The Jesuit Nicholas Bobadilla’s phrase qui graecizabant lutheranizabant (whoever was attracted to Greek was also attracted to Lutheranism) is often cited to characterise the association of Greek learning with Protestant movements in Europe, as well as the Catholic suspicion surrounding Greek studies in early modern Europe. Indeed, Protestant scholars often emphasised Greek learning as a first and significant step towards Reform and towards accessing the word of Scriptures, and as distinguishing feature from Catholicism. At the same time, however, and after a certain recalibration, Catholic circles did not abandon Greek studies, despite this uncertainty surrounding Greek. For example, the Greek language continued to play a role in discussions within Catholicism, particularly among Jesuits, and later, Jansenists.
Was there a shift in their approach? Is this shift discernible, either in curricula or in other discourses? Did Protestants favour some Greek authors, works and genres over others? Can we speak of a ‘Protestant’ and a ‘Catholic’ approach to Greek studies? While some of these questions have to some extent been addressed in specialised examples focussing on specific individuals and milieus, there remains a lack of overarching understanding regarding the role of Greek studies in shaping religious intellectual culture during this period. This necessitates an overall evaluation of how knowledge of Greek, Greek literature, and Greek history was used in religious contexts in early modern Europe.
This conference aims to provide a more nuanced understanding of the role of Greek learning in religious discourse. We invite proposals on the following topics:
– Greek studies and Reform
– Greek learning and irenicism / cross-confessional dialogue
– Relationship between classical learning and theology
– ‘Protestant’ versus ‘Catholic’ translations of texts (classical, as well as Patristic)
– Greek learning in Protestant schools
– Greek learning in Jesuit education
– Jansenism and Greek
Participants are encouraged to pay particular attention to the material aspects of their sources, which may include printed books, manuscripts, archival documents, images, or material culture.
We would be happy to receive proposals for research paper presentations of a maximum of 25 minutes by the 1st of December 2026. The call is open to both established and early career scholars. Abstracts should not exceed 250 words (excluding references) and should include the full name and professional affiliation of the presenter(s).
For further enquiries and to send your abstracts and a short CV, please email Han Lamers – University of Oslo (han.lamers@roma.uio.no) and Natasha Constantinidou – University of Cyprus (constantinidou.natasha@ucy.ac.cy).
Visual: Domenichino, Cumaean Sibyl (oil on canvas, 138 × 103 cm, ca. 1622), Musei Capitolini, Rome. The Greek inscription on the scroll reads “There is one infinite and unbegotten God.”
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