1420: * see Endnote<A>

the year work started on the dome of Florence cathedral.  The cathedral was begun in 1296 iwith a Gothic style design  by Arnolfo di Cambio & was completed in 1436; it is one of Italy's largest churches.  The dome designed by Brunelleschi was the first octagonal dome in history built without a temporary wooden supporting frame; until the invention of new materials it was the largest in the world & remains the largest brick dome ever constructed.

 

Catholicism: * see Endnote <B>

Although the Church (Roman Catholic Church) traces its linage back to the Church Fathers (Ambrose, Jerome, St Augustine, Pope Gregory I) & even further to the Apostles themselves (notably Peter) Spengler sees the roots of Catholicism in the 11th century.  The office of the pope, the latter’s ascent & struggle for domination, the act of confession & the Romanesque styles, all characterize Faustian Catholicism (as against Magian Catholicism) and are rooted in this century.

 

Holy Roman Empire (state theory):

The title Holy Roman Emperor (established initially by Leo III in 800 upon Charlemagne’s crowing as Emperor was revived in 962 when Otto I.  His coronation as Emperor marked the German kings as successors to the Empire of Charlemagne & began the continuous existence of the empire for over 8 centuries.  The concept of translatio imperii, made them successors to Ancient Rome. The idea of translatio imperii (Latin for "transfer of rule") signifies a view of history as a linear succession of transfers of an imperium that invests supreme power in a singular ruler, an "emperor" (e.g. Holy Roman Empire). This notion that he—the sovereign ruler—held supreme power inherited from the ancient emperors of Rome, was fundamental to the prestige of the emperor. 

 

knightly tourney:

tournament or tourney (Old French torneiement, tornei) -chivalrous competition (mock fight) between 12th- 16th centuries.  Documentation of equestrian practice 9th-10th centuries shows the tournament developed in the High Middle Ages.  A chronicler of Tours late 12th century attributes the "invention" of the knightly tournament to an Angevin baron, Geoffroi de Preulli (died 1066).  German historiography (16th century) attribute first tournament laws to Henry the Fowler (reigned 919–36).  Sources of 1160s-70s portray the event in the developed form it maintained into the 14th century.  In N. France a pattern of regular tournament meetings is evidenced in sources for the life of Charles, Count of Flanders (1119–27).  

 

city form (new): * see Endnote<C>

Medieval communes in the European Middle Ages had sworn allegiances of mutual defence (both physical defence and of traditional freedoms) among the citizens of a town or city. These took many forms and varied widely in organization and makeup.  They are first recorded in the late 11th & early 12th centuries, thereafter becoming widespread.  They developed first In Italy.  Slightly later in Germany they became free cities, independent from local nobility.

 

Spielmann’s song

a German occupational surname, which means "jester", from the Middle High German spilære

 

Savonarola:

1452-98. Italian Dominican friar & preacher active in Florence; famous for prophecies of civic glory, destruction of secular art & culture & his calls for Christian renewal. He denounced clerical corruption, despotic rule & exploitation of the poor & prophesied the coming of a biblical flood & a new Cyrus from the north to reform the Church.  These prophecies were on the verge of fulfilment in 1494 when Charles VIII of France invaded Italy threatening Florence.  Savonarola intervened with the French king; the Florentines expelled the ruling Medici & established a "popular" republic.  Declaring Florence the New Jerusalem & centre of Christianity he instituted a puritanical campaign, enlisting the active help of Florentine youth.  In 1495 Florence refused to join Pope Alexander VI's Holy League against the French.  Savonarola was summoned to Rome; he disobeyed & continued to preach under a ban, highlighting his campaign for reform with processions, bonfires of the vanities & pious theatricals.  The Pope excommunicated him in May 1497 & threatened interdict.  A rival Florentine preacher proposed trial by fire to test Savonarola's divine mandate; this turned into a fiasco, popular opinion turned against him.  He & 2 friars were imprisoned, condemned by civil authorities, hanged, and burned in the main square of Florence.

 

Dionysian movement:

Spengler sees this as a reaction against the Olympian Gods, against the Doric Destiny, Apollonian stability & rationality; rooted in the 7th century BC; musical & anti-corporal in essence. 

 

Thracian (Dionysius cult):

The Thracian gods Sabazius and Bassareus, are identified with Dionysus.  In the Greek pantheon, Dionysus (along with Zeus) absorbs the role of Sabazios.  Sabazios is the horseman and sky father god of the Phrygians & Thracians.  The migrating Phrygians brought Sabazios with them when they settled in Anatolia early first millennium BC.  His Greek name DIONYSUS means “son of Zeus,” and uses the Thracian word for “son”.  

 

7th century Greece:

Spengler identifies this as the point in time that the Dionysian cult became prominent.  Dionysus is spoken of in the Iliad, as “raging,” an epithet that indicates that in those comparatively early times the orgiastic character of his worship was recognized.  Along with the Odyssey, the Iliad is among the oldest extant works of Western literature, and its written version is usually dated to around the 8th century BC.

 

physiognomically:

outward appearance of anything, taken as offering some insight into its character;  the art of determining character or personal characteristics from the form or features of the body, especially of the face.

 

Faust’s second soul:

Faust states (lines 1100-25/31 of Faust part I):

 

"Two souls, alas, are dwelling in my breast,

And either would be severed from its brother;

The one holds fast with joyous earthy lust

Onto the world of man with organs clinging;

The other soars impassioned from the dust,

To realms of lofty forebears swinging.”

 

In this long lament Faust refers to mankind seeking that which is not known, yet realizing what is known is worthless.  He wishes to strive toward a higher form of existence.