CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2016
| Author | Ahunanya, Johnbosco Kelechi |
|---|---|
| Title | Transfer of authority: the traditio legis motif on christian sarcophagi in fourth-century rome |
| Summary | This thesis focuses on the traditio legis motif, as found on fourth-century sarcophagi in Rome. Scholars previously interpreted this motif as the replacement of the old Mosaic Law by the new Law, which Christ gives to Apostle Peter in the presence of Apostle Paul. Thus, they also called it ‘the Lord gives the Law’ scene. However, the assessment of this motif in the context of the debates and events of the fourth-century, especially in Rome, reveals that it might rather primarily express the establishment and the transfer of authority from Christ to Peter, and, hence the establishment of the apostolic linage. I approached the idea of the transfer of authority by analyzing other motifs that are found alongside the traditio legis on Roman sarcophagi. I also analyzed the scriptural topoi and narratives to clarify this notion. A significant scene was the ascension of Elijah, during which he hands over the mantle of leadership and authority to his disciple, Elisha. Other motives currently used in the Roman sarcophagi are Moses receiving the Law and eschatological scenes. For these reasons, I argue that, although the traditio legis expresses the transfer of a new law, its primary interpretation might be the divine origin of power and its transfer to humans. |
| Supervisor | Sághy Marianne; Menze Volker |
| Department | Medieval Studies MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2016/ahunanya_kelechi.pdf |
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