Pseudo‑Dionysius

About the journal

Pseudo-Dionysius is a journal by the undergraduate and graduate students of the Classical Studies Society of Dalhousie University and the University of King's College.

Pseudo-Dionysius was founded by Raymond Butcher, Jennifer Wall, and Michael Sampson in 1999. The layout and design of the journal was established by Michael Sampson in that year and has remained substantially the same up to the present time.

Pseudo-Dionysius has made it possible for both undergraduate and graduate students within and beyond the Dalhousie Department of Classics to showcase the work they have done in classical studies. In reflecting the diverse nature of classical studies, each edition of the journal presents papers on a wide variety of classical themes including ancient history, philosophy, literature, science and religion.

Since 2013 the journal has also been published online.

About the name

Both journals Dionysius and Pseudo-Dionysius take their names from Dionysius the Areopagite, a sixth-century Neoplatonic mystic and theologian who claimed to have been converted by St. Paul when he preached in Athens. In fact, under his pseudonym, he conveys the philosophical, religious, and theological heritage of Hellenic antiquity into the Christian world. Assuming many identities, Dionysius appeared also as the martyred bishop of Paris who became the patron saint of France. As St. Denys, he is often depicted holding his own head. According to legend, the martyr arose after his execution and carried his head for some distance.