IMC 2021: Sessions
Session 615: Rivers, Lakes, Seas, and their Inhabitants in the Middle Ages, I: Representations in Art and Literature
Tuesday 6 July 2021, 11.15-12.45
| Organiser: | Polina Ignatova, Department of History, Lancaster University |
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| Moderator/Chair: | Polina Ignatova, Department of History, Lancaster University |
| Paper 615-a | 'By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast' (Job 37. 10): The Representation of Ice in Medieval Iconography of the Last Judgement (Language: English) Index terms: Art History - General, Biblical Studies, Mentalities, Religious Life |
| Paper 615-b | 'The habitat of monstrosities': Sea Monsters and Aquatic Spaces in Beowulf (Language: English) Index terms: Language and Literature - Old English, Language and Literature - Latin, Maritime and Naval Studies, Mentalities |
| Paper 615-c | Nehalenia's Nachleben: A Celtic-Roman Goddess in the 21st Century (Language: English) Index terms: Art History - General, Maritime and Naval Studies, Medievalism and Antiquarianism, Pagan Religions |
| Abstract | This session aims to explore change and continuity in the representations of water ecosystems and aquatic creatures over the centuries. Aleksandra Krauze-Kołodziej will present the analysis of frozen waters in the medieval iconographies of hell appearing in the representations of the Last Judgement. Analysing these depictions in the context of such sources as the Bible, Apocrypha, early Christian writings and Dante's Divine Comedy, Aleksandra will address the symbolic meaning of ice in the eschatological contexts and highlight continuity between pagan spirituality and Christian religion. Ryan Denson will discuss the role of the nicoras - conventionally translated as 'sea monsters' - in Beowulf - demonstrating the connection of these creatures to Late Antique Christian notions of sea monsters. Martine Mussies will explore the ideas and meanings behind the 21st-century re-interpretations of the Rhineland goddess Nehalennia, worshipped during the early centuries of the Common Era. By analysing the inscriptions and symbols appearing on the surviving altars, such as those discovered in Domburg, and modern interpretations of the deity, from the spiritual online fan art to the 2010 song 'Nehalennia' by Dutch folk metal band Heidevolk, this paper will showcase the deity's prominence as a Celtic-Roman patron of merchants and highlight change and continuity in medieval and modern narratives of Nehalennia. |