Bachelor thesis | Griekse en Latijnse taal en cultuur (BA)
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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
