Thinking of ‘crises’ in antique Christianity, one generally thinks of impactful and violent events like the East-West Schism at the beginning of the first millennium, the Donatist schism in the...Show moreThinking of ‘crises’ in antique Christianity, one generally thinks of impactful and violent events like the East-West Schism at the beginning of the first millennium, the Donatist schism in the fourth century, or the Diocletian persecutions from 303 to 313. However, ‘crisis’ did not start there, as historical crises can be traced back to the very beginning of Christianity. At the turn of the first century, a certain bishop in Asia Minor wrote letters revealing of this turbulent start of a new religion. When literally being escorted to his martyr’s death (how turbulent do you want it), Ignatius of Antioch wrote several letters to communities of Christ believers. He shows a surprisingly independent, stylistically quite idiosyncratic and rhetorically brilliant voice on central issues, concerning the ‘humanity’ of Christ and his believers, which renders him indispensable for any analysis of the early Christian crises of his time. Writing right after the first generation of believers, he is in dialogue with apostolic heritage. He explicitly refers to Paul, offering insight into the mechanics of historical development, which involves debate and, as you will, ‘crisis’. This thesis takes Ignatius’ testimony to give meaning to the historical crises of the time.Show less
In 2009 during the excavation of Udhruh, a Byzantine church in southern Jordan, an ensemble of fifteen limestone blocks were found, out of situ. They featured symbols, which have yet to be...Show moreIn 2009 during the excavation of Udhruh, a Byzantine church in southern Jordan, an ensemble of fifteen limestone blocks were found, out of situ. They featured symbols, which have yet to be researched. It is important to pin-point the original locations of the blocks as this will enlarge our understanding of the church and because the location of the blocks could also assist in understanding the engraved symbols, which could be other than Christian in nature. The church and attached town maintained an autonomous Christian community while being controlled by multiple Islamic powers for at least six centuries. This raises questions relating to the presupposed tenuous Muslim-Christian relations in the region. The Levant and Middle East as a whole have long been described as historically unstable as a result of religious tension, but the existence of the church provides a counterargument against this notion. The pin-pointing of the location of the blocks has been done through 3D-analysis, in which the surface condition, the orientation and the curvature of the blocks were determined. The symbols have been analysed by method of 3D analysis and a literature study, focussing on early Christian symbolism. The research concludes that the blocks are divided into a more homogeneous group, the “true” blocks, and three miscellaneous blocks. The true blocks have similar dimensions and attributes. Analysis points to an elevated, semi-suspended original location within a straight wall, probably in the aisles or nave of the core basilica, which is the oldest part of the church. Another object displayed clear curvature and was determined to be part of an archway. The symbols on the blocks are without a doubt Christian in nature, but not all early Christian. The geometrical pattern have been determined to likely be decorative, instead of symbolic. Whereas the shell and the crosses hold symbolic meaning. Out of the three types of crosses, two are also linked to the Crusader period. This could provide evidence for the continued use of the church during the Abbasid, Fatimid and Ayyubid periods, an epoch of which still not much is known concerning Udhruh.Show less
A multidisciplinary( History/ philosophy/ cognitive psychology/ linguïstics) enquiry into the role of the ninth century Saxon Gospel Harmony, the Heliand. For thesis, I constructed an interpretive...Show moreA multidisciplinary( History/ philosophy/ cognitive psychology/ linguïstics) enquiry into the role of the ninth century Saxon Gospel Harmony, the Heliand. For thesis, I constructed an interpretive model based on three elements. These elements were: 1 the Interpretation of the Heliand by G.R.R Murphy, 2 Certain theories from H. Versnel's book: Coping with the Gods. Wayward Readings in Greek Theology and 3 elements from the Cognitive Science of Religion(CSR). This model was combined with the historical context of the Heliand and the Saxon Wars, as well as the cultural, religious and mythological world of the continental Saxons. With these elements, the Heliand was analyzed in order to find out how this Gospel Harmony might have worked in aiding the conversion process of the Saxon Lay Elite, after their forced conversion by Charlemagne a generation earlier. By looking at the allusions in the Heliand to the Saxons their old religion, society, or cultural values with the help of the interpretive model, I tried to find out the Heliand its working for the said conversion process of the Saxons.Show less
Bachelor thesis | Griekse en Latijnse taal en cultuur (BA)
closed access
How can a law student become a Christian in 500 AD? In his Vita Severi, Zacharias tells us how his fellow student Severus, who would later become a Christian Saint, converted to Christianity. In my...Show moreHow can a law student become a Christian in 500 AD? In his Vita Severi, Zacharias tells us how his fellow student Severus, who would later become a Christian Saint, converted to Christianity. In my thesis I have used this case study to analyse the relationship between traditional Greco-Roman education (paideia), the law school of Berytus and Christianity in the eastern part of the Mediterranean. The literary sources (the Vita Severi, Libanius' letters and the correspondence between Libanius and Basil of Caesarea) show us that the law school of Berytus is a centre of social mobility and religious freedom. In the Roman society of the fourth and fifth century jurists gain power while sophists have less to say. Meanwhile, Christianity rises and Christian intellectuals have to defend their traditional education. Why would a true Christian still study Homer? In the end, education is presented as the first step towards the higher truth of Christian doctrine. Severus can finish his legal studies, but eventually he will reach his final destination and change his toga for a habit.Show less
Research master thesis | Classics and Ancient Civilizations (research) (MA)
closed access
This thesis explores the reception of the biblical King Solomon as a lover in Judaism and Christianity. It concentrates on the Testament of Solomon and compares its presentation of Solomon’s...Show moreThis thesis explores the reception of the biblical King Solomon as a lover in Judaism and Christianity. It concentrates on the Testament of Solomon and compares its presentation of Solomon’s downfall to Graeco-Roman Jewish and Early Christian texts. Rather than approaching the Testament as an example of 'rewritten scripture' and an interpretation of 1 Kings, the thesis studies the Testament's own interests in portraying Solomon as a lover whose downfall was caused by desire.Show less
Research master thesis | Classics and Ancient Civilizations (research) (MA)
open access
This thesis investigates the treatise 'De resurrectione' of Pseudo-Justin as part of the resurrection debate around 180 CE: How it is related to the dominant intellectual discourse of Hellenistic...Show moreThis thesis investigates the treatise 'De resurrectione' of Pseudo-Justin as part of the resurrection debate around 180 CE: How it is related to the dominant intellectual discourse of Hellenistic philosophy and what its place is in the development of Christianity.Show less
