161. The politics of ignorance between theology and imperial power, with Lea Niccolai
Byzantium & FriendsSummary
Recent discussions in the field of pre-modern disease scholarship highlight a contrast between historical understandings of pandemics and contemporary experiences, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Scholars often assert that individuals in pre-modern times lacked knowledge about the causes and mitigations of disease. However, some historians, like Procopius of Caesarea, challenge this notion by documenting their ignorance without resorting to speculative or moral interpretations. Procopius's account of the plague during the reign of Justinian emphasizes that the disease indiscriminately affected both virtuous and wicked individuals, suggesting a more nuanced understanding of ignorance as a scientific position.
Lea Nicolai, a professor at the University of Cambridge, explores the dynamics of knowledge and authority in the context of uncertainty, particularly in the fourth century. Her work delves into how emperors and bishops navigated their respective authorities amidst theological disputes and the complexities of ignorance. Nicolai's forthcoming edited volume, "Not Knowing in Classical Antiquity," aims to examine how ancient societies grappled with the concept of ignorance across various domains, including medicine and rhetoric.
The conversation also touches on the political implications of ignorance, particularly for rulers who relied on religious authority to legitimize their power. The relationship between emperors and bishops, especially following Constantine's conversion to Christianity, illustrates a tension where emperors sought to assert authority while simultaneously deferring to ecclesiastical expertise. This dynamic raises questions about the nature of knowledge and the legitimacy of authority in both ancient and modern contexts, suggesting that the struggle with ignorance remains a relevant theme in contemporary discourse.
Show Notes
A conversation with Lea Niccolai (University of Cambridge) on the challenge faced by emperors and theologians who claimed authority on the basis of their religious positions while simultaneously admitting that the truth about God lay beyond reach. How did they cope with this self-professed ignorance or deploy it as an asset in polemics, e.g., against heretics who presumed to know too much? The conversation is based on Lea's contributions to a forthcoming volume, co-edited with Giulia Maltagliati and entitled Not Knowing in Classical Antiquity: Discourses of Ignorance in the Greco-Roman World (Cambridge University Press).
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