No other place in the world is better suited to study the development and interaction of three major religious movements of Antiquity that are often labelled as “oriental”, Hellenistic Judaism, Early Christianity and Mithraism, than Rome. In the history of these three religions, the city played a pivotal role: Despite its ambiguous social position, the Jewish community of Rome was the largest in ancient Europe and culturally very diverse and dynamic (several catacombs in Rome, a synagogue in Ostia); after having quickly grown out of its Aramaic-speaking Palestinian matrix, the early Christian movement quickly settled in the capital and absorbed social forms, theological concepts, cultural expressions and leadership ambitions; and Mithraism – although commonly known as “cult of soldiers and traders along the Limes” – very likely originated among freedmen and lower officials in or around the capital when an unknown religious genius some time at the end of the 1st c. CE combined Persian folklore with astral speculation to forge a new “brotherhood for men”.
Rather than as “odd kids on the block”, or “cultural aliens”, in this course we will look at Judaism, Christianity and Mithraism as integral elements of the tremendously diverse spiritual landscape of imperial Rome. What does it mean to run such a religion in Rome when it comes to social structure, physical spaces or group-related language? How “eastern” could these religions remain, and how “Roman” did they need to become to survive in an environment as challenging and inspiring as the caput mundi?
In this class we will explore central sites, literary and non-literary texts and traditions of these three religions in and around Rome, critically reflect the impact the urban environment of Rome had on their formation and investigate elements of their reception in the following centuries of Western intellectual history.
Lecturer(s)
Dr. Renske Janssen (Leiden University), Prof. dr. Jürgen K. Zangenberg (Leiden University)
Coordinator
Dr. Susanna de Beer (KNIR), Prof. dr. Jürgen K. Zangenberg (Leiden University)
Assessment and Grading
The study load is based on:
a) Readings in preparation before the start of the course; active participation, a short on-site presentation and a longer one at the KNIR, and an essay proposal (max. 2 pages with topic, preliminary research question, primary source[s] and minimum 4 titles of secondary literature): 3 ECTS (84 hours).
b) A course paper in the form of a coherent, academic essay of 4000 words: 2 ECTS (56 hours).
Assessment is based on the longer presentation (30 %), and the concluding essay (70 %).
Target group and entry requirements
(Research) MA and PhD Students of Classics, (Ancient) History, (Classical) Archaeology, Art History, Theology, Religious Studies from KNIR partner universities (University of Amsterdam, Free University of Amsterdam, Leiden University, Utrecht University, Radboud University, University of Groningen)
Credits
5 ects (140 hours)
Language
English for general communication in class and all class work and assignments, reading knowledge of modern languages like Italian, French, German or Dutch, as well as Classical Greek or Latin would be helpful but are not required.
Costs
Tuition and lodging at the KNIR is free for selected participants from the above mentioned Dutch universities. Personal expenses, including meals, are not included. Students receive a reimbursement of their travel expenses to Rome up to a maximum of €100 (or up to a maximum of €125 if they travel by train) after submission of their final essay.
Application and admission
The course is a selective course with a maximum of 15 participants. The selection of participants is based on grades, the added value of the course in the student’s curriculum, a letter of motivation, and the composition of the group. Students can apply via the link below; include in your application:
- a letter of motivation (max. 1 A4)
- a cv
- a recent list of courses followed and grades provided by your university
Enrolment deadline
1 december 2024. You will be notified about the outcome within two weeks. Please note that the decision of the selection committee is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
More info
E-mail: secretary@knir.it
Phone: (+39)063269621
© Photo: J.K. Zangenberg – Early Christian Necropolis Sarcophagus Three Sheep Bearers (Musei Vaticani) 2021 001a
© Photo tile: J.K. Zangenberg – Sanctuary of Mithras (S.Stefano Rotondo) Spelaeum Finds Cult relief Slaying of the Bull (Museo Nazionale Romano) (ImperiumA; Cat. 158) 2014 001d
