tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538502828554372917.post1303891205046081302..comments2024-03-28T07:57:49.338+00:00Comments on Poul Anderson Appreciation: Church And StateKetlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588156788583883454noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538502828554372917.post-44201718808210457362018-07-05T13:37:38.815+01:002018-07-05T13:37:38.815+01:00Kaor, Paul!
Yes, from the time of Augustus on war...Kaor, Paul!<br /><br />Yes, from the time of Augustus on wards, the Roman Emperors included among their titles that of "Pontifex Maximus," high priest of the old pagan religion of Rome. Even after the Emperors became Christians, it continued to be held by them for a while, until Gratian's reign (AD 375-83). That Emperor thought it was improper for a Christian to bear such a title and renounced it. Then, as you said, it became attached to the Bishops of Rome, to this very day.<br /><br />"Pontifex Maximus" literally means "Supreme Bridgebuilder." And given the unique authority and status of the Popes, it was natural for that title to be adopted by them.<br /><br />Hmmm, so "Ariadne" is PROPERLY a title, not a name? I'm a bit chagrined to realize that despite my previous readings of THE DANCER FROM ATLANTIS, I never thought before of looking up what was known of the religion of Minoan Crete.<br /><br />Sean<br />Sean M. Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13973738112230622557noreply@blogger.com