This part focuses on the origin and meaning(s) of ignis sacer (holy fire), a term that historians associate with Saint Anthony's Fire and ergotism. It includes analysis of sources from the early Middle Ages onwards (chronicles, hagiographical and literary texts) describing fatal epidemics almost certainly ergotism that caused blackened and burnt limbs. The author highlights the descriptive hyperbole adopted in such accounts to demonstrate the thaumaturgical powers of a saint or the birth of a cult in a given area. Many saints 'specialised' in healing the burning disease in the Middle Ages and well before St Anthony the main 'healer', featuring in numerous miracle accounts, was the Virgin Mary. The most fascinating description centres on the Holy Candle of Arras.
The Burning Disease Different Names for the Same Disease or Different Diseases with the Same Name?
Foscati, Alessandra
2020-01-01
Abstract
This part focuses on the origin and meaning(s) of ignis sacer (holy fire), a term that historians associate with Saint Anthony's Fire and ergotism. It includes analysis of sources from the early Middle Ages onwards (chronicles, hagiographical and literary texts) describing fatal epidemics almost certainly ergotism that caused blackened and burnt limbs. The author highlights the descriptive hyperbole adopted in such accounts to demonstrate the thaumaturgical powers of a saint or the birth of a cult in a given area. Many saints 'specialised' in healing the burning disease in the Middle Ages and well before St Anthony the main 'healer', featuring in numerous miracle accounts, was the Virgin Mary. The most fascinating description centres on the Holy Candle of Arras.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
