Matteo Al Kalak – författare

Eating God examines the history of the Eucharist as a means for understanding transformations in society from the late Middle Ages onwards. After an introduction on the sacrament from its origins to the Protestant Reformation, this book considers how it changed the customs and habits of society, on not only behavioural and imaginative levels, but also artistic and figurative level. The author focuses on Counter-Reformation Italy as a laboratory for the whole of Christendom subject to Rome, and reflects on how, even today, the transformations of the modern age are relevant and influence contemporary debate. This book offers an innovative path through the history of a sacrament, with consideration of its impact as an ‘object’ that was used, venerated, eaten, depicted and celebrated far beyond the sphere of liturgical celebration. It will be particularly relevant to those interested in cultural history and the history of Christianity.

Eating God examines the history of the Eucharist as a means for understanding transformations in society from the late Middle Ages onwards. After an introduction on the sacrament from its origins to the Protestant Reformation, this book considers how it changed the customs and habits of society, on not only behavioural and imaginative levels, but also artistic and figurative level. The author focuses on Counter-Reformation Italy as a laboratory for the whole of Christendom subject to Rome, and reflects on how, even today, the transformations of the modern age are relevant and influence contemporary debate. This book offers an innovative path through the history of a sacrament, with consideration of its impact as an ‘object’ that was used, venerated, eaten, depicted and celebrated far beyond the sphere of liturgical celebration. It will be particularly relevant to those interested in cultural history and the history of Christianity.

Lodovico Antonio Muratori (1672–1750) was one of the most prominent intellectuals of eighteenth-century Europe. His scholarship spanned from philosophy to jurisprudence, from history to epigraphy, from theology to medicine, and his political and social vision was regarded as the manifesto of the prevailing politics on the Peninsula in the first half of the eighteenth century (the so-called “Muratorian age”), precursing the Age of Enlightenment. However, despite his undisputed importance, there is not adequate awareness of Muratori’s work and personality outside of Italy. Lodovico Antonio Muratori: An Intellectual in the Republic of Letters aims at providing scholars with a reference tool on Muratori’s life and works, featuring contributions of both distinguished and young international scholars on all the main aspects of his production, taking into account European politics, culture, philosophy, history, law, medicine, and the society of the first half of eighteenth century.