Publication Date

1998

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Testa, Judith Anne, 1943-

Degree Name

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Legacy Department

School of Art

LCSH

Theodora; Bishopages; Basilica of Saint Prassede (Rome; Italy)--History; Catholic Church--Italy--Rome--Bishops--Biography; Basilicas (Roman architecture)--Italy--Rome--History; Mosaics--Italy--Rome--History; Ordination of women--Catholic Church--History

Abstract

The basilica of St. Prassede in Rome has a history every bit as colorful as its exquisite mosaics. Inside its plain and unassuming exterior is an intriguing history of building and re-building, a pope accused of murder, martyr’s bones hidden in an ancient well, female saints that the Catholic Church says are no longer worthy o f veneration, and, at the heart of this paper, the image of a female bishop, Theodora. This thesis is an investigation into the history of St. Prassede. It explores the contradiction between written history, art history, and the history that the Catholic Church has written in its own best interest. At the heart of this complex history is a single image: that of a woman with the words ‘Theodora Episcopa” inscribed around her image. Translated, this means “Bishop Theodora.” Along with the art works of St. Prassede, this paper will explore the idea of female ordination, from the very early Church through our own time.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages [80]-84)

Extent

viii, 84 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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