Document Type
Thesis
First Advisor
Mark Frisius
Second Advisor
Andrew Hoag
Publication Date
2023
Scholarship Domain(s)
Scholarship of Interdisciplinary Integration; Scholarship of Faith Integration
Abstract
This thesis illustrates the development of the Christian historical fiction novella named Καθαρός set in the early fourth century of Christian history closely following the events of the Great Persecution and its long-term effects on Christian communities in Asia Minor and North Africa. Previous Christian novels set in the Roman era primarily focus on the first century, and with the significant thematic potential found in later centuries after the life and resurrection of Christ, I embarked on this writing project. The research that affects my narrative is separated into four categories: the history and effects of Diocletian’s Great Persecution, fourth-century churches in Carthage and surrounding North African regions—particularly the nature of the Donatist Schism and its anthropological history, the early reign of Constantine the Great and his interactions with the church, both catholic and otherwise, and the Council of Nicaea and its impact on Christian history going forward. Effort was taken into researching the development of novel writing and historical fiction and its many facets as well.
Recommended Citation
Branstetter, Emma, "Καθαρός, The Pure: Setting Narrative in the Fourth-Century Roman Empire" (2023). Honors Program Projects. 147.
https://digitalcommons.olivet.edu/honr_proj/147
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Included in
Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Art and Architecture Commons, Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, Christianity Commons, Fiction Commons, History of Christianity Commons