Source: Oxford Patristics.
Palazzo Falconieri, Accademia dell’Ungheria, ViaGiulia 1, Roma
An International Conference with the support of the Accademiadell’Ungheria di Roma Department of Medieval Studies, Central EuropeanUniversity, Budapest
Reading the fourth and fifth century Roman Empire interms of the interactions of ’pagans’ and ’Christians’ has provided the leadingparadigm for historical and theological discourse from late antiquity until themiddle of the twentieth century when András Alföldi presented a ChristianConstantine in conflict with a ’pagan’ Rome. This conflictual model has met with resistance as subsequent generationsof scholars have uncovered new evidence that has led to new interpretive modelsto better understand the social, cultural and political changes in Rome. Emphases on assimilation, inculturation, andtolerance for multiculturalism have replaced conflict. Even the categories of interpretation - `pagan’and `Christian’ – have been called into question as useful heuristic terms.
It is time now for a new assessment of what we knowabout ’pagans’ and `Christians’ in late antique Rome. This conference seeks to consider the religiousroles, identities and the discourses of power after the battle at the MilvianBridge opened the way for a new formulation of social and religious life inRome. We propose to discuss new material and textual evidence for the survivalof paganism and the expansion of Christianity in the fourth and fifth centurycity. New models for interpreting thecomplex evidences from the city will be considered along with shifting historicalparadigms that bear on changing interpretations of fourth-fifth century Rome.
In an effort to facilitate a wide-ranging,interdisciplinary conversation, we encourage scholars working in any discipline– history, archaeology, art history, religious studies, classical studies - tosubmit abstracts for papers. The organizers are particularly interested inpapers that focus on new material evidence, new interpretations of texts or newinterpretive paradigms with which to approach the nature of relations betweenpagans and Christians in fourth and fifth century Rome. The proceedings of theconference will be published.
Participants whose papers are accepted forpresentation will be offered accommodation in the Palazzo Falconieri and mealsfor the duration of the conference. Wecannot, however, underwrite travel expenses.
Please send proposals of 400 words for 20-minutepapers in English by 15 April 2012 to saghym@ceu.hu
Michele Salzman Rita LizziTesta Marianne Sághy
University of California Riverside Università di Perugia CEU Budapest
