City of Saints. Rebuilding Rome in the Early Middle Ages by Maya Maskarinec
Diane Ghirardo
Reviewed by: City of Saints. Rebuilding Rome in the Early Middle Ages by Maya Maskarinec Diane Yvonne Francis Ghirardo Maskarinec, (Philadelphia: University Pennsylvania Press 2019 320 pp., ill. Of Rome’s multiple layers history, perhaps least apparent—that is, most difficult for visitor to locate today—is that early Ages, between fall Roman empire and coronation Charlemagne 800. Most buildings dating from this period either underwent massive changes, were enclosed within later structures, or simply disappeared. In first chapter Saints, takes reader on a walking tour through mid-eighth century Rome, pointing out sites buildings, some which exist part, others can only be imagined. This lyrical, engaging, direct, compelling narrative powerfully sets stage chapters follow. The city she describes is alive with merchants, pilgrims, clerics, all going about their business while contributing vibrant flowering anew following devastation Gothic wars fifth sixth centuries. unique, sacred topography comes life chronicle transformations wrought over course ninth It makes fascinating reading, author manages illuminate notoriously described as “dark” indeed, Italian history. Key understanding author’s goal subtitle: Ages. Maskarinec’s superbly nuanced study shows how diaconiae (charitable institutions), new churches, translated relics helped reshape into capital Christianity springing depleted imperial city. During Roma gradually shifted secondary status under Byzantine leadership Constantinople its own, burgeoning relevance via range agents, monks pilgrims administrators who transported saintly relics, especially “foreign” ones, throughout Mediterranean thereby enhancing amplifying topography. brisk movement could occur once barriers against such practices had been breached around very beginning study. argues veneration foreign saints not martyred marked slow process whereby wrested preeminence eastern capital, at same time endowing saints, diaconiae. While papacy contributed change, demonstrates greater richness complexity pope constituted one agent change. fresh perspective depends upon analysis limited remaining documents, including hagiographies Liber Pontificalis, without shortchanging close themselves, inscriptions, frescoes decorative apparatus. command sources impressive, her ability translate explain obscure texts but especially, bring forgotten events. From Aurelian walls often atop fragments classical antiquity, visible today highly fashion slowly emerges. churches Forum, established dedicated Cosmas Damian Teodoro. Eastern appeared [End Page 234] Palatine Aventine hills, where individual, local merchant patrons S. Giorgio al Velabro, aristocrats underwrote Sabina. on, responsible diaconiae, followed members city’s elite, monks, finally exponents Carolingian traders, rulers eighth Especially Maria Antiqua, “panorama saints” arrayed individual carefully individualized figures western Christendom an Christ. specific popes emphasized role buttressing church even acknowledging ties Byzantium. Over time, efforts many brought set it up home saints...
Comitatus-a Journal of Medieval and Renaissance Studies