Now distributed by Brill for The Chinese University Press. Seven; diverse papers; written by ancient and medieval historians; are collected in this volume. These papers were presented at the academic conference "Politics and Religion in Ancient and Medieval Europe and Asia;" organized by the Department of History and New Asia College of The Chinese University of Hong Kong in March 1996. Although the papers vary widely in the region and time-span of coverage - from ancient Egypt; the early Roman Empire; Norman England; to medieval China; they have in common their concern about the relationship between politics and different religions - Christianity; Buddhism; Taoism and others - in ancient and medieval Europe and Asia; and the respective intellectual and cultural interactions. Professor Mu-chou Poo in his paper explores the ancient Egyptian attitudes toward foreigners and foreign culture as an effort to understand Egyptian culture from a new perspective; and as a preliminary attempt to probe into the issues concerning the nature of ancient ethnicity and cultural consciousness. Professor Yen-zen Tsai's paper looks into the way the early Roman Empire treated mystery cults under its rule. Professor Ming-chiu Lai discusses the impact of a Buddhist ritual on Chinese religious culture between the second and sixth centuries. Professor Chi-tim Lai in his paper argues that some Taoist teachings advocated a new world order; but they were not the real force that provoked the rebellions during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Professor Puay-peng Ho exhibits the political meanings of the imperial buildings in the Tang period and sheds light on the research about legitimacy in medieval China. Professor Warren Hollister's paper; which is also the keynote speech; points out that the high culture of twelfth century western Europe was largely the product of monastery. Finally; Professor Frederick Hok-ming Cheung examines the role of the Church in Anglo-Norman politics. The book will furnish a basis for further investigation on politics and religion in the ancient and medieval world; and inspire scholarly inquiries into the comparative dimensions of these important historical phenomena. This volume is distributed by Brill for The Chinese University Press.
#2755158 in Books 1983-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.02 x .46 x 5.98l; .66 #File Name: 9062037852200 pages
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Should be part of the general education of everybodyBy Mr. DN ClaytonI am rating this highly on two counts: first the value of the document translated and second the brilliant and fascinating introduction by Michael Masi. Both should be read in conjunction for unless you understand the context and the way that Boethius is describing the relationships between numbers; as Masi describes it; then the text; though translated; will not be understood. Once we know this; however; then we can understand clearly why this document had such an impact impact on Western culture over centuries. The mathematical relationships Boethius describes were used directly as principles of order and beauty to govern and direct the creative impulses by artists; architects; musicians and in poetry and literature. The study of the philosophical basis of from which these harmonious relationship were derived; was considered an integral part of a good education up to the Enlightenment and so formed the minds of the great philosophers and theologians - those who shaped the society of the time. It was seen as forming the mind for grasping beauty; virtue and for love of God and man
