The presentation “Law and Transgression in Ancient Egypt” by Andra Midache Cicarma, from Ovidius University of Constanța, brought to the forefront a fascinating topic in the history of Egyptian civilization: the relationship between law, justice, and cosmic order. A key concept of the presentation was Maat, the principle representing truth, justice, and order. In the ancient Egyptian worldview, Maat served as a link between divine and human justice, while also playing a fundamental role in maintaining social order. The presentation also addressed the concepts of divine law and divine kingship, highlighting the role of the pharaoh in maintaining balance between humans, the gods, and the cosmos. The pharaoh’s coronation was not merely a political act, but symbolically reiterated the creation and order of the cosmos, reaffirming the ruler’s responsibility to uphold Maat. Thus, in ancient Egypt, law was not viewed separately from religion and universal order. Upholding justice contributed to maintaining balance within society and the world, while transgression represented a threat to this order.
The day continued with an exploration of the literature and history of modern Greece. Dr. Andreea Ștefan, from the National Museum of Romanian History and the University of Bucharest, guided the students through a reading of the poem “Αἱ Ἡρωΐδες τῆς Θεσσαλίας” (“The Heroines of Thessaly”), a text written and circulated on 25 March 1878, a date of profound significance in Greek national memory. The poem is set against a historical backdrop marked by anti-Ottoman uprisings in Thessaly, a region where the struggle for freedom and the affirmation of national identity played an important role. It is a militant pamphlet aimed at recruiting volunteers and raising funds for the anti-Ottoman struggle. The text places the heroism of the women of Thessaly at its center, offering an insight into the way women were represented in the patriotic and literary discourse of the period. The presentation also explored the particularities of Katharevousa, the form of Greek used in official and cultural contexts during the 19th century. An analysis of the vocabulary and poetic expressions further revealed numerous references to the Homeric tradition, through which contemporary heroism is brought into dialogue with the heroic models of Antiquity.
Another highlight of the day was the presentation “Law and Custom in Late Antique Jewish Cosmogony,” delivered by Associate Professor Mădălina Vârtejanu-Joubert (INALCO, Paris). The presentation explored the complex relationship between law, custom, and divine intervention in Jewish cosmology, beginning with the question of the limits of God’s intervention in relation to traditional order and practice. The analysis highlighted the different ways in which God operates in the world, as well as the persistent concern with the extent of transgression and the boundaries of its limits. In this context, rabbinic literature, including texts such as the Jerusalem Talmud and Leviticus Rabba*, provides an essential framework for understanding the relationship between norms, authority, and interpretation. An important aspect of the presentation was the role of the earthly court in decision-making. Rabbinic authority was grounded in the ability to interpret and understand the divine will, making rabbis essential figures within the community. Although this literature was predominantly elitist in character, it played a fundamental role in transmitting and consolidating tradition and communal norms.
The academic programme continued with an introduction to the Syriac language and literature, delivered by Professor István Perczel of Central European University in Vienna. The presentation introduced students to one of the important linguistic and literary traditions of the Christian East, highlighting the connections between the development of languages, the transmission of texts, and the circulation of knowledge. Professor Perczel presented the family tree of the Semitic languages, providing a framework for understanding the place of the Aramaic languages within this linguistic family. In this context, the origins of the Syriac language were also discussed. Professor Perczel presented the hypothesis that Syriac most likely originated from an Aramaic dialect spoken in Edessa, one of the important cultural and religious centres of the ancient East. Continuing the presentation, Professor Perczel spoke about Classical Syriac and the forms in which it has survived to the present day, emphasizing that this linguistic tradition remains active in contemporary cultural and religious contexts. He also discussed Kthobonoyo, the modern literary form of Syriac, as well as Garshuni script, a practice in which modern languages are written using the Syriac alphabet. Through these examples, the session highlighted the continuity of the Syriac tradition and the ways in which language and writing have been adapted and transmitted over the centuries, preserving the connection between the linguistic heritage of the Christian East and the communities that continue to cultivate it today.
