Vox Patrum, 2022, Vol. 84: Theoretical and practical dimensions of cardinal virtues in Byzantine culture
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Browsing Vox Patrum, 2022, Vol. 84: Theoretical and practical dimensions of cardinal virtues in Byzantine culture by Issue Date
Now showing 1 - 17 of 17
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- ItemPowerful Women in Byzantine Empire: The Life and Ideology the Empress Theophano (941 – after 978)(Wydawnictwo KUL, 2022) Artemi, EiriniIn this paper we present the life and the character of Theophano, the mother of Basil II Porphyrogenitus, the Macedonian. Some women made spectacular progress up the social ladder by marrying into higher-class families, even sometimes into the imperial family itself and to become empresses as Theophano did. So, social advancement could be achieved through marriage. The power and privileges of an imperial spouse were directly dependent on the emperor. Did it have a catalytic role in the life of Theophano? Through her life, we will examine woman’s position in Byzantine Empire. It will be searched if there was any discrimination among women according to their classes and if the byzantine society faced with the same way a vicious life of an imperial woman and of a poor one. Which was the position of the Christian Church for woman? Had Church Fathers forgiven rich and powerful women and had they condemned poor women from lower social class? All these questions are going to be answered through the life and the actions of Theophano, a woman who managed from being the daughter of a poor tavern-keeper, to become the Empress and one of the most powerful and vicious women in the Byzantine history.
- ItemCyryl Aleksandryjski, Komentarz do Pierwszego Listu św. Pawła do Koryntian, z języka greckiego, syryjskiego i armeńskiego przełożył, wstępem i objaśnieniami opatrzył Konrad F. Zawadzki, Edycja Świętego Pawła, Częstochowa 2022, ss. 261(Wydawnictwo KUL, 2022) Pochwat, JózefRecenzja książki: Cyryl Aleksandryjski, "Komentarz do Pierwszego Listu św. Pawła do Koryntian", z języka greckiego, syryjskiego i armeńskiego przełożył, wstępem i objaśnieniami opatrzył Konrad F. Zawadzki, Edycja Świętego Pawła, Częstochowa 2022, ss. 261.
- ItemDoroczna Konferencja Północnoamerykańskiego Towarzystwa Patrystycznego (NAPS) (Chicago, USA, 26-28.05.2022)(Wydawnictwo KUL, 2022) Wysocki, MarcinSprawozdanie z dorocznej Konferencji Północnoamerykańskiego Towarzystwa Patrystycznego (NAPS), która odbyła się w dniach 26-28 maja 2022 w Chicago, USA.
- ItemA Book for the King. Some Reflections on the Situation of the Roman Population and the Preservation of the Heritage of Ancient Civilization in Gallaecia and Lusitania in the 5th and 6th Centuries(Wydawnictwo KUL, 2022) Wilczyński, MarekSaint Martin of Braga, active in Gallaecia in the second half of the 6th century, referred to cardinal virtues in several of his writings, in accordance with the teachings of Seneca that he knew well. One of these works was Formula vitae honestae, given to Miro, king of Suebi and Gallaecia. The existence of Roman and “barbarian” elites in the kingdom of Suebi, capable of understanding the moral teachings of St. Martin of Braga in the 6th century, prompts reflection on the continuity of Roman culture and heritage of ancient civilisation in 160 years after the invasion of Hispania by Germanic tribes. The article contains some remarks on the preservation of Roman civilisation among the Roman elites in the times of the existence and development of the kingdom of Suebi , and on the processes of romanization of the tribal elites. The problem of the assimilation of the local population and Germanic newcomers, which was very interesting and specific to Gallaecia under the reign of Suebi, was also discussed.
- ItemCardinal Virtues in the Basil of Caesarea’s Writings. Philological and Historical Aspect(Wydawnictwo KUL, 2022) Kochanek, PiotrThe four cardinal virtues (prudence, moderation, justice and bravery) are frequently mentioned in the writings by the Bishop of Caesarea. Basil, as a theologian, writes about them in the context of Christian ethic and moral principles. The cardinal virtues are to help human beings achieve salvation, which is the main aim in the life of every confessor of Christ. Thus, one can say that these virtues are christocentrically directed. Basil based his analyses mainly on the ethical ideas of Plato, Aristotle and Plotinus. However, as a Christian intellectual, h4e went far beyond the scheme of these four virtues suggested by the Greek thinkers. The article consists of two parts. The first part contains mainly bibliographical information on the meaning of two notions: ἀρετή and virtus. The second part is the analysis of cardinal virtues in Basil’s writings and connections of Bishop of Caesarea’s aretology with Greek philosophy. Also here a lot of space is devoted to bibliographical information contained in the footnotes. In this way the article fulfils two functions: on one hand it gives the reader a useful bibliography, while on the other it presents the idea of cardinal virtues on the basis of the writings by Basil of Caesarea.
- ItemPamięć. Sposoby i cel pamiętania w chrześcijaństwie antycznym (XLVIII Spotkanie Badaczy Antyku Chrześcijańskiego, Instytut Patrystyczny Augustynianum, Rzym, 5-7.05.2022)(Wydawnictwo KUL, 2022) Wysocki, MarcinSprawozdanie z 48. spotkania badaczy antyku chrześcijańskiego, które odbyło się w dniach 5-7 maja 2022 w Istytucie Patrystycznym "Augustynianum" w Rzymie i było poświęcone tematowi: "Pamięć. Sposoby i cel pamiętania w chrześcijaństwie antycznym".
- ItemPosiedzenia Komisji Bizantynologicznej Polskiego Towarzystwa Historycznego (KB PTH) w roku akademickim 2021/2022(Wydawnictwo KUL, 2022) Kochanek, PiotrSprawozdanie z posiedzeń Komisji Bizantynologicznej Polskiego Towarzystwa Historycznego (KB PTH) w roku akademickim 2021/2022.
- ItemCould a Caliph Be Virtuous? Selected Aspects of the Image of Muslim Rulers in the "Chronography" of Theophanes the Confessor(Wydawnictwo KUL, 2022) Cecota, BłażejThe Chronicle of Theophanes the Confessor is one of the few Byzantine historiographical works in which so much space is devoted to the Islamic world and the first ruling caliphate. Of course, most references to Muslims concern mostly military issues – numerous Muslim invasions on Byzantine lands that were happening almost since the beginning of Islam. Also important was the way Theophanes treated Islam itself as a religion – as heresy. Therefore, it is hard to expect that the descriptions of the caliphs can be considered positive. In most of them, we find rather “evidence” of the greed, stupidity, or propensity to violence, which were to characterize the caliphs. Nevertheless, in the context of the answer to the question posed in the title – whether the caliph could be virtuous – it is worth taking a closer look at the image of the two rulers in the Chronography – Mu‘awiya and ‘Abd al-Malik. This text is dedicated to the first of these rulers.
- ItemEnemy of All Virtues: Once Again on the Image of Simeon the Great in the Oration “On the Treaty with the Bulgarians”(Wydawnictwo KUL, 2022) Marinow, KiriłThis article focuses on the Bulgarian Tsar Simeon I the Great (893-927), who in the second half of his reign entered into a protracted military and ideological conflict with the Byzantine Empire. He wished not only to extend his dominions at the expense of his southern neighbour, but also to equal him in titular power, and it is possible - although scholars differ on this point - that his aspirations reached even further, namely Constantinople itself. Either way, Bulgaria under his reign posed a serious threat to Byzantium and its main antagonist. The death of the Tsar in 927 and the conclusion of peace with the Empire by his son, Peter I (927-969), finally put an end to the conflict between both the states. The celebrations marking the conclusion of the agreement provided an opportunity to take stock. In a rhetorical speech written for the occasion, Simeon's actions and aspirations were severely criticised – through comparisons to figures from ancient literature and biblical texts, the Byzantine speaker discredited the attitude of this ruler. Comparisons to those of them who aroused negative connotations in listeners and readers deprived Simeon of all the virtues belonging to a Christian ruler and, above all, of the cardinal ones by which he should, above all, legitimise himself.
- ItemThe Catalogue of Virtues in the "Ecclesiastical History" of Sozomen of Bethelia(Wydawnictwo KUL, 2022) Bralewski, SławomirOn the one hand, in his Ecclesiastical History, Sozomen presented the qualities of the ruler he held in high esteem – Theodosius II; on the other, he listed characteristics of the ascetics he admired, the new sages, living – in his view – according to the principles of the best philosophy. Interestingly, in this presentation, he applied an almost identical set of virtues that he attributed to both rulers and monks. In both cases he equated piety with wisdom and made them the most important, leading virtues. They were the ones that conditioned the subsequent qualities. Thus, in Sozomen’s account, one can trace the theory of the unity of virtues characteristic of Socrates of Athens. It claimed that one cannot possess a particle of virtue without possessing the whole, nor can one possess one specific virtue without possessing all of them. It seems that the order of virtues used by Sozomen in the catalogue of virtues ascribed to Theodosius II is not accidental, and reflects their hierarchy: εὐσέβεια-σοφία φιλανθρωπία, ἀνδρεία, σωφροσύνη, δικαιοσύνη, φιλοτιμία, and μεγαλοψυχία. This hierarchy stems from the Christian values adopted by Sozomen.
- ItemAngelologia Ojców Kościoła (Sekcja Patrystyczna, Świdnica, 19-21 IX 2022)(Wydawnictwo KUL, 2022) Szczur, PiotrSprawozdanie ze spotkania Sekcji Patrystycznej w dniach 19-21 września 2022 roku w Świdnicy, zatytułowanego: Angelologia Ojców Kościoła.
- ItemKarol Piotr Kulpa, Tyconius’ Theological Reception of 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12, seria History of Biblical Exegesis 4, Mohr Siebeck, Tübingen 2022, ss. XIX + 319(Wydawnictwo KUL, 2022) Budzanowska-Weglenda, Dominika ŁucjaRecenzja książki Karola Piotra Kulpy, Tyconius’ Theological Reception of 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12, seria History of Biblical Exegesis 4, Mohr Siebeck, Tübingen 2022, ss. XIX + 319.
- ItemThe Temperance and Prudence of Simeon, the Bulgarian Ruler in the Letters of Nicholas Mystikos, Patriarch of Constantinople: Some Remarks(Wydawnictwo KUL, 2022) Leszka, Mirosław J.Between 912–927, Nicholas Mystikos, Patriarch of Constantinople maintained a correspondence with Simeon, ruler of Bulgaria. The goal of Nicholas’ correspondence was to persuade Simeon to end hostilities and make peace with Byzantium. For this purpose, he employed various methods and resorted to a variety of arguments. Appeals to temperance and prudence were clearly means of influencing Simeon to abandon military action and take steps that would bring peace. It seems that for Nicholas Mystikos, the primary criterion for recognizing Simeon as a temperate and prudent man were his actions in the political sphere and whether they were aligned with Byzantine interests.
- ItemThe Lost Cameo, the Vanished Statue of the Emperor and Constantine as a New Alexander(Wydawnictwo KUL, 2022) Grotowski, Piotr Ł.The aim of this paper is to propose a reinterpretation of the meaning of the lost colossus of Constantine the Great from the Forum of his name in Constantinople, in the light of the iconography of the emperor on the cameo from the cathedral in the Pomeranian town of Cammin. Although the gem was lost during the last war, it is known to us thanks to archival photographs and the plaster cast housed at Göttingen University. On this basis, Gerda Bruns associated the jewel with the statue of Constantine on the porphyry column in the New Rome, and her identification has since been widely accepted by the scholarly milieu. In recent years one has been able to observe growing popularity of this interpretation among researchers, who however refrain in their studies from pointing to the consequences of such a reconstruction of the statue’s form. The author of this paper points out that Constantine purposefully chose the iconographical type of Alexander-ktistes as a model for his own representation in order to allude to his great predecessor and the founder of a number of cities which bore his name. The iconography of the statue became then a part of the programme of the celebrations arranged on the occasion of the dedication of Constantinople, in which numerous references to Alexander played the key role. This new understanding of the colossus, placing its significance within the frames of political propaganda, better matches the actual historical circumstances and the ruler’s attitude towards Christendom than traditional interpretations which recognised the statue as Helios or Apollo, and thus introduced an incoherence — difficult to explain — in Constantine’s attitude towards the new religion. This cumbersome question, which baffled the inquisitive minds already in the Constantinople of the Byzantine era, will be considered unsubstantial if we correctly interpret the monument on the Forum solely in the political and propagandistic context.
- ItemChrześcijanie epoki patrystycznej wobec świata przyrody (IV Międzynarodowa Konferencja Patrystyczna, KUL, Lublin, 18-20.10.2022)(Wydawnictwo KUL, 2022) Wysocki, MarcinSprawozdanie z IV Międzynarodowej Konferencji Patrystycznej, poświęconej tematowi: "Chrześcijanie epoki patrystycznej wobec świata przyrody", która odbyła sie w Katolickim Uniwersytecie Lubelskim Jana Pawła II w dniach 18-20 października 2022.
- ItemPosiedzenia naukowe Komisji Badań nad Antykiem Chrześcijańskim KUL w latach 2017-2022(Wydawnictwo KUL, 2022) Wilk, PiotrSprawozdanie zawiera opis działalności Komisji Badań nad Antykiem Chrześcijańskim KUL w latach 2017-2022. W ramach sprawozdania zestawiono chronologicznie autorów i ich wystąpienia prezentowane na cyklicznych posiedzeniach Komisji.