century Spanish ivory plaque, once part of a reliquary, from the Cloisters Collection, Metropolitan Museum of Art
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Visigothic Spain Hispania: a wealthy Roman province
By 475: Romanized Visigoths have created a powerful successor state to Western Empire Visigoths were adherents of Arianism; conversion to Catholicism in 589 under Reccared Breviário de Alarico, compilação de leis romanas do reino de Tolosa sob Alarico II ( d.C.). Lodhanri, roi des Alamans, en compagnie d'un évêque, d'un duc et d'un comte. Bréviaire d'Alaric. Vallée de la Loire (?), BnF, Manuscrits, Latin 4404 fol. 197v. Figures from the Breviary of Alaric, early 9th century; Paris, BnF, MS Latin 4404 fol. 197v.
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Life of St. Aemilianus Aemilianus (Aemilian, Emilianus): 472-573
Born in La Rioja; founded monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla Vita by Braulio of Zaragoza (Braulius of Caesaraugusta)
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The Miracles of St. Aemilianus
Monk Woman (Barbara) Woman on cart Maid of Senator Sicorius Man; former deacon Slave Sibila of Tuentius Slave of Count Eugene Senator Nepotian and Proseria (wife) Columba, daughter of Maximus of curia "multitude of madmen" "Many blind men" "Men suffering from all kinds of diseases" Eufrasia Girl (4 years old)
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Lives of the Fathers of Mérida
Bishops of Mérida (Colonia Augusta Emerita) – important city in Roman and Visigothic times Author: Paul the Deacon; not much known about who he was Heavily indebted to Pope Gregory the Great’s (d. 604) Dialogues Text dated to seventh century: particularly rich in detail for the conflict between Arians and Catholics
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Next Class: Wed. October 4
Lecture: Friday at Noon Mönchsmedizin: Medicine in the Monastic Cloister Readings MM, #21-25 Meg Leja, “The Sacred Art” Clare Pilsworth, “Herbs, Scalpels and Cupping Vessels” Assignment #2 Due
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