Masters Degrees (Ancient Studies)

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The influence of contemporary events and circumstances on Virgil's characterization of Aeneas
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2008-12) Flint, Angela; Kotze, Annemare; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Ancient Studies.
Chapter 1 begins by giving the 21st century reader of the Aeneid insights into the innovative socio-cultural environment of the Augustan Age. Following this is an investigation into the societal and cultural importance placed on the Four Cardinal Values in Augustan Age society. Virgil’s attitude to war has been a perennial topic of debate amongst Virgilian scholars. The focus of chapter 1 becomes more specific as it examines Virgil’s personal history, the socio-cultural environment of his childhood and the influence this may have had on his adult opinion of war and the way it is expressed in the Aeneid. An aspect of Virgil’s personal history that is fundamental to understanding his social context, is his relationship with Emperor Augustus. To conclude chapter 1, this is investigated with specific reference to two episodes in the Aeneid. In chapter 2, attention is given to particular aspects of Virgil’s portrayal of Aeneas’ heroic nature. The chapter opens with an examination of Virgil’s representation of Aeneas’ imperfect heroism, then suggests possible reasons behind the inclusion of ambiguity in this characterization. In addition to this, the question of Homeric characteristics in Virgil’s Roman hero is investigated. Chapter 2 then examines the more positive aspects of Virgil’s depiction of Aeneas’ heroism, concluding with a discussion on the favourable interpretation by Augustan Age Romans of Virgil’s demonstration of Aeneas’ heroic nature. Chapter 3 is devoted to a discussion of the manner in which Virgil’s environment influenced his presentation of Aeneas’ personal interactions. Prior to addressing the actual relationships, the chapter explores the question of Virgil’s characterization of Aeneas as somewhat uncommunicative in the epic. This chapter then concentrates on two main facets of Virgil’s portrayal of Aeneas’ personal relationships, i.e. those with family members and those with relevant non-family members that illustrate the extent to which Virgil’s social context influenced his composition of this poem. In conclusion, this study summarises the importance of viewing the Aeneid in its correct context. A bibliography is appended.
Justice in Augustine's City of God
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012-12) Daniels, Amy Lydia; Kotze, Annemare; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Ancient Studies.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis outlines Augustine’s thought on justice as articulated in The City of God: against the Pagans. The purpose of the study was to investigate the place and role of his convictions about justice in his apologetic project. To this end, Books 19-22 of The City of God were read within the historical, religious and ideological contexts of Augustine’s day. Aspects deemed relevant to the stated goals of the thesis and which were therefore surveyed, were pagan-Christian relations and Neo-Platonism in the fifth century; the sacking of Rome in AD 410, a perceived injustice which occasioned rampant calumnies against the Christians and questions regarding the justice of God; secular jurisprudence and legal practice, with a focus on the role of bishops in dispensing justice; biblical perspectives on justice. A reading of Books 19-22 of the City of God was then done, in which it was found that justice was viewed by Augustine as subordinate to, but straining toward the Supreme Good, identified as peace. Moreover, it was shown that Augustine’s perspective on justice is inextricably linked with his eschatological convictions. These are that God is set to establish an eternal City, composed of those who, throughout history, have pledged allegiance to Him. That city is characterised by peace and justice, as determined by God. Any peace or manifestation of justice in the present age was shown to flow from humankind’s predisposition toward self-love (egotism). As such, they are presented by Augustine as a poor reflection of the perfect peace and justice that will be established by God. With regard to Augustine’s defence of the Christian faith, it was found that he employs a model of argumentation which takes as its point of departure the worldviews of his opponents, showing up cracks in their thinking. He then presents his own perspective as the better alternative. The juxtaposition of the current age, fraught with injustice and chaos, against the eternal peace and justice to be established by God, were shown to be important selling-points for Augustine. For him, life in the eternal City of God was an irresistible offer, which he sought to hold out to his opponents.
Literary techniques and communicative aims in a selection of martyr narratives from the first three centuries C.E.
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03) Kara, Kajil Ashokbhai; Kotze, Annemare; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Ancient Studies.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Studies dealing with martyr literature have seen scholarship explore the subject from a strictly historical perspective. However, this study moves away from a historical approach and looks at analyzing martyr literature and in particular, a selection of martyr stories from the first three centuries of Christianity, within the frameworks of New Historicism and Narratology. This thesis is made up of three chapters which interlink and provide the reader with a wider picture on early Christian literature, and in particular, martyr stories. Chapter one provides an introduction to the study and looks at the methodology, theoretical points of departure, research question, hypothesis, trends in scholarship and key terms. This content forms the basis for the presentation of the material in the rest of the thesis. Chapter two consists of a thorough literary analysis of a selection of passion narratives. This selection includes: the passion narratives of Jesus from the canonical gospels, the story of Stephen from The Acts of the Apostles, the narrative about Polycarp of Smyrna from The Martyrdom of Polycarp, and the narrative about Vibia Perpetua from The Passion of Perpetua and Felicity. This chapter argues that the gospel narratives were used as a “proto-narrative” by authors of later martyr stories when they created their own narratives. This argument is based on an assessment of the role of imitatio Christi and narrative mirroring in the various stories. Additionally, the three later martyr passiones (those of Stephen, Polycarp and Perpetua) which have been selected for analysis in chapter two are further examined in chapter three in order to assess whether these narratives were written with protreptic and / or paraenetic purposes in mind. In a close reading of these narratives, the study has found that the selected martyr stories aimed to fulfill both protreptic and paraenetic functions and played a strategic role in the growth and spread of the early Christian church.
Marcus Aurelius : living philosophy and the business of governing an empire
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03) Brummer, Sylvia; Kotze, Annemare; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Ancient Studies.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study attempts to understand the actions of one specific leader, the philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius, who ruled the Roman Empire during the second century CE. Consideration is given to how his decisions and actions were influenced, either consciously or subconsciously by both internal and external influences throughout his reign. In this, the study explores examples from his life and illustrates how both Stoic and Roman ethics may have influenced his leadership decisions, focussed on three specific spheres, namely actions around his familial and friendship relationships with focus on his relationship with his adoptive father, Antoninus Pius, his wife, Faustina, his brother, Lucius Verus and his son Commodus; slavery; and the persecution of Christians. Central to the study are two principles which are explored throughout the study in terms of how they relate to the actions of Marcus Aurelius, namely: the principle of philosophy of action and the principle of practical ethics. Chapter one considers introductory issues and the rationale for the study. In chapter two the study examines the formation of the man, Marcus Aurelius, his character, his education and possible influencers that could have contributed to his actions. The chapter provides an historical overview of Marcus Aurelius’ education from childhood through to emperorship and considers his presumed move away from rhetoric to philosophy. Roman and Stoic thought is considered in order to provide a more rounded exploration of the factors that shaped Marcus Aurelius’ decisions and an attempt is also made to understand wider thought in the second century CE in order to provide context within which to view Marcus Aurelius’ thought and actions. In chapter three the purpose of his Meditations is explored in order to provide a view on Marcus Aurelius’ character and philosophical development as it emerges from the themes utilised in the Meditations and highlighting his philosophy of actions. The final chapter considers Marcus Aurelius’ career in respect of the three focus areas. The extent to which his education and philosophical convictions influenced his decisions in these spheres is explored. The chapter also explores certain contradictions found in the image of Marcus Aurelius in order to arrive at a re-evaluation of his political career.
References to swords in the death scenes of Dido and Turnus in the Aeneid
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012-12) Backhouse, George; Kotze, Annemare; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Ancient Studies.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis investigates the references to swords in key scenes in the Aeneid – particularly the scenes of Dido’s and Turnus’ death – in order to add new perspectives on these scenes and on the way in which they impact on the presentation of Aeneas’ Roman mission in the epic. In Chapter Two I attempt to provide an outline of the mission of Aeneas. I also investigate the manner in which Dido and Turnus may be considered to be opponents of Aeneas’ mission. In Chapter Three I investigate references to swords in select scenes in book four of the Aeneid. I highlight an ambiguity in the interpretation of the sword that Dido uses to commit suicide and I also provide a description of the sword as a weapon and its place in the epic. In Chapter Four I provide an analysis of the references to swords in Dido’s and Turnus’ death scenes alongside a number of other important scenes involving mention of swords. I preface my analyses of the references to swords that play a role in interpreting Dido and Turnus’ deaths with an outline of the reasons for the deaths of each of these figures. The additional references to swords that I use in this chapter are the references to the sword in the scene of Deiphobus’ death in book six and to the sword and Priam’s act of arming himself on the night on which Troy is destroyed. At the end of Chapter Four I look at parallels between Dido and Turnus and their relationship to the mission of Aeneas. At the end of this thesis I am able to conclude that an investigation and analysis of the references to swords in select scenes in the Aeneid adds to existing scholarship in Dido’s and Turnus’ death in the following way: a more detailed investigation of the role of swords in the interpretation of Dido’s death from an erotic perspective strengthens the existing notion in scholarship that Dido is an obstacle to the mission of Aeneas.
St Augustine's Confessiones : the role of the imago Dei in his conversion to Catholic Christianity
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2011-03) Roos, Andre; Kotze, Annemare; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Ancient Studies.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Although St Augustine of Hippo (354–430 C.E.) was raised as a Christian, he refuted Catholicism as a youth in his search for divine wisdom and truth. Like the biblical prodigal son, he first had to realise the error of his aversion (turning away from the Catholic Church) before he could experience conversion (returning to the Catholic faith). Augustine narrates certain central events of his life in the Confessiones as a series of conversions, leading him from his native Roman North Africa to his conversion to Catholic Christianity in the Imperial City of Milan. Philosophy, especially Neo-Platonic thought, played a crucial role in his conversion process, as did the influence of St Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, and other Neo-Platonic intellectuals in Milan. Neo- Platonism also influenced Augustine's conception of the imago Dei (image of God). Although Augustine’s teaching of the concept of the imago Dei is found in all his works (but mainly in De Trinitate), a survey of the literature has shown that the way in which this concept is used to inform, structure and advance his conversion narrative in the Confessions, has not yet been investigated in a structured manner. In order to address this gap in scholarly knowledge, the thesis attempts to answer the following research question: How did the concept of the imago Dei inform and structure Augustine's conversion narrative, as recounted in his Confessiones, taking into account the theological and philosophical influences of Ambrose and the Neo-Platonists of Milan on his spiritual development? The investigation was conducted by an in-depth study and analysis of the Confessiones and relevant secondary literature within the historical, philosophical and religious framework of the work. An empirical approach, by means of textual analysis and hermeneutics, was used to answer the research question. The analysis of the Confessions is limited to its autobiographical part (Books 1 to 9). In order to carry out the analysis, a theoretical and conceptual framework was posited in Chapters 1 to 4, discussing the key concepts of conversion and of the imago Dei, as well as explaining the influence of Neo-Platonism and Ambrose on Augustine. In Chapter 5, this conceptual framework of the nature of the imago Dei is complemented by a literary framework for the Confessions to form a metaframework. The textual analysis was done within the meta-framework with reference to certain endowments (attributes) imprinted in the image, namely personality, spirituality, rationality, morality, authority, and creativity. The main conclusion is that Augustine's personal relationship with God had been harmed by the negative impact of sin on these endowments of the divine image in him. His gradual realisation that God is Spirit, his growth in faith, and his eventual acceptance of the authority of Scripture and of the Catholic Church, brought about the healing of the broken image of God in Augustine and also the restoration of God’s likeness in him. This enabled Augustine to be reconciled to God through Christ, who is the perfect Image of God, and helped to convert him to the Catholic Church, which is the Body of Christ.
The Suffering Heracles: An Analysis of Heracles as a Tragic Hero in The Trachiniae and the Heracles
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-03) Rom, Daniel; Kotze, Annemare; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Ancient Studies.
ENGLISH SUMMARY: This thesis is an examination of the portrayals of the Ancient Greek mythological hero Heracles in two fifth century BCE tragic plays: The Trachiniae by Sophocles, and the Heracles by Euripides. Based on existing research that was examined, this thesis echoes the claim made by several sources that there is a conceptual link between both these plays in terms of how they treat Heracles as a character on stage. Fundamentally, this claim is that these two plays portray Heracles as a suffering, tragic figure in a way that other theatre portrayals of him up until the fifth century BCE had failed to do in such a notable manner. This thesis links this claim with a another point raised in modern scholarship: specifically, that Heracles‟ character and development as a mythical hero in the Ancient Greek world had given him a distinct position as a demi-god, and this in turn affected how he was approached as a character on stage. Heracles‟ potential as a suffering, tragic hero on stage was largely unacknowledged by Greek playwrights before and during the early fifth century BCE. The ultimate reason for this, as this thesis claims, is that Heracles‟ involvement in tragedy, unlike the other mythical heroes of Greece, would remain affected by his distinctive, complicated nature as a demi-god, until the time when The Trachiniae and the Heracles would be written. This thesis also demonstrates exactly why these two plays are so important for understanding the nuanced character of Heracles. Where this thesis expands upon these existing theories is to organise them in a cohesive, systemic order, where the links between these claims, and also the links between Greek heroes, Greek tragedy and Heracles, are firmly established. This thesis first examines in brief the origin and nature of Ancient Greek heroes as a whole. This is done in Chapter 2, following the Introduction. At this stage, a link is already established between Greek heroes and the tragic element. Heracles is then described, and the ways in which he differs from other heroes is explored, with specific focus placed on his demi-god status as being a defining element of him. An overview of how Heracles was conceived and placed within Greek society up until the fifth century BCE is also undertaken at this point. Chapter 3 proceeds to examine the world of the tragic theatre, the essential elements of tragedy, and Heracles‟ place on stage up until the time of The Trachiniae and the Heracles. Chapter 4 is an in-depth study of both of these plays, in order Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za to see what aspects of The Trachiniae and the Heracles develop the characterisation of Heracles, specifically as a tragic suffering hero. Chapter 5 contains the conclusions reached by this thesis: that Heracles‟ complexity as a mythical figure owes a great deal to his conception as both man and god in different contexts for the Greeks, and that in this way; he remains one of the only true demi-gods of the Ancient Greek world. Furthermore, this thesis concludes that The Trachiniae and the Heracles are exceptional, not because they force tragedy upon Heracles without cause, but because they precisely explore this important element of his character, and rather than simplify the issue, they draw it out to its logical, tragic conclusion. And in return, we are able to gain a deeper appreciation for the figure of Heracles in this role, that of The Suffering Heracles.
Towards a vision of God: A study of the light and darkness, and sight and blindness imagery in Book 7 of Augustine's Confessions
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-04) Turner, Christina; Kotze, Annemare; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Ancient Studies.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis provides a sketch of Augustine’s journey towards knowledge of God, and his ensuing encounter with God through philosophical vision, as articulated in book 7 of the Confessions. The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent to which the pervading images of light and darkness, and associated images of sight and blindness are used in book 7 to bolster a protreptic communicative purpose of the book, aimed at the potential Manichaean reader. To this end, core aspects of the Manichaean doctrine are outlined in order to gain a fuller understanding of the concepts and images in book 7 which would have had special significance for a Manichaean reader. Aspects deemed relevant include their fundamental dualism, which revolved around the struggle between the material realms of light and darkness and pervaded every aspect of their thought; their focus on a literal apprehension of their teachings, and their insistence that the truth of their teachings, and the divine, cosmic struggle between light and darkness could be witnessed by every person through the senses. A reading of book 7 of the Confessions is then undertaken in which it is found that Augustine establishes a dichotomy between a materialist and a more conceptual, spiritual comprehension of God’s nature using contrasting images of blindness and sight, darkness and light. It is found that Augustine employs a model of argumentation which takes as its point of departure the world view of the Manichaeans, showing up the cracks in their thinking. He then presents his new-found perspectives as the better alternative, through the outlaying of proofs based on his reading of the books of the Platonists. Augustine finally describes his quest to locate a transcendent God through philosophical vision, and he raises the importance of spiritual vision and illumination in order to know God, as opposed to physical vision. In this way, the thesis argues that book 7 has aprotreptic communicative purpose aimed at the Manichaean reader; that core aspects of Manichaeism are refuted, and that their way of thinking is transformed towards a Neoplatonist-Christian approach, using language with which they were familiar.

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Ancient Studies) by browse.metadata.advisor "Kotze, Annemare"

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