CALL.31.05.2016: The Materiality of Divine Agency in the Graeco-Roman World - Erfurt (Germany)

The workshop aims to investigate archaeological evidence and textual sources in a comparative way to unearth the multiplicity and richness with which divine agency is depicted in narratives, religious practices and ideas, as well as in iconographical evidence. It engages closely with an extensive methodological and thematic agenda that focuses on all aspects of the materiality of divine agency in Classical antiquity. More specifically, this year’s postgraduate workshop sets out to explore processes of embodying, objectifying, portraying physically and, more generally, grounding the divine and its agency in our rather limited sensual perception. Following in the steps of recent scholarly studies on the iconicity, aniconicity and hybridity of the divine in the classical world, the workshop casts its net wider so as to include religious action taking place in the so-called margins of urban religious activities, such as magic and healing. Moreover, ritual action focused on statues and material objects (votives, amulets, defixiones) and other processes that ensure a successful communication with the divine will receive extra attention in our discussions.

FECHA LÍMITE/DEADLINE/SCADENZA: 31/05/2016

FECHA CONGRESO/CONGRESS DATE/DATA CONGRESSO: 29-30-31/08 - 1-2/09/2016

LUGAR/LOCATION/LUOGO: Max Weber Center for Advanced Cultural and Social Studies, University of Erfurt (Erfurt, Germany)

ORGANIZADOR/ORGANIZER/ORGANIZZATORE: Dr. Georgia Petridou, Dr. Anna-Katharina Rieger

INFO: call - georgia.petridou@uni-erfurt.de annakatharina.rieger@uni-erfurt.de ursula.birtel-koltes@uni-erfurt.de

CALL:

Target audience: M.A., Ph.D. and post-doctoral students from Classics, Archaeology, Religious Studies, Ancient Judaism, Ancient History, History of Art, and Theology are invited to participate. We would be able to accommodate up to 20 participants. All lectures and seminars will be conducted in English. Knowledge of ancient languages (Latin, Greek, Hebrew, etc.) is desirable, but not essential.

Applications: All materials will be precirculated. Participants are encouraged to present their own work at the workshop, provided that it is related to the general theme. If you decide to do so, please include in your application a brief research statement. There will be a participation fee of 100 Euro covering the costs of the reader, coffee breaks etc. Inexpensive accommodation on campus (ca. 20-30 Euros per night) is available and can be booked by the organisers.

Deadline: Applications should reach Ms Ursula Birtel-Koltes (ursula.birtel-koltes@uni-erfurt.de) by the 31st of May 2016. Please include a brief CV and a list of publications, if applicable.