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New Books Network

Faith Tibble, "Crown of Thorns: Humble Gods and Humiliated Kings" (T&T Clark, 2025)

Apr 18, 2025
Faith Tibble, an art historian specializing in medieval art, discusses her groundbreaking work on the Crown of Thorns. She uncovers a long-overlooked artistic evolution, shifting the narrative from a symbol of humiliation to one of victory for early Christians. Tibble explains the misconceptions surrounding its imagery and illustrates its significance in medieval Christianity, entwining themes of humility and authority. She also delves into the cultural implications of the acanthus plant and reveals how art served to affirm the divine right to rule during challenging times.
41:51

Episode guests

Faith Tibble

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The crown of thorns, originally intended as a symbol of military honor, evolved into a complex emblem representing humility, suffering, and eventual triumph in Christian theology.
  • The veneration of the crown of thorns in medieval Europe illustrates how relics were employed to merge political authority with divine favor, transforming narratives of suffering into symbols of royal legitimacy.

Deep dives

Understanding the Crown of Thorns

The narrative explores the true significance of the crown of thorns, traditionally associated with the mockery of Jesus during his crucifixion. Contrary to popular belief that it was a representation of failure, it is revealed that Roman soldiers crowned Jesus with a wreath to emphasize their perspective on kingship and military leadership rather than kingship per se. Roman crowns signified honor for generals who demonstrated exceptional bravery and leadership in battle, which contrasts with the failure they attributed to Jesus as a purported 'messianic leader.' This unique lens reshapes the understanding of the thorns, as it transforms from a symbol of ridicule into a multifaceted emblem rich with cultural and political connotations.

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