His first book, The Empire of Death: A Cultural.

The images of the catacomb saints are dazzling, almost beyond belief, and their story captures an interesting moment of uncertainty in the Catholic Church and even some insight into the psychology of worship. Paul Koudounaris lives in Los Angeles, where he took his doctorate in the art history department of UCLA. Finally, Koudounaris recounts the backlash against the relics by Protestants and Catholics alike and their unfortunate fates. Gratian dressed in Roman military attire designed by Eder. Deodatus in armor seated on a throne, a wax face mask concealing his skull and St. Koudounaris (The Empire of Death: A Cultural History of Ossuaries and Charnel Houses) provides the largely forgotten story of the katakombenheiligen, skeletons unearthed from Roman catacombs. He also details their restoration and decoration, most notably the handiwork of Dominican nuns in Ennetach and master goldsmith Adalbart Eder. Koudounaris examines the 'slipshod' process used by Church officials to authenticate the relics as martyrs. In 1578 news came of the discovery in Rome of a labyrinth of undergroun. They were credited with miracle cures and all sorts of healing%E2%80%94from breaking a fever to reviving the dead. The fully articulated skeleton of a female saint, dressed in an intricate costume of silk brocade and gold lace, withered fingers glittering with colorful rubies, emeralds, and pearls this is only one of the specially photographed relics featured in Heavenly Bodies. These supposed-sacred remains served as protectors and patron saints as well as generated massive profits in donation.

The 'saints,' though essentially unverified, buoyed Catholic spirits in German-speaking regions during the uncertainty of the Protestant Reformation and were unceremoniously abandoned with embarrassment by the early 19th century. Serving as an introduction to the forgotten legacy of the Catacomb Saints, the Los Angeles based author and photographer spent. Koudounaris (The Empire of Death: A Cultural History of Ossuaries and Charnel Houses) provides the largely forgotten story of the katakombenheiligen, skeletons unearthed from Roman catacombs, intricately adorned with jewels and worshiped as martyrs, along with 90 extraordinary color photographs. Golden filigree, intricate beadwork, and elaborate costumes adorn ancient skeletons in the handsomely illustrated Heavenly Bodies: Cult Treasures and Spectacular Saints from the Catacombs by Paul Koudounaris.

Heavenly bodies paul koudounaris