Module 2 Flashcards
Tatian, ca. 120-180 AD.
Christian theologian of the second century
Important works: Oratio ad Graecos.
Rebukes all sorts of magic as being controlled and given by demons. Designed to enslave mankind and turn people away from God.
John Chrysostom, ca. 347-407 AD.
Preached against women resorting to magic to save their dying children instead of using Christian means.
Tertullian, ca. 160-225 AD.
Claimed women were more inclined to magical practices, and that demons taught them the power of herbs. Herbs have power, but women needed demons to learn about them.
Augustine of Hippo, ca. 354-430 AD.
Important works: Civitas Dei, written as response to the idea that the Roman Empire fell because of Christianity. He wrote that Roman religion was to blame because all magic is worked by demons.
Synod in Elvira, Spain: 306 AD.
Pronounced that people who had killed others via maleficium could not receive communion, even on their deathbeds.
Pre-Christian Roman Empire (thru. ~312 AD)
Only punished harmful magic. Latin was widely used and Greek influence was heavy.
Post-Christianity Roman Empire (from ~312 AD)
Punished all types of magic, including natural magic, with death. Greek fell out of use and Latin became the privilege of the clerical elite.
Introduced Theodosian Code in 439 and the code of Justinian in 529.
Penitentials (early Christianized Roman Empire)
Sort of manual for confessors; prescribed varying lengths of penance, but denied that magic could affect nature or people’s minds which were the domains of God. Penance was mainly for actions rather than thoughts.
Only harmful magic punished
Through 312 AD, ended with conversion to Christianity in Roman Empire
All magic punished - thought to be demonic, sentence was penance or death depending on infraction
From ~312 through 12th century: introduction of Christianity through rise of natural magic like alchemy and astrology
