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The Apostles in Early Christian Art and Poetry presents the first in-depth analysis of the origins of the representation of the apostles (the twelve disciples and Paul) in verse and image in the late antique Greco-Roman world (250-400). Especially in the West, the apostles are omnipresent, in particular on sarcophagi and in Biblical and martyr poetry. They primarily function as witnesses of Christ’s stay on earth, but Peter and Paul are also popular saints of their own. Occasionally, the other apostles come to the fore as individual figures. Direct influence from art on poetry or vice versa appears to be difficult to trace, but principal developments of late antique society are reflected in the representation of the apostles in both media.
The Apostles in Early Christian Art and Poetry presents the first in-depth analysis of the origins of the representation of the apostles (the twelve disciples and Paul) in verse and image in the late antique Greco-Roman world (250-400). Especially in the West, the apostles are omnipresent, in particular on sarcophagi and in Biblical and martyr poetry. They primarily function as witnesses of Christ’s stay on earth, but Peter and Paul are also popular saints of their own. Occasionally, the other apostles come to the fore as individual figures. Direct influence from art on poetry or vice versa appears to be difficult to trace, but principal developments of late antique society are reflected in the representation of the apostles in both media.
Abstract
The apostle Peter became a widespread and popular Christian figure soon after his death. Therefore, he was used as an anchor for new practices and innovations introduced by people from different communities in the late antique and early mediaeval society. The role of Peter as a saint and anchor can only be captured by an interdisciplinary approach that takes the relevant historical circumstances and dynamics into account. First, Peter had to be anchored in Roman society. Only then came a second phase in which he could become a powerful anchor himself in domains as diverse as architecture, art, epigraphy, literature, liturgy and politics. The gradual emergence of a petrine topography in the city of Rome greatly contributed to the apostle's status and was closely linked to literary and iconographical developments. The legend of Peter’s water miracle, the apostle’s connection to the Roman Forum and his biographies in Jerome’s De viris illustribus and the Liber Pontifcalis are especially highlighted.
Abstract
The apostle Peter became a widespread and popular Christian figure soon after his death. Therefore, he was used as an anchor for new practices and innovations introduced by people from different communities in the late antique and early mediaeval society. The role of Peter as a saint and anchor can only be captured by an interdisciplinary approach that takes the relevant historical circumstances and dynamics into account. First, Peter had to be anchored in Roman society. Only then came a second phase in which he could become a powerful anchor himself in domains as diverse as architecture, art, epigraphy, literature, liturgy and politics. The gradual emergence of a petrine topography in the city of Rome greatly contributed to the apostle's status and was closely linked to literary and iconographical developments. The legend of Peter’s water miracle, the apostle’s connection to the Roman Forum and his biographies in Jerome’s De viris illustribus and the Liber Pontifcalis are especially highlighted.