The thunderbolt as a Sign of God in Orosius’ Seven Books of History against the Pagans

Tomasz Skibiński

doi:10.21697/sc.2017.24.5

Published: 2018-09-10

Vol. 24 (2017)

The thunderbolt as a Sign of God in Orosius’ Seven Books of History against the Pagans

Tomasz Skibiński

Saeculum Christianum. Historical Writings

Section: Rozprawy i Artykuły

https://doi.org/10.21697/sc.2017.24.5

Abstract

In the preface to the “Seven Books of History against the Pagans” Orosius announces that he will present different disasters which affected mankind throughout history, and mentions among them thunderbolt strikes. The article aims at analysing the descriptions of this phenomenon
from the point of view of their circumstances, time, results and meanings. The study shows that although the circumstances are different, it was always God who sent down the lightning strikes and spoke through them. Orosius dedicates a lot of attention to the sacking of Rome by the Visigoths in 410 AD, which ended also with a lightning strike. The analysis
of this and of other descriptions shows Orosius’ vision of history and the temporal order based on the power of Rome and faith in the true God.

Keywords:

Orosius, Sevens Books of History against the Pagans, thunderbolt, sign, portent

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Skibiński, T. (2018). The thunderbolt as a Sign of God in Orosius’ Seven Books of History against the Pagans. Saeculum Christianum. Historical Writings, 24, 17–27. https://doi.org/10.21697/sc.2017.24.5

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Tomasz Skibiński

saeculum.christianum@uksw.edu.pl
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8944-8335

Affiliation:

WNHiS UKSW, Warszawa Poland

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

Ks. dr Tomasz Skibiński SAC, patrolog i historyk pecjalizujący się w badaniach późnego antyku i wczesnego średniowiecza w Zachodnim Cesarstwie Rzymskim i królestwach sukcesyjnych na Zachodzie. Zastępca Dyrektora Instytutu Nauk Historycznych w Uniwersytecie Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego w Warszawie.