Pagan culture and Christian culture reconcile
Take a moment to think about Rome. The first few things that come to mind are probably: churches, Christian culture, monuments and ruins of ancient Rome. Now imagine you are a person living in the seventeenth century, who has been asked to think about Rome. Those same four things - churches, Christian culture, monuments and ruins of ancient Rome - would probably pop up in your head. Back in the seventeenth century, there was, just like today, on the one hand a vast interest in the Christian culture, and on the other hand in the Ancient culture and its remains.
A massive amount of Early Modern literature has been written about the contrast between the pagan culture of ancient Rome and its ruins in particular, as well as about Christian culture in Rome and all her churches. One thing that led to the increase of such literature was the pilgrimage tradition originating in the sixteenth century in order to visit Rome’s seven most significant churches. This tradition has been credited to Saint Philip Neri (1515 – 1595) in the year of 1552. Pilgrims would travel to Rome to visit these churches and obtain an indulgence when the pilgrimage was completed.
One author who wrote about the churches that were visited during this pilgrimage is Nicolas Bralion (1600 – 1672), who was an Oratorian and ecclesiastical writer. Bralion wrote various religious treaties and historical books. In 1625, he went to Rome and devoted his time to research and literary work. He played an essential role in dispersing Italian ideas into France. Bralion wrote a book, which exists of two volumes titled, Les curiositez de l’une et de l’autre Rome, ou traité des plus augustes temples et autres principaux lieux saints de Rome chretienne et des plus notables monuments & vestiges d’Antiquité & magnificence de Rome payenne. In volume one, this book treats various subjects of the pilgrimage to the seven Roman churches, and of course the seven churches themselves. In volume two, however, the remains of the most prominent monuments of ancient Rome are being discussed by Bralion.
​
The Royal Netherlands Institute in Rome owns the first volume of les curiositez in a new binding which still contains the original end leaves which have been restored. The edition contains a magnificent frontispiece made by G. Ladame. In this edition an entire chapter has been dedicated to this frontispiece, which clarifies the symbolism of the illustration.
Anouschka Smitz (1996), studies Greek and Latin Languages and Cultures at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU, second year bachelor student). She has a special interest in manuscripts and historical books printed in Latin.
Bibliography
​
Ritchie, C.S., ‘St. Philip Romolo Neri’. In: The Catholic Encyclopedia 12, New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911. 2 Dec. 2017
<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12018b.htm>.
Jarrett, B., ‘Pilgrimages’. In: The Catholic Encyclopedia 12, New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911. 2 Dec. 2017
<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12085a.htm>.
Thurston, H., ‘Holy Year of Jubilee’. In: The Catholic Encyclopedia 8, New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 2 Dec. 2017
<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08531c.htm
Peterson, J.B., ‘Nicolas de Bralion’. In: The Catholic Encyclopedia 2, New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907. 2 Dec. 2017
<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02735b.htm>
Vigueur, J.C.M., L'autre Rome: une histoire des Romains à l'époque des communes (XIIe-XIVe siècle), Paris, Tallandier, 2010.
​
Book description
​
Nicolas Bralion
Impressum: Paris, printed by E. Couterot, 1655.
Title: Les cvriositez de l’vne et de l’avtre Rome, ov traite’ des plvs avgvstes temples et avtres principavx lieux saints de Rome chrestienne: et des plus notables monuments & vestiges d’Antiquité & magnificence de Rome payenne. Divisé en devx livres: et enrichy de figvres. Par le pere Nicolas de Bralion, Parisien, prestre de l’Oratoire. Premier partie dv premier livre. En laquelle il est traité des Sept Eglises principales de Rome, & de plusieurs autres qui font proche. A Paris, Chez Edme Covterot, rue S.Iacques, au bon Pasteur avec probation et privilege.
Collation: 8°: a8 A-2F8
Description: Binding: non contemporary binding made out of white parchment. Spine: containing an etiquette (probably a remnant of the original leather binding?) stating: ‘De Bralion/ les septes principals sic/ Rome/1655’. Left and right board of plain white parchment.
The book contains illustrations. Frontispiece: les curiositez de l’une et l’autre Rome. G. Ladame deli et fecit.
