The making of the Christian incubation: A study on Late Antique Miracula

Since ancient times, divination involving divine communication and guidance has been an inherent component of belief systems and relationships with the sacred. One aspect of these divination practices is incubation, which involves seeking healing through divine revelations while in a state of sleep in a sacred space. This practice has persisted over time and across different locations, with its influence still observable today. Therefore, this thesis will examine the complex structure of incubation rituals, especially in relation to pagan and Christian traditions in the late antique period. Advocating for a more nuanced explanation that embraces both continuity and change in these practices, this thesis also aims to challenge the dichotomy observed in recent studies that predominantly support or emphasize direct continuity or a distinct Christian incubation. The first chapter presents a comprehensive analysis of incubation rituals through a comparative study of the importance of sacred spaces, ritualistic procedures, and dreams in facilitating divine communication and healing in both Christian and pagan practices. The second chapter explores the significance of healing within pagan and Christian frameworks, along with various perspectives on the human-divine relationship and healing, including an evaluation of the evidence presented in Miracula. To better understand how divinely sanctioned healing practices shape societal dynamics and the human-divine relationship, the third chapter examines reactions to magical practices as alternatives to incubation rituals and evaluates the role of supernatural powers within the Christian incubation narrative as presented in Miracula.