Seven arts - seven maidens. Popularization of the cycle of liberal arts in the work De nuptiis Philologiae et Mercurii by Martianus Capella
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| Year of publication | 2010 |
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| Description | The aim of the paper is to examine the individual genres employed in Martianus' work, and specify the ways in which they realize its primarily didactic intention (contrary to many modern literary interpretations of the work in terms of mystery novel or Menippea). Originally symposiastic descriptions of hierarchy (of arts), combined with the novel-like topos of journey (to heaven) are shown to underline the main idea of the whole work - i.e. to present the "higher" education as both accessible and attractive for everyone willing to study. From this point of view, Martianus depicts ancient knowledge already changed into a popular system shareable across cultures and classes - for reasons that this paper also considers. |
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