Description
Book SynopsisIn Architecture and Asceticism Loosley Leeming presents the first interdisciplinary exploration of Late Antique Syrian-Georgian relations available in English. The author takes an inter-disciplinary approach and examines the question from archaeological, art historical, historical, literary and theological viewpoints to try and explore the relationship as thoroughly as possible. Taking the Georgian belief that ‘Thirteen Syrian Fathers’ introduced monasticism to the country in the sixth century as a starting point, this volume explores the evidence for trade, cultural and religious relations between Syria and the Kingdom of Kartli (what is now eastern Georgia) between the fourth and seventh centuries CE. It considers whether there is any evidence to support the medieval texts and tries to place this posited relationship within a wider regional context.
Table of ContentsPreface Note on Transliteration List of Maps List of Figures Introduction: Defining the Geographical and Historical Parameters of this Study Chapter 1: Syrians, Assyrians, Orthodox, Chalcedonians and Monophysites: The Problems of Identifying the Thirteen Fathers Chapter 2: A Parallel Evolution? Issues in Vernacular Architecture and the Development of Church Building in Syria and Georgia Chapter 3: The mystery of the missing objects: Do archaeological artefacts and liturgical objects support the story of (As)Syrians in Kartli? Chapter 4: Symeon and his followers: Stylitism as a cultural trend between Syria and Georgia Chapter 5: The Evidence Written in Stone: An Evaluation of the Relationship (or not) of Syrian and Georgian Ecclesiastical Architecture Chapter 6: The Syrian bema and the Georgian Pre-Altar Cross: A Comparison of the Liturgical Furnishings of the Nave in the two Traditions Chapter 7: An Argument from Silence: The Differing Evidence in the Syriac and Georgian Language Sources Chapter 8: The Unknown Factors: Evidence from the Cave Monasteries and the Significance of Georgian Vernacular Religion as a Relic of Earlier Ritual Practices Conclusion Bibliography
