ALATA · The Making of Angels in Late Antiquity: Theology and Aesthetics

The Making of Angels in Late Antiquity: Theology and Aesthetics

I. Angels as key to Late Antiquity A new way to look at religion is to focus on the origin of angels in the ancient Mediterranean. The concept of intermediary beings, which act as a link between mankind and the divine level, is common to most cultures, past and present. Our primary objective is to provide a comprehensive view of angels in Late Antiquity in order to detect, analyse and interpret the making of Christian angels, as an insight into the change of civilization which took place during that period. We study specifically the Eastern regions of the Roman Empire, i.e. Ancient Egypt, Ancient Palestine, and Ancient Syria, during the Byzantine era (fifth-sixth centuries). Greek, Coptic and Syriac are the main languages with which we are working. II. Social and cultural dynamics The world of Late Antiquity looks strikingly similar to ours. A global structure regulates an infinity of internal interactions, due to the extraordinary variety of its societies. The metaphor of a mosaic of people, languages, and ideas suitably applies. We confront and contrast the different angelologies of that time in order to show that angels are a red thread to assess contacts and reciprocal influences. We investigate the relation between an intellectual type of reflection on angels (philosophy and theology) with the way religious practices are at work among the various populations. Our study’s goal is to uncover and explain the mechanisms that play a part in the making of the notion of angels. III. The image issue Angels stand at the core of the problematic regarding the essence of divine images and their very existence. In the Old Testament, one of the Commandments forbids any type of representation (Ex 20:4-5; Deut 5:8-9). The only exception concerns the two Cherubim who were figured on the Ark of the Covenant (Ex 25:18-20). Therefore, we explore how the invisible idea of angels is visually transcribed in terms of image, in the period which precedes the Byzantine quarrel of Iconoclasm. The issue of representing angels helps thinking the entire question of aesthetics in Late Antiquity, a fascinating process of exchange, conflict and ultimately (re)appropriation by the period of its own identity. The project demonstrated that angels are much more than just pretty, floating figures dressed in white, with wings. It provided the necessary source material (ancient texts and images) and the relevant methodological frame to reach innovative, important research results in the fields of history, philosophy, theology, religion, and arts. A broader reflection in terms of impact on society accompanied the scientific development of the action.

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