The papacy and Byzantium in the seventh- and early eighth-century sections of the Liber pontificalis

The Liber pontificalis, the serial biography of the popes running from St Peter to the end of the ninth century, first compiled in Rome during the ‘Gothic wars’ in the sixth century and continued at various stages in the next three centuries, offers a distinctive narrative of the history of Rome and of the papacy in the early middle ages. This paper argues that the seventh- and early eighth-century sections, too often simply mined for nuggets of information about church buildings, represent the pope in a particular way both in relation to Byzantium in theological and political terms, and as the successor to St Peter in Rome. The papal narrative undermines the usual assumptions about the so-called Byzantine Reconquest and the Roman perception, if not the reality, of the degree to which ‘Byzantine rule’ was exercised in Italy between the middle of the sixth and first half of the eighth century. Lastly, these ‘continuations’ have important implications for any interpretation of the purpose and construction of the Liber pontificalis, and of its dissemination beyond Rome in the seventh and eighth centuries.This is the author accepted manuscript. It is currently under an indefinite embargo pending publication by Cambridge University Press

Solenne cantata nel Teatro Nuovo di Trieste in onore di Napoleone

Università degli Studi di Triest

Le scuole nelle provincie illiriche con speciale riguardo a quelle di Trieste

Università degli Studi di Triest

Patriottismo del '48 e il "Giornale di Trieste"

Università degli Studi di Triest

The influence of Ovid\u27s Phaethon

This is a study of the myth of Phaethon in Greek and Latin literature before, during and after Ovid\u27s time, and of the influence of Ovid\u27s Phaethon on later writers. The first part of the dissertation examines Greek versions still current in the time of Ovid: Phaethon as temple-keeper (Hesiod), lover of Aphrodite (attested by Clement of Alexandria), founder of dynasties (attested by Pausanias and Plutarch), charioteer of the sun-horses (known to us mainly through the fragments of Euripides). The renderings of the story present significant variants in plot (Euripides) or focus (prominence given to the Heliades, or to the liaison of Phaethon and Cycnus). A study of the Latin poets follows. This part of the dissertation examines the relationship of Latin writers to their Greek predecessors, discussing those who followed the Alexandrian pattern in their treatment of Phaethon (Catullus, Vergil) and those who did not (Lucretius, Horace). The chapter on Ovid studies the myth of Phaethon in the Metamorphosis and compares it with versions in other poets. The evidence shows that Ovid knew many different variants, but created an intensely personal Phaethon, radically different from that of the Greeks, Vergil, or Catullus, and akin to the interpretation of Lucretius, polemically adverse to the Greek myth, or Horace. While eschewing any specific philosophical allegiance, Ovid expresses his scepticism toward traditional religion: his Phaethon is the embodiment, in narrative and mythical, rather than philosophical, terms, of the Lucretian idea that the balance of the universe is precarious at best, and easily destroyed. Ovid\u27s influence was twofold. He shaped the image of Phaethon which was to become standard in late antiquity, obliterating other versions still popular in his time, and also polarized reactions to the myth by pagan and Christian writers. Christians identified with Ovid\u27s scepticism toward the Olympians, and considered Phaethon an exemplum of pride (Venantius Fortunatus). Traditionally-minded writers disapproved of Ovid\u27s interpretation: thus Manilius omitted details unflattering to the gods, Seneca considered Phaethon truly magnanimus, Nemesianus (in pointed opposition to Ovid) showed absolute reverence toward the Sun-god, Claudian used the myth of Phaethon to celebrate the glory of Rome

Festività e solennità allo scorcio dell'impero napoleonico

Università degli Studi di Triest

I Padri Mechitaristi in Trieste

Università degli Studi di Triest

Ultimi cambi della guardia nelle province illiriche

Continua in 1947 (10-11-12), pp. 207-215Università degli Studi di Triest