The Dominus legem dat Motif in Its Multiple Contexts: A Study in Early Christian Images and Texts(187 Vigiliae Christianae, Supplements)

In this book, Dominus legem dat, labeled the most debated motif in early Christian art, is dealt with in all its different contexts, particularly Roman sarcophagi, where it most often occurs. In light of concurrent Roman funerary art, it offers a new understanding of the function of biblical motifs on sarcophagi, and a number of contemporary Christian texts are presented as a key for the interpretation of the so-called “traditio legis” composition. This first, richly illustrated monograph on the motif argues that it originated in Old St. Peter’s Basilica, substantiated by a broad discussion of its historical and theological context. A catalog of all occurrences is included.

Table of Contents:
Preface List of Illustrations, Photo Credits and Tables Abbreviations Introduction  1 Dominus legem dat  2 Biblical Images on Early Christian Sarcophagi  3 The Research Questions of this Study  4 Outline of the Study 1 Context: The Early Christian Sarcophagi and Roman Funerary Art  1.1 The Rhetorical Nature of Pagan/Classical and Christian Roman Sarcophagi  1.2 The Images on Christian Sarcophagi  1.3 Summing up 2 Context: Biblical Images in Early Christian Funerary Art—Their Sources and Significance  2.1 The Repertoire of Early Christian Funerary Images: The Most Common Images  2.2 Images and Texts  2.3 Listings of Biblical Heroes in Writings Known and Used in Rome in the Third and Fourth Centuries  Excursus: Christian Writings Known in Rome in the Third and Fourth Centuries  2.4 Funerary Images and Funerary Orations  2.5 From Texts to Images—Some Challenges  2.6 Funerary Images Conveying Belief in the Resurrection of the Dead  2.7 Theological Reflections and Pragmatic Reasons for the Choice of Images  2.8 Summing up 3 Dominus legem dat: Defining the Motif  3.1 Terminology  3.2 Some Preliminary Considerations  3.3 The Motif: Core Elements and Additional Elements 4 History of Research  4.1 First Period: 1594 to ca.1850  4.2 Second Period: ca.1850–1950  4.3 Third Period: Second Half of the Twentieth Century  4.4 Fourth Period: Twenty-First Century  4.5 Summing up 5 The Dominus legem dat Sarcophagi  5.1 The Layout of the Sarcophagi  5.2 The Motifs Found together with Dominus legem dat  5.3 City-gate Sarcophagi where Dominus legem dat Covers the Whole Front and the Adjacent Motifs  5.4 Sarcophagi where Dominus legem dat Is One of Several Motifs on the Front  5.5 The Design of Dominus legem dat when It Is the Sole Motif on the Front  5.6 Interpreting the Dominus legem dat Motif on the Basis of Sarcophagi 160 6 Interpreting Dominus legem dat on the Basis of Texts  6.1 Occurrences of the Inscription  6.2 The Idea of a (New) Law of Christ in Early Christianity  6.3 The Inscription outside the Dominus legem dat Scene  6.4 Interpreting the Dominus legem dat on the Basis of Texts and Sarcophagus Images 7 Interpreting Dominus legem dat in a Specific Context: The Mosaic in San Giovanni in Fonte  7.1 San Giovanni in Fonte  7.2 The Mosaic in the Dome of the Baptistery  7.3 The Dominus legem dat Motif in San Giovanni in Fonte  7.4 The Apostles Peter and Paul 8 The Lamb on the Mount, the Sheep Coming out from Two Cities, and the River Jordan  8.1 The Position of the Lamb and the Sheep  8.2 The Divine Lamb (Agnus Dei) on the Mount  8.3 The Sheep  8.4 The Cities/City Gates  8.5 Jerusalem and Bethlehem  8.6 The River Jordan  8.7 The Origin of the Various Versions 9 The Assumed First Version of the Dominus legem dat Motif  9.1 The Location of Roman Sarcophagi with a Dominus legem dat Motif  9.2 Versions of the Dominus legem dat Reflecting an Earlier Monumental Model  9.3 Indirect Evidence from a Roman Apse Mosaic and from Saint Augustine  9.4 Possible Later “Copies” of the Apse in St. Peter’s  9.5 Summing up 10 Dominus legem dat in Its Historical and Theological Context  10.1 The Origin of the Old St. Peter’s Basilica  10.2 The Possible Theological Background for the Choice of the Motif in St. Peter’s Basilica Conclusion Appendix: Catalog of All Occurrences of the Dominus legem dat Motif Bibliography Indices

About the Author :
Reidar Hvalvik, Dr. theol., is Professor emeritus in New Testament Studies at MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society; affiliated to the Norwegian Institute in Rome in 2006–2007. His education includes art history, and his publications cover early Christian literature and art.