PARADISO 6 JUSTINIAN (527-565)
Constantine (4th C. AD) first Christian Emperor, but:
goes “against the course of Heaven” -- to east
moves capital Constantinople “edge of Europe”
near mountains “from where Empire rose” =
reference to Troy as ancestor of Rome (Aeneas)
Relationship of spiritual and temporal realms:
Justinian (6th C) – 200 years after Constantine
Heresies:
1) Monophysite heresy:
Christ
as divine, not human
Pope corrects Emperor on spiritual matter
2) Arian heresy: Ostrogothic Kingdom in Italy
Christ as son of God, not fully God
suppressed by Justinian =
secular
arm aids spiritual orthodoxy
Aeneas – goes from Troy to Italy, not yet Rome
Kingdom of Alba Longa –
founded
by Aeneas, son Ascanius
Livy as historian of early Rome
Horatii and Curatii – 3 brothers, battle by proxy
theme of sacrifice, duty to the state
Early Rome: Rape of the Sabine Women
Suicide of Lucretia
(after being raped)
Punic Wars: Rome vs Carthage
Scipio vs Hannibal
Fiesole:
hill town above Florence
conspiracy of Cataline vs Rome
Roman Empire “whole world in harmony” (l. 55-7)
1st Julius Caesar: Spread of Empire
2cd Augustus: “seals up Janus with lock & key”
Janus: Roman god of doors, gates
open door in Forum = war
closed door = peace, Pax romana
3rd Tiberius: Crucifixion (33 AD)
4th Titus: conquest of Jerusalem,
destruction
of Temple
= vengenace on Jews for death of Christ
Charlemagne: 800 (as Holy Roman Empire
Present day: France (lilies) vs Empire (eagle)
Guelfs vs Ghibellines