The Third Dimension of Coptic Books

Sacrality in Materiality

Bibliographic Data

ID3590824
AuthorsPaola Buzi (0000-0001-9196-6780, Sapienza University of Rome, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume15
Issue1
Pages4
Publication date2023-12-20
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueReligions (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/rel15010004
OpenAlexW4390033277
LanguageEN
References cited22

Books are complex objects. They have an undeniable material dimension, because they are artifacts characterized by a refined technology that has evolved over the centuries, and at the same time, they are vectors of intellectual products, consisting of the work(s) that they convey. However, books may also have a third dimension, since they embody the sacrality of a cult, belong to a performing rite, are offered to god(s) for the salvation of a soul, etc. Therefore, they incorporate an intrinsic sacredness for the simple reasons that they contain certain texts and are used on certain occasions to perform a certain rite. This paper explores the sacred aspect of Coptic codices and their third dimension, analyzing in particular the special case of books buried with a deceased person

Aesthetics · Art · Cult · Epistemology · Literature · Pure mathematics · Rite · Sociology · Soul · Theology · Archaeology and Historical Studies · Historical and Linguistic Studies · Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies · Mathematics · Philosophy

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