IMC 2004: Sessions
Session 605: Foundations of Irish Culture, II: The Computus as a Cultural Artifact
Tuesday 13 July 2004, 11.15-12.45
Sponsor: | Foundations of Irish Culture Project, National University of Ireland, Galway |
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Organiser: | Eric Graff, Centre for the Study of Human Settlement & Historical Change, National University of Ireland, Galway |
Moderator/Chair: | Dáibhí Ó Cróinín, Department of History, National University of Ireland, Galway |
Paper 605-a | Lost Computistical Writings of Bishop Victor of Capua (Language: English) Index terms: Ecclesiastical History, Historiography - Medieval, Liturgy, Religious Life |
Paper 605-b | Technical Problems in the Munich Computus (Language: English) Index terms: Education, Learning (The Classical Inheritance), Science, Technology |
Paper 605-c | Re-editing a Paschal 'Forgery' of Pseudo-Morinus (Language: English) Index terms: Language and Literature - Latin, Liturgy, Manuscripts and Palaeography, Science |
Abstract | This session investigates computistical texts as witnesses to cultural conflict. The computus sought to provide a regular and dependable calendar for astronomical and ecclesiastical use. Competing systems of computation formed the basis of argument for the great Easter controversy of 664, but such arguments rarely were conducted on mathematical grounds alone. The Munich Computus, the 'Old' Roman reckoning, and the Disputatio Morini all relate to Easter tables that were supressed in the 'clash of cultures' before Carolingian times. Thus the three subjects of our session demonstrate the multivalence of computus texts, which often carry cultural as well as calendrical importance. |