Introduction to Dominicans in Medieval Rome
Title
Subject
Description
On this tour we will examine how the Dominican entry into Rome began to change the religious landscape of the city and how the Order established their newfound significance by developing theological curriculum at Santa Sabina, creating new mendicant convents in San Sisto, and introducing architectural styles from outside Rome in Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, these being the three churches we will visit on this tour. One of the many changes happening in early thirteenth century Rome was the rise of mendicant religious orders. Mendicant orders were religious groups who steered away from the traditional monastic life of strict seclusion and meditation, and instead dedicated themselves to a hybrid lifestyle of traveling into cities and preaching while still retaining spiritual aspects and committing themselves to a life of poverty and urban engagement. The two most famous of these are Franciscans and our focus for the tour, Dominicans, the two of which had a complicated relationship given their cohabitation and differing approaches.
Founded in 1215 by Dominic de Guzman and granted approval by Pope Honorius III in 1216, the Dominican Order rapidly grew in importance. By 1222 the papacy had given them control of Santa Sabina and San Sisto Vecchio, and by the late 13th century they would gain control of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva giving them great influence on Rome’s religious landscape. It is important to understand how significant orders like the Dominicans interacted with the people of Rome; they went directly into piazzas, streets, and poor neighborhoods to spread their message and provide aid, marking a large shift of attention from the countryside to the city. The Dominicans presented themselves as an immediate resource for religion that spoke straight to the people, and this, coupled with their tradition of theological education that allowed them to be well equipped to preach, strengthened the presence of Christianity in the urban population. This makes their appearance in thirteenth century Rome undeniably significant and an integral component of understanding medieval Rome.
Creator
Source
Bruzelius, Caroline. Preaching, Building, and Burying: Friars and the Medieval City. Yale University Press. New Haven. 2014.
Stephany, Christie Fengler. “The Meeting of Saints Francis and Dominic.” Franciscans Studies. 47, 1987, pp. 218-233
Lloyd, Joan Barclay. “Medieval Dominican Architecture at Santa Sabina in Rome, c. 1219-c.1320.” Papers of the British School at Rome. 72, 2004, pp. 231-292
Date
Identifier
Coverage
Spatial Coverage
Description
On this tour we will examine how the Dominican entry into Rome began to change the religious landscape of the city and how the Order established their newfound significance by developing theological curriculum at Santa Sabina, creating new mendicant convents in San Sisto, and introducing architectural styles from outside Rome in Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, these being the three churches we will visit on this tour. One of the many changes happening in early thirteenth century Rome was the rise of mendicant religious orders. Mendicant orders were religious groups who steered away from the traditional monastic life of strict seclusion and meditation, and instead dedicated themselves to a hybrid lifestyle of traveling into cities and preaching while still retaining spiritual aspects and committing themselves to a life of poverty and urban engagement. The two most famous of these are Franciscans and our focus for the tour, Dominicans, the two of which had a complicated relationship given their cohabitation and differing approaches.
Founded in 1215 by Dominic de Guzman and granted approval by Pope Honorius III in 1216, the Dominican Order rapidly grew in importance. By 1222 the papacy had given them control of Santa Sabina and San Sisto Vecchio, and by the late 13th century they would gain control of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva giving them great influence on Rome’s religious landscape. It is important to understand how significant orders like the Dominicans interacted with the people of Rome; they went directly into piazzas, streets, and poor neighborhoods to spread their message and provide aid, marking a large shift of attention from the countryside to the city. The Dominicans presented themselves as an immediate resource for religion that spoke straight to the people, and this, coupled with their tradition of theological education that allowed them to be well equipped to preach, strengthened the presence of Christianity in the urban population. This makes their appearance in thirteenth century Rome undeniably significant and an integral component of understanding medieval Rome.
Creator
Felipe Jimenez (2021)Date
1216Coverage
1200sSource
Bruzelius, Caroline. Preaching, Building, and Burying: Friars and the Medieval City. Yale University Press. New Haven. 2014.
Stephany, Christie Fengler. “The Meeting of Saints Francis and Dominic.” Franciscans Studies. 47, 1987, pp. 218-233
Lloyd, Joan Barclay. “Medieval Dominican Architecture at Santa Sabina in Rome, c. 1219-c.1320.” Papers of the British School at Rome. 72, 2004, pp. 231-292