Christianity and Culture in the Fourth and Fourteenth Centuries

What was it like to be a pagan in fourth century Rome? Why was paganism expensive? Why was it both hard and easy for Romans to convert to Christianity? What are the similarities between the fourth and the fourteenth centuries? In this fifty minutes long interview christopher Mielke talks with the late professor Marianne Sághy of CEU’s Medieval Department about researching Late Antique and Fourteenth-Century European Christianity and culture. Some of the topics covered include ancient Roman culture and its revival in the fourteenth century, important personalities like Cicero, Virgil and Petrarch, the reason why the papal residence was in Avignon and how pilgrimage was a phenomenon was managed by the Church. Past Perfect! is CEU Medieval Radio’s show on medieval and early modern history and culture, where Christopher Mielke casually discusses with his guests various issues from the crusades to archeo-zoology to medieval urine sampling. The discussions are made with the aim to popularize medieval and early modern studies with the help of experts such as early musicians, historians, philologists and archeologists.This episode was first recorded and broadcast in 2012.