Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

corpus-paul - Re: Dignitas and Pauline social values

corpus-paul AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Corpus-Paul

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: Edgar Krentz <ekrentz AT earthlink.net>
  • To: "Corpus-paul" <corpus-paul AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: Re: Dignitas and Pauline social values
  • Date: Tue, 26 Mar 2002 09:21:17 -0800


At 4:53 PM +1030 3/26/02, Tim Harris wrote:
Seeing things are somewhat quiet at present on C-P, let me throw out an issue I'm working through as part of my doctorate at present (Pauline notions of humility and deference in Graeco-Roman perspective).

I'm reviewing social values related to notions of status and public standing in Graeco-Roman contexts. Dignitas is undoubtedly one of the most fundamental qualities from a Roman perspective, drawing together genealogical pedigree, city/town, tribe and genus of origin, achievements in public and military life (esp. the cursus honorum), property and wealth, intelligence and rhetorical ability, pride, integrity and reputation. However, dignitas is by definition an elitist notion, and only truly applies to the smallest of minorities in Roman social order. Does it have a Hellenistic equivalent?

I would recommend that you read

J. E. Lendon, Empire of Honour: The Art of Government in the Roman World. Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press, 2001 (paperback reprint of 1997 work). His bibliography and notes will make clear that status, honor, etc. were concerns that went throughout the Roman empire.

Richard P. Saller. Personal Patronage Under the Early Empire: Cambridge: at the University Press, 1982.

P. Garnsey and R. Saller. The Roman Empire. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Preess, 1987.

Humility was not a virtue among the Greeks Aristotle calls it the characteristic of the slave. It is opposed to parrhesia, the characteristic of the free person.

And, look at the items that Mark Nanos mentioned too!

Edgar Krentz
--
****************************************************************
Edgar Krentz
Christ Seminary--Seminex Professor of New Testament, Emeritus
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
1100 East 55th Street, Chicago, IL 60615
Tel: 773-256-0773; home phone 773-947-8105
Phone while in California: 510-540-6838
home e-mail: ekrentz AT earthlink.net
------------------------------------------------------------
GERASKO D' AEI POLLA DIDASKOMENOS
"I grow old, constantly learning many things." [Solon of Athens]
***************************************************************




Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page