Work

Ireland as the earthly culmination of translatio imperii in Suidiugud Tellaig Temra

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This paper discusses Orosius’ concept of translatio imperii, as repurposed in the Middle Irish narrative, Suidiugud Tellaig Temra ‘The Establishment of Tara’s Dominion’ (STT).1 More particularly, it describes the way that STT’s reinterpretation of Orosius’ historiography positions Ireland as the most recent successor to the providential movement of imperial power that he outlines in Historiae adversus paganos ‘Histories against the Pagans’ II.1 and VII.2. It begins by outlining earlier Irish precedents for the idea that the king of Tara was the ruler of all Ireland, and as such, an emperor. STT is found to follow earlier apocalyptic revisions of Orosius, which identify the idealized empire as a paradisal successor to the Roman Empire, rather than its simple continuation. It is further determined, however, that STT’s own apocalyptic revision of Orosius is informed by Augustine’s belief in the westward movement of empire’s succession, as also by Servius’ attestation of paradisal islands in the Western Sea.

Source: Bulletin of the Institute of Classical Studies

DOI: 10.1093/bics/qbaf004

Author: Daniel James Watson

Institution: Dublin Institute For Advanced Studies

Language: English

Topic: Medieval Literature and History

Subfield: Classics

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,285

Funders: Irish Research eLibrary, University of Oxford, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, H2020 European Research Council