Clement of Alexandria on the Importance of Table Etiquette
Clement of Alexandria's discussion of table manners has received scant attention. In part, this is because issues of etiquette seem trivial to us—at a far remove from the serious subject of morality. In antiquity, however, behavior at meals formed part of an index of personal morality. Clement&...
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Johns Hopkins Univ. Press
1995
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| In: |
Journal of early Christian studies
Year: 1995, Volume: 3, Issue: 2, Pages: 123-141 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Parallel Edition: | Non-electronic
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| Summary: | Clement of Alexandria's discussion of table manners has received scant attention. In part, this is because issues of etiquette seem trivial to us—at a far remove from the serious subject of morality. In antiquity, however, behavior at meals formed part of an index of personal morality. Clement's concern to foster an ethic of restraint fits into this program of self-definition. His intent, however, is broader than the personal. As Pierre Bourdieu's work on the habitus has shown, "gestures" provide the basis for group identity. Clement uses his construct of politeness to promote group solidarity, especially at the important ritual moment of commensality. |
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| ISSN: | 1086-3184 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal of early Christian studies
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1353/earl.0.0041 |