The Homiliary of Paul the Deacon: Religious and Cultural Reform in Carolingian Europe by Zachary Guiliano
Rod Thomson
Reviewed by: The Homiliary of Paul the Deacon: Religious and Cultural Reform in Carolingian Europe by Zachary Guiliano Rod Thomson Guiliano, Zachary, (Studies on Patristic, Medieval Reformation Sermons Preaching, 16), Turnhout, Brepols, 2021; hardback; pp. 339; 1 b/w, 3 colour illustrations, 13 b/w tables, 2 line art; R.R.P. €90.00; ISBN 9782503577913. This is a model what monograph should be. It groundbreaking, seductively written introduction to author demonstrates be text first widest importance (‘The homiliary monument history world, eminently worthy further study’, p. 249). Compiled few years before 800 ce, at Charlemagne’s order, Deacon’s Homiliary, evidence surviving copies alone, was become one most widely distributed influential liturgical books medieval Europe. In his chapter, Dr establishes content original text, formerly based (R. Grégoire, Les Homéliares du moyen âge (Spoleto, 1980), 423–78) upon half dozen ninth-century manuscripts which were ascribed wrong dates, [End Page 246] provenances, interrelationships. All this corrects, mainly first-hand examination manuscripts. He lists fifty-seven from ninth tenth centuries, including thirteen special authority because they preserve least part Paul’s preface. an example positive help that digital technology giving manuscript studies. Whereas nineteenth- early twentieth-century scholars dependent word mouth, or perhaps printed catalogues (often wrong) for information as whereabouts manuscripts, today can sweep databases reasonably sure results. Not that, even now, such research easy (the difficulties, Guiliano’s doggedness tackling them, are outlined 39–41, 148). Mind you, difference it makes Grégoire’s list Homiliary’s contents not so very great (p. 66), involving renumbering rather than alterations texts. constantly alert opportunities make observations general importance, anyone interested read book. For instance, beginning chapter theology: Thus, if we know theological topics important Charlemagne he thought greatest collection patristic texts cultural behoves us ask just sort doctrine found how relates Admonitio Generalis [... and] other similar pieces instruction period, Alcuin’s Avars. 175) Again, painstaking long would have taken copy (usually two-volume) Homiliary—between two years—enables conclude only could been made death (pp. 127–37). Many more survive eleventh twelfth why many date figure authoritative copies. observation must modify opinion those who maintained ‘ordered’ used, exclusion all others, throughout Empire: We cannot communities knew using copying text; assume preface consulted every user homiliaries transmitted it, nor felt constrained it. may intended used particular way, but others sorts purposes. 199) A discussion Deacon ‘author’ leads consideration concept generally 91–101). And sources conclusion no single...
Parergon