Michael C. Sloan Phd Thesis
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The Harmonious Organ of Sedulius Scottus: an introduction and translation of selections of his Collectaneum in Apostolum Michael Collier Sloan Ph.D. August 7, 2010 i Abstract Most of the limited scholarship on Sedulius Scottus focuses on his poems and treatise, De Rectoribus Christianis. As the product of a central ecclesiastical figure in Liège, the intellectual capital of Louis the German‟s kingdom, Sedulius‟ biblical exegesis also deserves study. The Carolingians revered classical society and culture and at the same time sought to become a wholly Christian empire, thus, it is not surprising that the content of Sedulius‟ Collectaneum in Apostolum contains both classical and Christian elements. In 1997, J. Frede published a critical edition of Sedulius‟ Collectaneum in Apostolum, but there remains today neither a translation nor specific study of this work in any modern language. My thesis seeks to provide an introduction and translation for the Prologue and commentaries on Galatians and Ephesians as contained in Frede‟s critical edition of Sedulius Scottus‟ Collectaneum in Apostolum. After situating Sedulius in his historical context and highlighting the tradition of biblical collectanea, I present external evidence – which demonstrates Sedulius‟ familiarity with Donatus‟ Vita and Servius‟ commentary on the Aeneid – as well as intertextual links to the latter works to argue that Servius‟ pedagogical commentary served as a literary model for Sedulius‟ Collectaneum. I also introduce and explain Sedulius‟ organizing template for the Prologue, which is his employment of the classical rhetorical schema, “the seven types of circumstance”. This schema is an important rhetorical tool of many classical and medieval authors that has heretofore been misrepresented as originating from Hermagoras. Sedulius‟ literary style and format are examined as matters of introduction, which further reveals the influence of Servius. The commentaries within the Collectaneum in Apostolum are essentially based on older, formative religious writers such as Jerome, ii Augustine, and Pelagius. Not only do I survey Sedulius‟ doctrinal stances on important theological and ecclesiastical issues of his time, but I discuss Sedulius‟ reception of the above three authors in particular and demonstrate how his Collectaneum in Apostolum attempts to harmonize their sometimes discordant voices. iii SUBMISSION OF PHD AND MPHIL THESES REQUIRED DECLARATIONS 1. Candidate’s declarations: I, Michael C. Sloan, hereby certify that this thesis, which is approximately 80,000 words in length, has been written by me, that it is the record of work carried out by me and that it has not been submitted in any previous application for a higher degree. I was admitted as a research student in September 2005 and as a candidate for the degree of Ph.D. in September 2006; the higher study for which this is a record was carried out in the University of St Andrews between 2005 and 2010. Date 03/08/10 signature of candidate 2. Supervisor’s declaration: I hereby certify that the candidate has fulfilled the conditions of the Resolution and Regulations appropriate for the degree of Ph.D. in the University of St Andrews and that the candidate is qualified to submit this thesis in application for that degree. Date 03/08/10 signature of supervisor 3. Permission for electronic publication: (to be signed by both candidate and supervisor) In submitting this thesis to the University of St Andrews we understand that we are giving permission for it to be made available for use in accordance with the regulations of the University Library for the time being in force, subject to any copyright vested in the work not being affected thereby. We also understand that the title and the abstract will be published, and that a copy of the work may be made and supplied to any bona fide library or research worker, that my thesis will be electronically accessible for personal or research use unless exempt by award of an embargo as requested below, and that the library has the right to migrate my thesis into new electronic forms as required to ensure continued access to the thesis. We have obtained any third-party copyright permissions that may be required in order to allow such access and migration, or have requested the appropriate embargo below. The following is an agreed request by candidate and supervisor regarding the electronic publication of this thesis: (ii) Access to all of printed copy but embargo of all of electronic publication of thesis for a period of five years on the following ground(s): publication would preclude future publication. Date 03/08/10 signature of candidate signature of supervisor Acknowledgments It is with great joy and gratitude that I make mention of professional and personal (and in many instances both) influences without whose help and support this project would not have come to fruition. It has been a superlative honor and privilege to undertake this thesis with Karla Pollmann as my supervisor, whose vision, talents, and industry have vaulted the “After Augustine Project”, underwritten by a generous grant from the Leverhulme Trust, into an international venture of significant academic import. I am proud to have contributed to the After Augustine Project as a resident PhD student and am thankful to have worked with such talented and supportive people, namely: Carmen Cvetkovic, Symke Haverkamp, Arnoud Visser, David Lambert, and Mark Elliot. My examiners, Roger Rees internally and Roger Green externally, were ideal readers whose comments and suggestions made this thesis a better product and me a better scholar. I have also enjoyed the support and influence of fellow PhD students in the Classics Department with whom I shared an office, friendship, and ideas: Jamie McIntyre, Jeremy Armstrong, Gwynaeth McIntyre, Hannah Swithinbank, Joe Howley, and Laurie Wilson. Simone Simmerer, whose path I have crossed in Austria, Germany, England, and Scotland at various conferences, deserves my warmest thanks for her aid on many lines of my project. I also enjoyed the generosity of the Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften (ÖAW) when hosting the workshop “Edieren lateinischer patristischer Texte”, which initiated two years of collaboration that resulted in the publication of a critical text. My work there significantly improved the quality of this thesis. While many were involved in that project, I should like to especially mention Dorothea Weber and Hildegund Mueller. The entire school of Classics at the University of St Andrews, faculty and staff, deserve my thanks – but especially Harry Hine, who kindly and astutely read and commented on sections of my translation, as well as Emily Greenwood, Emma Gee, Jon Hesk, and Sian Lewis, who have all been particularly helpful in administrative and academic matters which arose in the course of study. Not only has the scholarship of John Contreni in particular been very influential on this thesis, but he also graciously read and commented on a chapter, even though we have never met nor have any connection other than sharing the same vineyard. Jeff Hunt, my current colleague and former fellow undergraduate, also deserves my deepest thanks for his close reading of a number of chapters. Thelma Mathews too has positively impacted this thesis, and I am equally grateful for her kind administrative assistance. As an interdisciplinary project, I enjoyed the interest and contributions of a number of people from various departments, including: David Farrell, Ben Montanez, Donovan McAbee, Eric Langley, Richard Gormley, Margaux Poueymirou, Kristine Johanson, Phil Baiocci, John Freker, TV Fowler, Tim Roberts, Gordon Bottomley, Blake Pearson, Barrett Hall, Rusty Belden, Andrew Bach, Lee Casterline, Andy Myers, Ben Hagood, Kyle Surratt, Mike Trozzo, and Mark Maennle. As the capstone of many years in higher education, this thesis would not have been possible without the devotion and instruction of a number of former professors and mentors, especially: Alden Smith, who was profoundly instrumental in my decision to add Classics as a major; John Thorburn, from whom I took eight courses as an undergraduate; David Lyle Jeffrey, whose literature course and general advice continue v to inspire me; Tommye Lou Davis, a venerable Professor of Latin from whose methods and wisdom I often glean; and P. Henry Deer, a co-inquirer of truth and discerning man of letters. Finally, I should like to extend my deepest love and appreciation to my family, who continue to be a source of unconditional love and support. My brothers and sisters make the cliché “friends like family” still meaningful. From oldest to youngest, they are: Charissa, who in the midst of finishing her third graduate degree meticulously proofread every word of the introduction and offered the most detailed of corrections; Bryan (and his wife Amy); Eraina (and her husband Bryan); Alathea (and her husband Justin); Sophie (and her husband Mac); and Paul. My mother and father, Sue and Robert, tirelessly provided every means of support possible. From start to finish my mother has been my most enthusiastic supporter and encourager. My father, a gifted interpreter of texts, has read (and reread…) this thesis with fervor and grace. Innumerous phone calls, emails, and hours away from mom are due to his dedication and invaluable help, and the only acknowledgment grand enough for their investment awaits them in heaven. My in- laws are not deserving of the disparaging stereo type this label often entails. Tim and Deb have loved me as a son, for which I am profoundly grateful, and have been overly generous in their support of Ali, Collier, and me. My wife, Ali, receives the dubious honor of having this thesis dedicated to her. I know only half of the sacrifices she has made as this thesis was written, for those I am endlessly indebted. Her smile and presence brighten even the darkest nights at a desk; it is a joy to share this life with her and now too with our newly born son, Collier.