medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
One of my grad students, our resident expert on demonology, tried to post
the following to the list, but was rejected as a non-member. Perhaps it
will still be of some use, although some of her points have already been
covered in the ensuing discussion.
Forwarded message:
> From: [log in to unmask] (Sarah Schwarz)
> To: Robert Kraft <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: Demonology, Origins
>
> Here's what I had originally intended to post to the list, although it
> was bounced:
>
> For a summary discussion of the "demonization" of pagan gods in
> late antiquity and forward, see Bengt Ankarloo and Stuart Clark's
> edited volume _Witchcraft and Magic in Europe" (there is a general
> essay on just this topic, but without the book in front of me I
> apologize for not being more specific.
> You might also look at Frank Trombley, "Paganism in the Greek
> World at the End of Antiquity: The Case of Rural Anatolia and
> Greece," HTR78 (1985): 327-52.
> Oh, and there's always Peter Brown, "Sorcery, Demons, and the
> Rise of Christianity," in Mary Douglas, ed., Witchcraft Confessions
> and Accusations (London, 1970).
>
> However, the discussion seems to have moved to sources and later
> representations, so I'm not sure that my references are still (or were
> ever!) relevant.
>
> The discussion on the earliest references to the gods of the pagans as
> demons seems to be missing my favorite representative of that cause,
> Justin Martyr, who says that the demons are masquerading as gods and
> have managed to trick the pagans into worshipping them, and it is this
> misguided demon worship that causes them to persecute Christians.
> However, as the topic has shifted to Latin sources and Byzantine saints,
> I think my late antique focus would be less appreciated. But thanks for
> it, in any case.
Sarah goes on to note that the PSCO paper from several years back by
George Nicklesburg is also useful for demonological discussions in the
early sources -- it has only recently been added to the PSCO site, thanks
to Sarah's editing of those old minutes on "Principalities and Powers:
Demons and Angels in the World of Late Antiquity" --
http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/psco/year25/
There may be other items of medieval-religion interest at that site as
well.
Bob
--
Robert A. Kraft, Religious Studies, University of Pennsylvania
227 Logan Hall (Philadelphia PA 19104-6304); tel. 215 898-5827
[log in to unmask]
http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/rs/rak/kraft.html
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