Zeitschrift für Antikes Christentum / Journal of Ancient Christianity

Published by De Gruyter

Volume 18 Issue 2

Issue of Zeitschrift für Antikes Christentum / Journal of Ancient Christianity

Contents
Journal Overview

Publicly Available November 22, 2014

Titelei

Page range: i-iv

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Artikel

November 22, 2014

Das Martyrium als imitatio Christi: Die literarische Gestaltung der spätantiken Märtyrerakten und -passionen nach der Passion Christi

Maarten Taveirne

Page range: 167-203

Abstract

From the beginning of Christianity, the martyrs have been deemed paragons of the ideal of imitatio Christi, their willingness to lose their life for Christ’s sake proving their perfect discipleship. This article examines how martyrdom is literarily framed as an imitation of the Passion of Christ within the Latin acta martyrum and passiones from the 4th to 6th centuries. After an outline of the imitation concept in the New Testament, several instances from those late antique stories reveal a literary technique to deepen the description of the martyrdom by means of inserting quotations from and allusions to the Passion into the martyr narrative. In this manner the martyrdom account relates to the Passion of Christ, and-to at least some extent-renews its model. Two early instances (the stoning of Stephen [Acts 6:8−7:60] and the Martyrium Polycarpi) demonstrate that such stylization is no late antique innovation but dates back to the era of the Apostolic Fathers. Observations in the late antique narrative show its continuing popularity, but also a restraint in identifying the martyrs too much with Christ. By limiting the references, both quantitatively and qualitatively, the hagiographers made sure that (even a partial) imitation of the Passion of Christ in no way would amount to rivalry with the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus.

November 22, 2014

Tertullian and Ancient Embryology in De carne Christi 4,1 and 19,3−4

Petr Kitzler

Page range: 204-209

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to illuminate two passages from Tertullian’s De carne Christi (4,1 and 19,3−4) that are connected to the physical nativity of Christ, by examining their medical context, since they both allude to ancient embryology. First, the obscure phrase genitalia in utero elementa (4,1) is placed within the context of Galen’s theory of conception; second, Tertullian’s comments on the nature of male semen and its qualities (19,3−4) are correlated to similar concepts advocated by Aristotle and Galen.

November 22, 2014

The Pseudo-Iliberritan Canon Texts

Josep Vilella

Page range: 210-259

Abstract

Both lexico-syntactic analysis and comparative study of the content of the texts attributed to the supposed Council of Elvira reveal that this canonical series is the result of the compilation and modification, before the mid-6th century, of precepts from various times and places. After an introduction dedicated to the textual transmission of these canons and the methodologies applied to their study, the paper then explains the characteristics of the parts from which the extensive pseudo-Iliberritan list we have today was put together, mentioning which parts were later additions. Next, the paper focuses on disciplinary practices, demonstrating the non-unitary nature of the catalogue and providing important indications regarding the time parameters. The paper also looks at some of the conspicuous themes dealt with in the series of decrees. When these decrees are compared against the extant pool of documents, they continue to provide important details on the dates and provide a deeper understanding of various statements.

November 22, 2014

Neue griechische Fragmente des Cyrill von Alexandrien, (Pseudo-)Athanasius, Philoxenos, Severus von Antiochien und Ammonios: patristische Auslegungen zum 1. Korintherbrief (ediert aus dem Codex Pantokratoros 28)

Konrad F. Zawadzki

Page range: 260-282

Abstract

This paper provides the first edition of five previously unknown Greek fragments of Cyril of Alexandria, (Pseudo-)Athanasius, Philoxenos, Severus of Antioch, and Ammonios. Since all these fragments have survived only in the Codex Pantokratoros 28, in the first part of this paper the reader will find some important basic information about the age of this manuscript, its text-critical value and content. The special focus of this introductory part is on the catena commentary on 1 Corinthians which has survived in the Codex Pantokratoros 28 and from which the edited texts are. The main part of this paper presents an edition, translation, and commentary of the five fragments mentioned above. The commentary concentrates on questions concerning the authorship of the texts, their theological content and-insofar it is necessary for the proper understanding of the fragments-text-critical problems.

November 22, 2014

Why care for the poor? The role of almsgiving in Jerome’s asceticism

Geoffrey D. Dunn

Page range: 283-301

Abstract

The question of Christian almsgiving in late antiquity is one that has received fresh treatment recently in Richard D. Finn’s monograph, and the issue of wealth and poverty in this period is the subject of a number of current international scholarly projects. This paper considers the place of almsgiving in Jerome’s vision of asceticism found in his advice to wealthy Christians. When one reads Jerome’s letters to Furia (Epistula 54), Lucinius (Epistula 71), Oceanus (Epistula 77), Salvina (Epistula 79), Eustochium (Epistula 108), Julian (Epistula 118), Ageruchia (Epistula 123), and Demetrias (Epistula 130), where the parable of the wily manager (Luke 16:9 in particular) is employed, as well as in other letters containing ascetical advice that do not employ the parable, it would be easy to conclude that the purpose of almsgiving for Jerome was soteriological self-interest. It will be argued here that to reach such a conclusion would be to fail to appreciate his rhetorical strategies employed in these letters addressed to wealthy Christians. Jerome’s vitriolic treatise Contra Vigilantium, written for a different kind of audience and with a different purpose in mind, as recently investigated by David G. Hunter, also contains references to almsgiving. In it the poor are not simply the objects enabling the wealthy to be saved but are considered in terms of social justice and equity as subjects whose needs must be addressed.

November 22, 2014

Nostis qui in schola Christi eruditi estis, Iacob ipsum esse Israel: Sermo 122, In Iohannis euangelium tractatus 7 and the Donatist and Pelagian Controversies

Maarten Wisse, Anthony Dupont

Page range: 302-325

November 22, 2014

Rezensionen

Morwenna Ludlow, Hans Georg Thümmel, Hartmut Leppin, Johan Leemans, Jorit Wintjes, Dmitrij Bumazhnov, Maijastina Kahlos, J. Patout Burns, Oliver Ehlen

Page range: 326-354

November 22, 2014

Kurzanzeigen

Peter Gemeinhardt

Page range: 355-364

About this journal

The Journal of Ancient Christianity aims to publish original, international research from various disciplines of ancient Christianity and to bring these research topics into dialogue. Essays are welcome from patristics or patrology, history of antiquity and late antiquity, classical philology, (late) ancient history of philosophy, and archaeology, as are contributions on epigraphy, papyrology, manuscript studies, edition techniques, ancient legal history, etc. The journal also considers sources from the Christian Orient (Syriac, Coptic, Ethiopian, etc.) and offers space for short critical editions.

The journal is not restricted to a particular program in terms of content or methodology, but instead is open to new research initiatives. Thus, the journal does not impose a particular concept of "antiquity" or "late antiquity," although it does concentrate on the period from the 2nd to the 8th century. The focus is on ancient and late antique Christianity in its entire breadth, i.e., with its various religious practices, theories, concepts, and group formations, inasmuch as these represent integral aspects of (late) antique culture.

The journal is open to all those interested in ancient and late antique Christianity, regardless of origin, religion, denomination, language, gender, or status. It is committed to making source texts accessible in their original languages and therefore requires precise information on the critical editions used for all citations. A separate section with in-depth reviews is devoted to critical discussion of current research findings. Once a year, a thematic issue offers guest editors the opportunity to publish the results of smaller conferences or workshops.

The length of the individual essay should not exceed 60,000 characters (including spaces). Articles may be written in English, German, French, or Italian and should include an English abstract. The journal accepts articles for publication based on a peer review process and maintains high editorial standards.