Εξειδίκευση τύπου :	Κεφάλαιο βιβλίου
Τίτλος:	Aspects of the Relationship between Alchemy and Christianity in Byzantium
Δημιουργός/Συγγραφέας:	[EL] Μέριανος, Γεράσιμος[EN] Merianos, Gerasimos
Επιμελητής έκδοσης:	[EL] Ταμπάκης, Κώστας[EN] Tampakis, Kostas Numbers, Ronald
Εκδότης:	Brepols
Ημερομηνία:	2025
Γλώσσα:	Αγγλικά
ISBN:	978-2-503-61246-1
ISSN:	978-2-503-61247-8 (online)
DOI:	10.1484/M.SOC-EB.5.141570
Περιγραφή:	Since Antiquity, alchemy has been closely intertwined with religious beliefs and practices. The designation ‘sacred and divine art’, employed by alchemical authorities in late antique and Byzantine times, is most revealing about this connection. The sacred art gradually adapted to a Christian cultural milieu, leading to the Christianization of alchemical ideas. This paper explores the interplay between alchemy and Christianity in Byzantium, providing a discussion of key themes that unveil complex dynamics. It argues that alchemical theorization converses, to an extent, with Christian theology, progressively integrating alchemy into a Christian philosophy of nature. Byzantine alchemical authors infuse their discipline with Christian values, virtues, and beliefs, presenting adherence to these principles as a prerequisite for accessing alchemical knowledge. Moreover, the paper reveals the ‘infiltration’ of alchemical ideas into Christian literature of various genres, as is evidenced by specific hagiographical and theological texts. Despite limited evidence, these works confirm that alchemy was not alien to the social and cultural milieus of certain Byzantine periods. Notably, this ‘art’ could be appealing to members of the clergy, even up to the highest ranks. The study also offers preliminary methodological insights, emphasizing the nuanced nature of the relationship between alchemy and Christianity. It advocates for a theologically informed analysis of Byzantine alchemical texts, cautioning against simplistic categorizations. This examination is intended to be a starting point for future explorations into the intricate connections between alchemy and Christianity in Byzantium.
Τίτλος πηγής δημοσίευσης:	Orthodox Christianity and the Study of Nature
Σελίδες:	21-54
Θεματική Κατηγορία:	[EL] Μεσαιωνική Ελλάδα, Βυζαντινή Αυτοκρατορία 323-1453[EN] Medieval Greece. Byzantine Empire, 323-1453 [EL] Ιστορία γνώσης και μάθησης. Ανθρωπιστικές επιστήμες[EN] History of scholarship and learning. The humanities
Λέξεις-Κλειδιά:	Alchemy Byzantine science Orthodox christianity Byzantine alchemists
Κάτοχος πνευματικών δικαιωμάτων:	© 2024, Brepols Publishers n.v., Turnhout, Belgium.
Ηλεκτρονική διεύθυνση στον εκδότη (link):	https://www.brepols.net/products/IS-9782503612461-1
Εμφανίζεται στις συλλογές:	Τομέας Βυζαντινών Ερευνών - Επιστημονικό έργο