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Early Monasticism and Classical Paideia
Early Monasticism and Classical Paideia
Monasticism has played a major role in European history, especially
for education and literature. Its emergence has, however, been seen as a
break with classical education. On the basis of new discoveries and
unresearched sources the program investigates how early monasticism can
be understood in continuity with the paideia of Late Antiquity, in
particular the philosophical schools.
Monasticism has been a decisive factor in the formation of Christian
culture. With an emphasis on literacy and literature monasteries have
been centres of education throughout the centuries. In spite of this,
the role of early monasticism in the transmission and transformation of
classical culture, has received little attention. Due to a focus on the
West, and prejudices about illiteracy and anti-intellectualism in early
Eastern monasticism, essential questions about early monastic education
and its links to pagan school traditions, have not been asked.
Recent research has shown that teaching and literacy were important in early monasticism in Egypt and Palestine, and that there are strong links to pagan school traditions, both rhetorical and philosophical.
With a focus on the Gaza region, we will study texts and other material
on the basis of a theory of continuity with and transformation of the
classical heritage. Within the program editions will be made of texts
from the apophthegmata tradition
in Greek, Syriac and Arabic. The apophthegmata, as well as texts by
important monastic authors from the region, will be analyzed in relation
to classical educational material and literary models with the help of a
variety of perspectives and methods. Through seven different projects
the program aims at giving a substantial contribution to our
understanding of the emergence of Christian culture and modes of
education and thus to the relation between Antiquity and Christianity.
The research program Early Monasticism and Classical Paideia is based at the Centre for Theology and Religious Studies at Lund University and directed by professor Samuel Rubenson. It gratefully acknowledges the sponsorship of the Bank of Sweden Tercenary Foundation.
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