Friday, April 24, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
April 27, Jerome's Life of Paul and Severus' Life of St. Martin of Tours
Jerome's Life of Paul
Jerome (his full Greek name is "Eusebius Hieronymus") c. 347-420 AD was one of the most famous early church fathers. He was from Illyria (Northwestern Greece) and lived under the late Roman Empire. He was well educated in Latin and Greek literature and also studied Hebrew and other semitic languages extensively and studied in the East to complete his masterful translation of the Bible into Latin (the Vulgate).
His _Life of Paul_ was written in the year 374 or 375 during his stay in the desert of Syria, as is seen from ch. 6, and was dedicated to Paulus of Concordia as stated in Jerome's Epistle 10.3.
Sulpicius Severus' Life of St. Martin of Tours
c. 363-425 AD, Severus was from Aquitania (southwstern France near Spain) which was part of the Late Roman empire, and he was well educated in Latin literature. He had excellent rhetorical and legal training and was himself a historian who knew Latin historiography well. For example, he alludes to Sallust's history in the Life of Martin.
These are examples of what we now call hagiography ("sacred-writing") which seems to be a play on biography, since hagiography is writing about lives of holy men and women.
See here for more on the genre:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagiography
It is interesting to note that our basic idea of what a legend is comes from medieval collections of stories about saints--these collections were called "legenda" which means "things to be read" because they were read out loud on the saints' days.
As always, consider how to situate these works in the context of other genres and texts that we have encountered.
Why were these texts written? How might they have been received?
What themes and narrative strategies do you see here that we have seen before?
Can you think of any modern day parallels for this kind of narrative?
Jerome (his full Greek name is "Eusebius Hieronymus") c. 347-420 AD was one of the most famous early church fathers. He was from Illyria (Northwestern Greece) and lived under the late Roman Empire. He was well educated in Latin and Greek literature and also studied Hebrew and other semitic languages extensively and studied in the East to complete his masterful translation of the Bible into Latin (the Vulgate).
His _Life of Paul_ was written in the year 374 or 375 during his stay in the desert of Syria, as is seen from ch. 6, and was dedicated to Paulus of Concordia as stated in Jerome's Epistle 10.3.
Sulpicius Severus' Life of St. Martin of Tours
c. 363-425 AD, Severus was from Aquitania (southwstern France near Spain) which was part of the Late Roman empire, and he was well educated in Latin literature. He had excellent rhetorical and legal training and was himself a historian who knew Latin historiography well. For example, he alludes to Sallust's history in the Life of Martin.
These are examples of what we now call hagiography ("sacred-writing") which seems to be a play on biography, since hagiography is writing about lives of holy men and women.
See here for more on the genre:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagiography
It is interesting to note that our basic idea of what a legend is comes from medieval collections of stories about saints--these collections were called "legenda" which means "things to be read" because they were read out loud on the saints' days.
As always, consider how to situate these works in the context of other genres and texts that we have encountered.
Why were these texts written? How might they have been received?
What themes and narrative strategies do you see here that we have seen before?
Can you think of any modern day parallels for this kind of narrative?
April 24, Friday, Pete's Day
Scientology reading, I think, as a comparison with some of the religious fiction we have read.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, Acts of Thomas
Acts of Thomas (Don't read section 4 and 7 or the lengthy "Hymn of the Soul")
http://www.gnosis.org/library/actthom.htm
Wikipedia has some useful background on this work: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acts_of_Thomas
Original language was Syriac or perhaps Greek for some parts
Culturally from the Near Eastern or Mesopotamian area
4th cent. AD or earlier
Author: supposedly Leucius Charinus but this is probably a fictional person derived from a character in the Gospel of Nicodemus.
Consider the question of genre again. These fictive Christian texts are usually called Acts (Latin "Acta") or Gospels (Latin and Greek "Euangelia"), but scholars sometimes refer to them by the modern title "romances". How does that title fit? Do they resemble the ancient romances that we have read? if so, how?
What themes, story patterns, and narrative styles or strategies do you see here that you have seen before?
Does this work seem more or less believable than the Gospel of Nicodemus? Why?
Can you think of any modern retellings of the story of Christ or any apostles or saints? How do they compare with The Gospel of Nicodemus and the Acts of Thomas?
http://www.gnosis.org/library/actthom.htm
Wikipedia has some useful background on this work: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acts_of_Thomas
Original language was Syriac or perhaps Greek for some parts
Culturally from the Near Eastern or Mesopotamian area
4th cent. AD or earlier
Author: supposedly Leucius Charinus but this is probably a fictional person derived from a character in the Gospel of Nicodemus.
Consider the question of genre again. These fictive Christian texts are usually called Acts (Latin "Acta") or Gospels (Latin and Greek "Euangelia"), but scholars sometimes refer to them by the modern title "romances". How does that title fit? Do they resemble the ancient romances that we have read? if so, how?
What themes, story patterns, and narrative styles or strategies do you see here that you have seen before?
Does this work seem more or less believable than the Gospel of Nicodemus? Why?
Can you think of any modern retellings of the story of Christ or any apostles or saints? How do they compare with The Gospel of Nicodemus and the Acts of Thomas?
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Monday, April 18, Gospel of Nicodemus
Gospel of Nicodemus
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/gospelnicodemus.html
We have already seen the Fictional Letters of Christ and Abgar as well as those of Paul and Seneca, but now we will be reading some longer example of fictive Christian prose.
The Gospel of Nicodemus was a fictive account inspired by other accounts of Christ such as the four canonical gospels. It claims to be by Ananias but this may be a fictional name. The complete version we are reading is not earlier than 5th cent. AD. The core of the work known as the Acts of Pontius Pilate was probably written in Greek in the late 2nd cent., but it was translated into many languages including Latin, Armenian, and Coptic and various additions were made in these later versions.
Like Luke and to a lesser extent the other gospels, it adopts a history-like approach to the story. Pay special attention to the prologue. If you have read one or more of the New Testament gospels before, make note of any details included here that are not in the NT. Be ready to explain why these details might have been included.
How would you classify this work's genre?
What themes or narrative strategies in this work are familiar from our other readings?
Why would someone have written this? How might the original audience have received it?
See here for an interesting overview of the work:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_of_Nicodemus
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/gospelnicodemus.html
We have already seen the Fictional Letters of Christ and Abgar as well as those of Paul and Seneca, but now we will be reading some longer example of fictive Christian prose.
The Gospel of Nicodemus was a fictive account inspired by other accounts of Christ such as the four canonical gospels. It claims to be by Ananias but this may be a fictional name. The complete version we are reading is not earlier than 5th cent. AD. The core of the work known as the Acts of Pontius Pilate was probably written in Greek in the late 2nd cent., but it was translated into many languages including Latin, Armenian, and Coptic and various additions were made in these later versions.
Like Luke and to a lesser extent the other gospels, it adopts a history-like approach to the story. Pay special attention to the prologue. If you have read one or more of the New Testament gospels before, make note of any details included here that are not in the NT. Be ready to explain why these details might have been included.
How would you classify this work's genre?
What themes or narrative strategies in this work are familiar from our other readings?
Why would someone have written this? How might the original audience have received it?
See here for an interesting overview of the work:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_of_Nicodemus
Friday, April 17, Rich's Day
For Friday's class we will be reading passages from Dan Brown's novel, The Da Vinci Code, as well as The Batrachomyomachia. The author of The Batrachomyomachia is unknown but is "supposed" to be Homer. While reading pay close attention to common themes and ideas that we have studied throughout the semester, specifically our most recent work with Dares and Dictys. Also, keep in mind the context of Lucian's "True History" during your reading. I'll also have a couple interesting video clips to show in class. Hopefully we can get the clips out of the way first so that we may enjoy the rest of the class outside (weather permitting). See you all on Friday!
-Rich Rodd
Here are the readings:
Da Vinci Code: pages 162-172 and 242-256. Please ignore the pages skipped, the preview shows all of the important content.
http://books.google.com/books?id=ohZ1wcYifLsC
The Batrachomyomachia: Story is first chapter of document.
http://books.google.com/books?id=6x4AAAAAYAAJ
-Rich Rodd
Here are the readings:
Da Vinci Code: pages 162-172 and 242-256. Please ignore the pages skipped, the preview shows all of the important content.
http://books.google.com/books?id=ohZ1wcYifLsC
The Batrachomyomachia: Story is first chapter of document.
http://books.google.com/books?id=6x4AAAAAYAAJ
Friday, April 10, 2009
Lucian's True History, Wednesday, April 15
Reading is Lucian's True History, Book 1:
I found a less archaic (though still old) translation of Lucian's True
History. We are reading the Intro and Book 1:
Intro
http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/luc/wl2/wl211.htm
Book I
http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/luc/wl2/wl212.htm
Lucian was a Syrian who wrote in Greek under the Roman Empire, 2nd cent. AD. He was well educated in Greek philosophy, rhetoric, and literature and is widely recognized as one of the greatest wits of the ancient world. His style and content were very influential on Renaissance scholars who read him after the west "rediscovered" Greek literature, and the _True History_ (which gave me the name for this course) particularly inspired all manner of (dys)utopian and fantastic voyage narratives. It is also considered an early example (perhaps the earliest) of science fiction and indeed has much in common with 19th and early 20th century science fiction.
Consider why Lucian might have written this work and why any of his contemporaries might have read it. What themes and literary strategies do you see here that you have seen before in this course? Would it be useful to classify this work under a genre? If so, what genre?
Can you think of any later or even modern narratives that are similar in their themes, literary strategies, or general tone? Be ready to share specific parallels in class.
I found a less archaic (though still old) translation of Lucian's True
History. We are reading the Intro and Book 1:
Intro
http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/luc/wl2/wl211.htm
Book I
http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/luc/wl2/wl212.htm
Lucian was a Syrian who wrote in Greek under the Roman Empire, 2nd cent. AD. He was well educated in Greek philosophy, rhetoric, and literature and is widely recognized as one of the greatest wits of the ancient world. His style and content were very influential on Renaissance scholars who read him after the west "rediscovered" Greek literature, and the _True History_ (which gave me the name for this course) particularly inspired all manner of (dys)utopian and fantastic voyage narratives. It is also considered an early example (perhaps the earliest) of science fiction and indeed has much in common with 19th and early 20th century science fiction.
Consider why Lucian might have written this work and why any of his contemporaries might have read it. What themes and literary strategies do you see here that you have seen before in this course? Would it be useful to classify this work under a genre? If so, what genre?
Can you think of any later or even modern narratives that are similar in their themes, literary strategies, or general tone? Be ready to share specific parallels in class.
Dares and Dictys, Monday, April 13
The texts we are reading this time are two fictional or forged "contemporary" accounts of the events of the Trojan War. What connections do you see between the methods and themes of these writers? What connections do you see with narratives that we have already discussed, specifically epic poetry and history?
Think about why someone would take the trouble to write such a long, fictive retelling of the Trojan War, as if from an eyewitness. Also how do you think the original Greek and Latin audiences would have responded?
By the way, these two texts were incredibly influential on all medieval Trojan stories. Homer's Iliad and Odyssey were not known directly until the Renaissance.
Dares Phrygius or "Dares the Phrygian"
Latin 5th cent. AD, based on an earlier Latin or Greek original of 2nd cent. AD or earlier
For Dares Phrygius, read the whole thing introductory letter through section 44:
http://www.theoi.com/Text/DaresPhrygius.html
Dictys Cretensis or "Dictys the Cretan"
Latin 4th cent. AD, based on and earlier Greek version
For Dictys Cretensis, read the preface and Book 3.
http://www.theoi.com/Text/DictysCretensis1.html#Preface
http://www.theoi.com/Text/DictysCretensis3.html
Think about why someone would take the trouble to write such a long, fictive retelling of the Trojan War, as if from an eyewitness. Also how do you think the original Greek and Latin audiences would have responded?
By the way, these two texts were incredibly influential on all medieval Trojan stories. Homer's Iliad and Odyssey were not known directly until the Renaissance.
Dares Phrygius or "Dares the Phrygian"
Latin 5th cent. AD, based on an earlier Latin or Greek original of 2nd cent. AD or earlier
For Dares Phrygius, read the whole thing introductory letter through section 44:
http://www.theoi.com/Text/DaresPhrygius.html
Dictys Cretensis or "Dictys the Cretan"
Latin 4th cent. AD, based on and earlier Greek version
For Dictys Cretensis, read the preface and Book 3.
http://www.theoi.com/Text/DictysCretensis1.html#Preface
http://www.theoi.com/Text/DictysCretensis3.html
Monday, April 6, 2009
Fictional Letters, Wednesday, April 8
1) a number of letters of Phalaris (a famous Greek tyrant), of
Socratics (friends of Socrates), Diogenes and Krates (famous Cynic
philosophers), and Chion (a friend of Plato).
2) letters of Euripides the famous Greek tragedian who wrote the Medea
and the Bacchae among others
3) letters of Jesus Christ and Abgar (a local potentate)
4) letters of the Apostle Paul and Seneca, the Roman philosopher and
author of the Apocolocyntosis
While reading these, try to think of why they would have been written
in the first place. Also consider any modern fictional works that you
know which use fictional letters. Why do they do this? What does
this format have to offer in fictional literature?
Socratics (friends of Socrates), Diogenes and Krates (famous Cynic
philosophers), and Chion (a friend of Plato).
2) letters of Euripides the famous Greek tragedian who wrote the Medea
and the Bacchae among others
3) letters of Jesus Christ and Abgar (a local potentate)
4) letters of the Apostle Paul and Seneca, the Roman philosopher and
author of the Apocolocyntosis
While reading these, try to think of why they would have been written
in the first place. Also consider any modern fictional works that you
know which use fictional letters. Why do they do this? What does
this format have to offer in fictional literature?
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