Language:
French
Year of publication:
2019
Titel der Quelle:
Semitica et Classica; revue internationale d'études orientales et méditerranéennes
Angaben zur Quelle:
26 (2019) 129-143
Keywords:
Egeria, Diaries
;
Archelaus,
;
Hegemonius.
;
Christian literature, Early History and criticism
;
Harran (Turkey)
Abstract:
Two Christian texts written in the second half of the fourth century-the Itinerarium ad loca sancta by Egeria (circa 384) and the Acta Archelai by Hegemonius (circa 345)- offer two different images of the Mesopotamian city of Carrhae (Harran), well known from the high antiquity for its temple in honour of a lunar deity and its devotion to paganism, as well as for its strategic position and commercial importance. In her travel diary, Egeria describes her three-day stay in Carrhae, from her arrival on 23rd of April, 384. Although she visits some places linked to Abraham, the tomb of a martyr and meets monks in the environs of Carrhae, she remarks that there are no Christians at all in the city itself, only pagans. An entirely different image of the city is delivered by Hegemonius, who sets a disputatio between Mani and bishop Archelaus in Carrhae, around 276, in the presence of a large Christian public and the most eminent personage of the city, Marcellus, described as a fervent Christian. We show that this Christianised vision of Carrhae does not match the historical, religious and social situation of the city. We face an artificial reinterpretation by Hegemonius who, nevertheless, has a good geographical knowledge of the region. As for Marcellus, we argue, by an analysis of his public functions, that he is a high-ranking Roman imperial official who, given the time of the events, is most likely pagan. Moreover, the judges who chair the debate, and the elites they are mean to represent, are pagan. Besides, no Christian bishop is known in Carrhae before 361.
DOI:
10.1484/J.SEC.5.119656
URL:
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