Project

Orientalism and Franz Cumont (1868-1947): his views on “East” and “West” in the context of classical studies in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century

Code

3G019409

Duration

01 January 2009 → 31 December 2014

Funding

Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO)

Promotor

Danny Praet

Research disciplines

Humanities and the arts
- Historical theory and methodology
- Theology and religious studies

Keywords

history of religions orientalism Franz Cumont 19th Century 20th Century French literature Greek literature Latin literature Literary studies

Project description

Cumont offers a unique scientific dossier: he published ca. 800 titles on the religious and cultural interaction between Near-East and West in Antiquity, corresponded with leading scientists, and wrote travel-accounts of the Middle East when it came under colonial European control. These different communicative contexts offer unique opportunities for a nuanced reflection on orientalism and postcolonialism.