Caspar Heinrich Graun

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Caspar Heinrich Graun (born February 2, 1659 in Striegnitz near Döbeln , Saxony , † May 19, 1710 in Rochlitz ) was a German Lutheran theologian and historian .

Life

Caspar Heinrich Graun was the son of a pastor working in the village of Striegnitz near Döbeln. After completing basic schooling, he moved to Wittenberg University in 1677 to also study theology. During his stay there, he also began to be interested in philosophical and historical studies and first decided to work as a teacher. After obtaining the master's degree in philosophy (1679), he gave lectures. It was not until 1684 that he received the subordinate position of an adjunct in the philosophical faculty.

Among Graun's works in the field of ancient history , his research on the tetrarchs ( Dissertatio de Tetrarchis ad Luc. III, 1 , Wittenberg 1684), on the older Gamaliel ( De Gamaliele cognomine sene , Rostock 1684) and on Agrippina , the mother , should be emphasized Neros ( Dissertatio de Agrippina, Neronis matre , Wittenberg 1681). His discussions on issues from recent history include:

  • De Conrado Salico ex historiae monumentis
  • Disputationes de causis amissae majestatis odio et contemtu Mariae Stuartae Scotorum olim reginae
  • Dissertatio de Carolo, Hispaniorum Principe, Philippi II filio , 1687

Graun's contribution to geography ( Dalemincia Slavorum , Wittenberg 1687) was also made by Christian Franz Paullini in his work De pagis antiquae Germaniae (Frankfurt 1699) and by Christian , since it contains a precise description of a very old German district bordering on the Lausitz Gottfried Hoffmann in his collection of the sources of Lusatian history ( Scriptores Rerum Lausaticarum , Leipzig 1719, vol. 4, p. 155 ff.).

Since Graun did not expect a quick promotion to the University of Wittenberg, he accepted the position of court preacher with Prince Johann Ludwig von Anhalt-Zerbst, who was resident in Dornburg , after obtaining the doctorate in theology in 1689 . He held this post until he was appointed superintendent in Rochlitz in 1693. Interest in historical studies awoke anew here, such as his treatise on the history and antiquities of the county and town of Rochlitz ( Commentatio de antiquitate oppidi, dictionis et comitatus Rochliciensis , Leipzig 1718; also printed in SG Heine's historical description of the town and county of Rochlitz in Meißen , Leipzig 1719) proves. He has now published some of the philosophical and theological works that have long been completed:

  • Definitions, hypotheses et propositiones philosophicae , Leipzig 1697
  • Apodixis quaestionum aliquot theologicarum
  • Definitions theologicae dogmaticae , Jena 1700

The last years of Graun's life were clouded by frequent attacks of depression and it was not uncommon for him to suddenly feel so anxious at the moment when he was about to climb to the pulpit that he had to give the sermon to one of his colleagues in the sacristy . Therefore he received a substitute in 1710, but died that same year at the age of 51.

literature

personal data
SURNAME Graun, Caspar Heinrich
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German Lutheran theologian and historian
DATE OF BIRTH February 2, 1659
PLACE OF BIRTH Striegnitz near Döbeln , Saxony
DATE OF DEATH May 19, 1710
Place of death Rochlitz