28953 - Ancient Christian Literature (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

A general acquaintance with the early Christian literature and its historical development from the beginnings to the 8th century. This goal is aimed at mainly through studies on single authors and their writings, within the context of classical literatures and also with a look to the reception of early Christian literature in the Middle Ages and in modern times. The student should also familiarise himself with the existence of a literary heritage of eastern Christianity, especially the Syriac and Coptic literature.

Course contents

“The model of the devout gnostic: the 7th book of the Stromata of Clement of Alexandria”.  
Clement of Alexandria (ca.150-ca. 220) is the initiator of the “school of Alexandria”, the most important cultural tradition in ancient Christianity, especially with regard to the relationship with Hellenism and the allegorical interpretation of the Bible. He is the author of several writings, which address a cultivated readership, mainly of Christians but also of pagans. At their centre there is a trilogy, whose theme is the itinerary of Christian life from conversion to perfection: the Protreptic, the Paedagogus and the Stromata. Stromata are a miscellaneous work, developing among other things the idea that Greek philosophy should be regarded as a partial “revelation” concurring with the Holy Scriptures to form the Christian doctrine. The 7th book deals with the ideal of perfection of the Christian “gnostic” and more particularly with prayer as a form of life. The course will focus on the relationship between on the one hand philosophic and literary sources and on the other hand the Jewish-Christian Scriptures. 

Readings/Bibliography

Main recommended readings:
– Clément d'Alexandrie. Les Stromates: Stromate VII, ed. A. Le Boulluec  (Sources Chrétiennes, 428), Cerf, Paris 1997.
– Clemente Alessandrino. Stromati. Note di vera filosofia, Introduzione, traduzione e note di G. Pini, Edizioni Paoline, Milano 1985.
A general bibliography will be at the disposal of the students at the beginning of the course.

Teaching methods

Reading, translation and commentary of the text.

Assessment methods

Oral examination. The program includes: a) Reading and interpretation of Clement of Alexandria, Stromata, Book 7 (with the translation from the Greek text for the students of classics); b) Reading of Clement of Alexandria, Stromata or the Protreptic or the Paedagogus; c) Reading of a monograph or a series of articles to be chosen from the general bibliography of the course; d) Reading of a handbook of Early Christian literature to be chosen among several options. 
A different program will be arranged for the students who are not able to follow the course.

Office hours

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