And many moisten linen cloths

With blood that oozes from his wounds

To keep as relics in their homes

For generations yet to come.

-Prudentius

Ancient Mediterranean Relics

From the bones of heroes to the Ark of the Covenant, the first part of this course examines sacred objects in pre-Christian traditions, kicking off a course-long discussion of what it meant for an object to be sacred or holy. Students will become familiar with the different powers and divine origins associated with such objects in these traditions.

The cult of relics that later grew out of the veneration of martyrs was not uncontroversial. Not only did it contravene ancient taboos on the treatment of corpses, but it also agitated Christian fears of idolatry and syncretism. This module examines pagan and Christian works on relic veneration and the early formation of a doctrine of relics.

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