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Dr Faith Tibble will talk about how the ubiquitous imagery of the Crown of Thorns in Passion iconography - commonly symbolising torture, suffering and humiliation - is not at all what it seems, especially for the earliest Christians who first depicted this well-known adornment. This lecture will explode our assumptions about the Crown of Thorns. Her talk will show the audience that the first instance of the Crown of Thorns in Christian art is not what we expect. We find a serene Jesus, gently crowned by a Roman soldier with a leafy wreath. Where are the thorns, the blood, the suffering and humiliation? Perhaps surprisingly, the primary reason lies in the Crown’s military attributes. Particularly the expectations of Jesus as a Messiah, as well as the Roman understanding of triumph.
Dr Faith Tibble, Medieval Art Historian
Faith Tibble is a graduate of Temple and Haifa Universities. A former Latin instructor in Philadelphia, she moved to Israel to study archaeology before gaining her PhD in Medieval Art History. Her recent book, ‘The Crown of Thorns: Humble Gods and Humiliated Kings’, was published by Bloomsbury in March 2025
This event is being organised and promoted as a fundraiser in support of Peterborough Cathedral. All proceeds from ticket sales and associated event income will contribute directly to the Cathedral’s charitable work, including the preservation of the historic building, the continuation of worship and music and the delivery of education and community programmes. By attending, you are taking part in a dedicated fundraising event that helps ensure the Cathedral remains open, vibrant and accessible for present and future generations. Thank you for your support.
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Event Venue
Minster Precincts, PE1 1XS Peterborough, United Kingdom, Peterborough, United Kingdom
Tickets
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