Chapter 8, The Medieval Era

"Intellectual and Cultural Progress"

This period of time was NOT "ignorant of the classical Greek and Roman traditions"

ENTER: Christianity!
recognized as the official religion of the Roman Empire by 381, and the Church's unity survived the empire.
"Monasticism" a strict regimen of poverty, obedience, humility, labor, and devotion....well, Monks, of course!
Charlemagne : significant figure, crowned emperor by Pope Leo III in 800...which "signified the formation of the Holy Roman Empire."
brought about a cultural and administrative revival that "sponsored a renovation of literature, philosophy, art, and education."
Augustine (354-430)
synthesis of classical and Christian traditions.
Divine Revelation...a divine plan
He placed importance on "the original sin" and that man should seek redemption via Jesus Christ for man to access grace.
He condemned liberal studies!beauty was not so much based upon beautiful objects but a harmony between material, intellectual, and spiritual terms.
he cites Signs: Unknown and ambiguous signs in the scriptures..signify and enable spiritual elements.
He also suggests that rhetoric should be used for training the intellect yet we need to be aware of its use as we may be inclined to point it in mischievous and vain ways.
So beware figurative expressions because one word may mean something other than what it appears. He asserts that all significant knowledge and wisdom comes from the Divine...it is in the scriptures....where men can use reason to understand the world. We must "ascend from the the literal understanding of our world to a symbolic view"
Yes, a precarious balance between Christianity and rhetoric styling...the religious speaker must speak in eloquent and highly stylized linguistic manner to honor The Word...."cultivate good habits and give up evil ones"
Finally....
Augustine's definition of Christianized rhetoric:
"To speak eloquently, then, and wisely as well, is just to express truths which it is expedient to teach in fit and proper words."
Well, that takes the fun out of it! Yes, I understand those were trying times and there was upheaval in how people saw themselves in their world and then deal with the truth once they saw it. Religion acts as a comfy blanket, protect you from the troubles of the world for a bit and help you have compassion for others...but you still wake up to reality and social marginalization in some form.