HoP 315 - Wiser Than Men - Gender in Byzantium
The role of women in Byzantine society and the complex attitudes surrounding eunuchs: did they make up a “third gender”?
The role of women in Byzantine society and the complex attitudes surrounding eunuchs: did they make up a “third gender”?
A chat about commentaries on Aristotle from Byzantium with guest Katerina Ierodiakonou.
Psellos and other experts in rhetoric explore how this art of persuasion relates to philosophy.
Byzantine political thought from the time of Justinian down to the Palaiologos dynasty wrestles with the nature and scope of imperial power.
The trial of John Italos and other signs of Byzantine disquiet with the pagan philosophical tradition.
Dominic O'Meara speaks to Peter about Michael Psellos, focusing especially on his political philosophy.
Michael Psellos and his attitude towards pagan philosophy and the political life.
Photius, “the inventor of the book review,” and other Byzantine scholars who preserved ancient learning.
Peter is joined by Andrew Louth for a discussion of John of Damascus and his theological use of philosophy.
John of Damascus helps to shape the Byzantine understanding of humankind and the veneration of images, despite living in Islamic territory.
Is it idolatry to venerate an icon of a saint, or of Christ? The dispute leads the Byzantines to ponder the relation between an image and its object.
Eastern Christian philosophy outside of Constantinople, focusing on translation and exegesis in the languages of Syriac and Armenian.
We begin to look at the third tradition of medieval philosophy, in which the heritage of classical antiquity is preserved and debated by the Byzantines.
New ideas and and new universities in Italy and greater Germany including Vienna and Prague, where Jan Hus carries on the radical ideas of Wyclif.
John Wyclif refutes nominalism and inspires the Lollard movement, which anticipated Reformation thought with its critique of the church.
Jean Gerson’s role in the political disputes of his day, the spread of lay devotion and affective mysticism, and the debate over the Romance of the Rose initiated by Christine de Pizan.
Medieval attitudes towards homosexuality, sex and chastity, and the status of women. Authors discussed include Aquinas, Catherine of Siena, and Chaucer.
Julian of Norwich’s Shewings and the Cloud of Unknowing lay out challenging paths to knowledge of, and union with, God.
Be surprised by how many philosophical problems arise in connection with angels (how many can dance on the head of a pin is not one of them).
Dietrich of Freiberg, Berthold of Moosburg, John Tauler and Henry Suso explore Neoplatonism and mysticism.