Boethius, Justinian, and the Ravenna Mosaics
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- © Ruth Dwyer 2014
The fourth installment in the Ancient Symmetria series by Ruth Dwyer. This presentation expands on Emperor Justinian's interest in Boethius' writings, investigating the link between the Consolation of Philosophy and the mosaics in the churches of Ravenna, Italy. As well, this presentation reveals Ruth's discovery of a portrait of Boethius in San Vitale. This original research was presented at the 49th International Congress on Medieval Studies in 2014 in Kalamazoo, MI.
It's probably also significant that Boethius is standing right next to Justinian where he can whisper in the emperor's ear. He's standing to Justinian's left, but that also puts him right next to Maximianus where he can whisper in his ear as well, and he's on the favored right hand side of Maximianus.
I'm so glad I saw your video just now. In seven weeks I'm going to Ravenna to study mosaics. I enjoyed Boethius years ago; I'll order his Consolation now and read it again. Thank you so much.
I thought the mosaic next to Justinian was Belararius.
This Ruth Dwyer is so impressive.
She realized that the mosaics made of
Little pieces of almost indestructible
Tile, were much more than art.
They were messages from the past
About what people thought and feared
And dreamed of.
God bless her.
Brilliant!!
A fascinating insight into this period. A visit is definitely on my itinerary especially after a revised perspective of “ Consolation of Philosophy “.
Thank you for the great video. It is mindblowing, seeing the intricate relations of politics/science portrayed on the art. I wish there were more videos on these topics.
What you appear to be overlooking regarding Theta ~ because *all creative work is derivative*
In its archaic form, θ was written as: a cross within a circle (A symbol of a cross within a circle or Another symbol of a cross within a circle) and later, as a line or point within a circle (The symbol of a line within a circle or The symbol of a point within a circle).
*According to Porphyry of Tyros, the Egyptians used an X within a circle as a symbol of the soul; having a value of nine, it was used as a symbol for Ennead.*
Johannes Lydus says that the Egyptians used a symbol for Kosmos in the form of theta, with a fiery circle representing the world, and a snake spanning the middle representing Agathos Daimon.
*The Egyptians also used the symbol of a point within a circle (The symbol of a point within a circle, the sun disc) to represent the sun, which might be a possible origin of its use as the Sun's astrological glyph. It is worthwhile to note that θῆτα (theta) has the same numerical value in isopsephy as Ηλιος ( Helios): 318.*
In classical Athens, it was used as an abbreviation for the Greek θάνατος (thanatos, "death") and as it vaguely resembles a human skull, theta was used as a warning symbol of death, in the same way that skull and crossbones are used in modern times. It survives on potsherds used by Athenians when voting for the death penalty ...
@10:45 You seem to ignore how important the *meander/swastika* is to the ancient way of thinking calling them *squares and rectangles*
recall what I told you on your video about Pitagoras ... *the swastika incognito is the proof the fake Pythagoras used for the right triangle theorem!*
Another excellent presentation by Dr. Dwyer. Two comments: first, re the image of Abel holding the sacrificial lamb, I strongly recommend Hyam Maccoby's "The Sacred Executioner: Human Sacrifice and the Legacy of Guilt" (Thames & Hudson 1983). Maccoby holds that Cain did not murder Abel, he sacrificed him. This foundation sacrifice, made for the good of all, made Cain immune to punishment and he became the founder of the first city. Similarly, Romulus did not murder Remus, he sacrificed him. Second, on the diptych of Boethius, I interpret the chisel work on the back of Boethius' head as representing curly hair, which strengthens Dr. Dwyer's connection between the painted and cared images.
And all this…without an ingredient image.
In graven images…..I intended to type.
Time 24:26...
To the DR. who wrote this video...
I was born in Kalamazoo MI 6/1956 and spent 3 yrs in Western Michigan University in artist studies 1977-79...
I'm sitting here LOL... at seeing this text ! Good subject matter !