Pagan origins of Christianity / adoption of pagan religious practices Flashcards
What practices and traditions did Christianity adopt from pagan religion/cults and why?
Which 2 regions can be used as evidence for the Christian adoption of pagan religious practices?
Britain and Italy (and Sicily and Sardinia)
What 6 factors are useful in analysing the adoption of pagan religion in Britain?
Festivals and celebrations; Sacred sites and worship spaces; Symbolism and iconography; Saints and local deities; Rituals and ceremonies; Religious symbols and objects
What can festivals and celebrations tell us about the adoption of pagan religious practices in Britain?
Excavations at sites like Stonehenge and Roman villas in Britain have uncovered evidence of winter solstice celebrations, likely influencing the timing of Christian festivals like Christmas. Plus historical documents and church records of Latin references to Christianisation of pagan holidays
What can sacred sites and worship spaces tell us about the adoption of pagan religious practices in Britain?
Archaeological investigations of early Christian churches and religious sites often reveal evidence of earlier pagan structures or religious practices. E.g. churches built in former pagan sites may incorporate reused building materials or be oriented in a way that aligns with pre-existing sacred landscapes. Excavations at sites like the Glastonbury Abbey in England have uncovered evidence of pre-Christian religious activity, including ritual burials and offerings beneath Christian structures.
What can symbolism and iconography tell us about the adoption of pagan religious practices in Britain?
Archaeological finds, such as artefacts, carvings, artwork can provide evidence of shared symbols and iconography between pagan and Christian traditions. E.g. Christian crosses decorated with interlaced patterns similar to those found in Celtic art suggest a blending of religious symbols. Additionally, inscriptions and graffiti may contain Christian symbols alongside earlier pagan motifs, indicating a process of cultural exchange and adaptation.
How is the chi-rho symbol relevant to the adoption of pagan religious practices in Britain?
Mention chi-rho symbol as evidence for the integration of Christian and pagan/classical symbols - mosaics in England such as Lullingstone Villa and the Hinton St. Mary mosaic that has the usage of a Christian symbol alongside classical Roman motifs which are drawn from pagan religious art. Also use the Mildenhall treasure: Oceanus Dish decorated with scenes of Bacchic worship, but was used in a liturgical context
What can saints and local deities tell us about the adoption of pagan religious practices in Britain?
Archaeological evidence such as inscriptions, shrines and relics can shed light on the veneration of saints and local deities in pre-Christian and early Christian Britain. E.g. dedicating inscriptions of saints found at archaeological sites indicate the presence of Celtic activity and the adoption of Christian saints as replacements for earlier pagan deities. Similarly discovery of Christian artefacts alongside offerings to pre-Christian gods suggests a process of syncretism and continuity of religious practice
What can ritual and ceremonies tell us about the adoption of pagan religious practices in Britain?
Archaeological evidence can provide insights into the performance of rituals and ceremonies in both pagan and Christian contexts. Excavations in Roman villas, hillforts and early Christian churches may uncover evidence of ritual activity, such as altars, sacrificial deposits and ritual objects. By comparing material remains and architectural features, archaeologists can identify similarities and differences in religious practices
What can religious symbols and objects tell us about the adoption of pagan religious practices in Britain?
Archaeological finds, such as artefacts and grave goods, can reveal use of religious symbols and objects in both pagan and Christian context. E.g. the discovery of Christian amulets, talismans and inscribed objects suggests the continuation of protective and apotropaic practices from pre-Christian times. Similarly, the presence of pagan symbols, such as solar motifs and fertility symbols, alongside Christian imagery indicates a blendings of religious traditions and the persistence of pagan beliefs in Christianised societies
What 4 factors are useful in analysing the adoption of pagan religion in Italy, Sicily and Sardinia?
Festivals and celebrations; Sacred sites and worship spaces; Symbolism and iconography; Saints and local deities
What can festivals and celebrations tell us about the adoption of religious practices in the Italian regions?
E.g. the ruins of the Temple of Saturn in Rome and the Temple of Hera in Sicily provide insight into the religious practices and festivals of ancient Roman and Greek paganism. Comparison of these sites with early Christian churches and basilicas can reveal similarities in architectural features and spatial organisation indicating the adaptation of pagan traditions to Christian worship.
What can sacred sites and worship spaces tell us about the adoption of religious practices in the Italian regions?
Archaeological investigations often reveal evidence of continuity between pre-Christian and Christian religious practices. For instance, churches built on the sites of former pagan temples may incorporate reused building material or be oriented in a way that aligns with pre-existing sacred landscapes. Excavations at sites like the catacombs of Rome or the Valley of the Temples in Sicily indicate a process of cultural exchange
What can symbolism and iconography tell us about the adoption of religious practices in the Italian regions?
The catacombs of San Gennaro in Naples contain frescoes depicting Christian themes alongside classical motifs, suggesting a blending of religious iconography.
What can saints and local deities tell us about the adoption of religious practices in the Italian regions?
The Basilica of San Gennaro ad Antignano in Naples contains relics of the Christian martyr Saint Gennaro alongside earlier pagan artefacts.
What is a potential problem with analysing the adoption of pagan religious practices?
Sometimes classical iconography or items emblematic of the classical age are utilised for their connotations of a previous culturally-rich period, rather than for their religious content
