L’uso ‘politico’ delle traduzioni nella crisi origenista (382-402)

The origenist crisis, contextualized in the framework of the accelerated development of monasticisms in the last quarter of the fourth-century, can be also interpreted as the clash or confrontation between different understandings of the Church: either a monolithic structure ruled by the bishop, who embodied the roles of both pastor and magister, or a structure capable to allow monastic groups to play an important role in the spiritual guidance and theological scholarship. Within the realm of such clash, the origenian heritage constituted an ideal locus theologicus. It hinged on a spiritual hierarchy constituted by doctores, not always corresponding to the actual hierarchy along with a majority of semplices. At the end of fourth-century, the different parties could build on Origen both to support their arguments and to better define them in opposition to him. This article is centered on the translations – true protagonists in the origenist crisis – in their political meaning. Through the translations of the origenian works and of other key players of the crisis, identities, careers and groups were built. The decision as to what, how, when to translate set forth/manifested the intention to publicize or conceal/hide particular textes and to form, broaden, defend certain groups of readers or theological arguments. This article is composed of five sections: (1) When and why did Jerome begin to translate Origen? (2) Origen’s presence in roman ascetic groups; (3) Which Origen?; (4) In Bethlehem and Jerusalem (386-397); (5) The De principiis makes the scene: translation and counter-translation, polemics.