Zalai Múzeum 11. Kereszténység Pannóniában az első évezredben (Zalaegerszeg, 2002)

Gáspár, Dorottya: Donatio Iustiniani

ZALAI MÚZEUM 11 2002 Gáspár, Dorottya Donatio Iustiniani The aim of this paper is to set up and examine a hypothesis about the early Christian basilica at Fenékpuszta.

1 According to this hypothesis, the basilica was modified very late in the 6th or early in the 7th centuries by Benedictine monks. Mirja Jarak disputed a supposition connected with the donatio in a contribution published recently.

2 She systematically considers the source, the Epitome chronicorum Cassinensium, but particularly the part containing the donatio Iustiniani, which is generally thought to be forgery. This document lists the towns that were given by the Emperor lustinianus I to the monastery of Monte Cassino and the Benedictine monks. These towns include some possessions in the province Pannónia as well. Mirja Jarak asked the question whether the order of the towns contains any logical sequence or not. She pointed out that the composer of the donatio had written the names of the towns in the same order and with the same orthography as we read them in the Itinerarium Antonini. The sites and provinces listed did not belong to the Benedictine monks, but they undeniably belonged to the territories annexed by the lustinianus I. The main point of Jarak's statement is as follows: „The archaeological finds as well as the Epitome chronicorum Cassinensium refer to the connection between Pannónia and the Eastern Roman Empire in the 6th century. ... Although Justinian's donation to St. Benedict is unacceptable, a connection between locations from the Epitome chronicorum Cassinensium and Justinian appears to be true. ... For the problem of the presence the Eastern Roman Empire in Pannónia, the secure sources are missing, but it may be presumed that the former Eastern Gothic territory belonged to Justinian's sphere of interest."

3 I shall now attempt to clarify some elements of this issue by way of reference to evidences and interpretations. My discussion is going to pursue the following heads: 1. Benedict and the historical background 2. Benedict and Emperor lustinianus I. 3. Benedict and St. Gregory the Great 4. Donatio Iustiniani 5. Archaeological and liturgical evidences and ideas 6. Conlusion 1. Benedict and the historical background Benedict was born at Nursia. He studied rhetoric and law in Rome. „There, at a very early stage, it would appear, he was tempted both by women and by spiritual pride. 'He withdrew the foot he had placed on the doorstep of the world' (St Gregory), i.e. he fled from Rome and its dangerous charms."

4 At that time, he was less than twenty. He went to the village of Enfida, then Subiaco, where he lived in a grotto. Three years later, he became the leader of the monks at Vicavoro. Nevertheless, because of his harshness, his followers wanted to poison him. Benedict's life, however, was saved by a miracle. He returned to the grotto. Then, another group of monks tried to poison him, again. But a crow took away the poisoned bread. Finally, he arrived at Monte Cassino after these events. He built a monastery where once a temple of Apollo stood.

5 This happened around 529. He died on March 21, 547, or so. According to general opinion, Benedict founded at least three cloisters, namely Subiaco, Monte Cassino and Terracina.

6 Of course, there were other monks both before and after Benedict.

7 The period that began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 was not exactly a quiet one. Rome itself lost its former glamour. After killing Odoacer, Theoderic (473-527) became the ruler in Italy, and had his residence in Ravenna from 493. He intended to reign pretending to Roman culture and intellectual life and religious tolerance. Finally, however, Theoderic chose bloodshed, because of the anti-Arian edict of Emperor lustinus I. (518-527). Even pope Iohannes I (523-526) fell victim to the savagery of Theoderic. Ostrogoths living on the Italian peninsula, ravaged and put the country to ruins. lustinianus began to reconquer the country in 535.

8 However, under the leadership of Totila (541-552) the Ostrogoths withstood lustinianus' army. In addition, there was a conflict between pope Vigilius (537-555) and emperor lustinianus I (527565). 2. Benedict and the Emperor lustinianus I. Some, seemingly coincidental, events are very interesting, lustinianus I. closed the ancient schools in