Justinian, Pilgrimages and the Theotokos: Imperial Propaganda in De Aedificiis V

• Authors: Martina Biamino

Abstracts

EN

This article analyses Book V of De Aedificiis, specifically focusing on Aed. V, 6–9. Building on previous studies that demonstrate Procopius’ journey within this book along an ancient road traditionally used by pilgrims, it is noted how, in what can be considered the second part of the book, the historian focuses on the churches built by Justinian for the Theotokos, all situated on high points in Palestine. Based on this, the article seeks to explain how this insistence on the churches of the Virgin on hillsides, combined with the theme of pilgrimage, serves court propaganda, which may have promoted a de-Judaization and a de-Nestorianization of Palestine. Additionally, it is hypothesized that Procopius may have drawn inspiration, given the subject matter, from a genre closely related to pilgrimage, such as that of itineraria.

Keywords

EN

pilgrimage; Procopius of Caesarea; De Aedificiis; Byzantine churches; Jerusalem; Nea Ekklesia

• Publisher: Uniwersytet Łódzki. Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego
• Journal: Studia Ceranea
• Year: 2022
• Volume: 13
• Pages: 215-237

Dates

published

2023

Contributors

author

Martina Biamino

• University of Genoa – DIRAAS

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Identifiers

DOI

10.18778/2084-140X.13.03

Biblioteka Nauki

31324677