05: Late Rome, East and West
Cenobitic monasticism: a new community
What is going on in Benedict’s world to lead to this new order?
And why did it become so popular so quickly?
end of the classical world
the breakup of ancient Mediterranean society.
Greek-speaking Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium); Latin West; Islamic world
Change in religion: Christianity as main religion.
change in population, population centers in West
Christianity takes over Roman religion
Edict of Milan (313) to Theodosian decrees (391)
Christian Church spreads and uses new Imperial organization as model
Heroes and saints: from martyrs to ascetics
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Ascetic: Saint Alexius |
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St. Simeon Stylites (6th c image) |
Bartolomeo Montagna, Madonna and Child Between Saints Onofrius and John the Baptist |
Eremitic Monasticism: Saint Pachomius |
Eremitic Monasticism: Saint Anthony of Egypt |
Councils: Church leaders, emperor (Nicea, 325)
Heresy
authority
Roman authority: aspects survive in Church organization.
Rome and the Fall of the Empire in the West
“barbarian invasions”
Armies and border zones
ca 400+: larger groups of people, some very Romanized, others not
Visigoths Ostrogoths Vandals Huns (nomadic)
“Sack of Rome”: by Visigoths 410
Attila the Hun (r. 434-453) and Leo I (452)
“Fall of Empire in the West” 476 (deposition) or 480 (E. Emperor recognized Ostrogothic king)
ca 400 CE
ca 500 CE
ca 600 CE
Franks: into Roman Gaul Clovis 493
Lombards
Angles, Saxons
Monks and Monasticism
Ascetics:
- Simeon Stylites
- St. Alexis
Apostolic Life
Earlier models: Essenes
Benedict of Nursia (Norcia) ca. 480-547
- Rejects life in Rome
- Subiaco; Monte Cassino
- Sister: Saint Scholastica
Monte Cassino
Opus Dei
“Offices” Officia
Spread though European regions
Farfa Abbey
Reichenau Abbey Island
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Corvey Abbey |
Compline (Carthusian)
an example of the daily schedule of modern Benedictines
Regula:
Bodleian Library MS. Hatton 48
St. Gallen, Cod. Sang. 914
Albenga: Paleo-Christian Baptistery with pro-Trinitarian, anti-Arian art