Project Details
Popular science description
To many Christians, the Virgin Mary is so much more than just any Jewish girl. How did this happen? The project examines the emerging Marian piety in Constantinople in the sixth century by looking at representation of her i poetry.
The Justinian era and the sixth century was a time of transformation, and what would later be known as the Byzantine Empire emerged. The public spaces of Constantinople became Christianized in a more profound way, and one of the major changes was that the Virgin Mary came to play a greater role in cult and devotion.
But who is this Mary entering into the churches of Constantinople? What was so important about her? What aspect of her person did the sixth century emphasize? Was she a mother, and if so, to whom? Or a virgin, and if so, why?
The best place to look for answers is perhaps in icons and hymns. I work on a dissertation on the Mary-figure in the hymns of Romanos the Melodist (ca. 490-556) where the Mother of God often serves as the eloquent main character of the drama.
The Justinian era and the sixth century was a time of transformation, and what would later be known as the Byzantine Empire emerged. The public spaces of Constantinople became Christianized in a more profound way, and one of the major changes was that the Virgin Mary came to play a greater role in cult and devotion.
But who is this Mary entering into the churches of Constantinople? What was so important about her? What aspect of her person did the sixth century emphasize? Was she a mother, and if so, to whom? Or a virgin, and if so, why?
The best place to look for answers is perhaps in icons and hymns. I work on a dissertation on the Mary-figure in the hymns of Romanos the Melodist (ca. 490-556) where the Mother of God often serves as the eloquent main character of the drama.
| Status | Finished |
|---|---|
| Effective start/end date | 2008/09/01 → 2014/12/31 |