The Roman eagle : a symbol and its evolution
This thesis studies the symbolism of the eagle throughout Roman history from the pre-Roman background to A.D. 211. Its aim is to discover whether the popular assumptions made concerning this well-known Roman symbol, i.e. that it represented Jupiter or Rome, were true or whether it has a range of meanings, previously undiscussed in scholarship. Using a combined methodology of semiotics and cognitive science, I examine the eagle in five chronological periods, each of which are divided into themes based on particular areas of the eagleâs symbolism. The first of these themes, âPhysical Animal and Realityâ, examines the ancient thought surrounding the actual eagle and its use in magic and medicine. The second, âConcepts and Characteristicsâ, examines the particular characteristics of an eagle (i.e. its eyesight and claws) used for symbolic purposes and the particular concepts (i.e. valour and criminality) it is used to express. The third, âReligion and Mythâ, examines the divine nature of the eagle and its connection to deities, as well as its position in myth, astrology, and fringe religions. The fourth, âMartial and State Connectionsâ, examines the origin of the eagle standard and its social
Greet, Benjamin James Robert
The Roman eagle : a symbol and its evolution. This thesis studies the symbolism of the eagle throughout Roman history from the pre-Roman background to A.D. 211. Its aim is to discover whether the popular assumptions made concerning this well-known Roman symbol, i.e. that it represented Jupiter or Rome, were true or whether it has a range of meanings, previously undiscussed in scholarship. Using a combined methodology of semiotics and cognitive science, I examine the eagle in five chronological periods, each of which are divided into themes based on particular areas of the eagleâs symbolism. The first of these themes, âPhysical Animal and Realityâ, examines the ancient thought surrounding the actual eagle and its use in magic and medicine. The second, âConcepts and Characteristicsâ, examines the particular characteristics of an eagle (i.e. its eyesight and claws) used for symbolic purposes and the particular concepts (i.e. valour and criminality) it is used to express. The third, âReligion and Mythâ, examines the divine nature of the eagle and its connection to deities, as well as its position in myth, astrology, and fringe religions. The fourth, âMartial and State Connectionsâ, examines the origin of the eagle standard and its social
roman symbol evolution study symbolism throughout roman_history pre_roman background aim_discover whether popular assumption_make concern well_known roman symbol represent rome true whether range_meaning previously scholarship using combine semiotics cognitive_science examine chronological_period divide theme base particular area symbolism first theme physical animal reality examine ancient thought surround actual use magic medicine second concepts characteristics examine particular characteristic use symbolic purpose particular concept criminality use_express third religion myth examine divine nature connection deity well position myth astrology fringe religion fourth martial state connections examine origin standard social