The Roman Catholic Church's Response to Barbarians, Heresy, and Warfare in Late Antiquity By ...

106 Pages·2012·4.85 MB·English

The Roman Catholic Church's Response to Barbarians, Heresy, and Warfare in Late Antiquity
By

Scott Raymond Steffens

A thesis submitted to

Sonoma State University

in partial fulfillment ofthe requirements

for the degree of

Master ofArts in

History
Mary Halavais, Ph.D.
Copyright 2011

By Scott Raymond Steffens

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OF MASTER'S THESIS

I grant permission for the reproduction of this thesis in its entirety, without further
authorization from me, on the condition that the person or agency requesting reproduction
absorb the cost and provide proper acknowledgment of authorship.
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The Roman Catholic Church's Response to Barbarians, Heresy, and Warfare in Late Antiquity.
Thesis by

Scott Raymond Steffens

Abstract

Purpose of the Study:
The orthodox Catholic Church ofLate Antiquity was a very active participant in the
political and social turmoil that defined fourth and fifth century Europe. The church had a
vested interest in maintaining its position as the only officially sanctioned Christian sect
ofthe Roman Empire. Many times the church had to rely on the support ofthe Roman
government to achieve this objective.
The purpose ofthis study is to answer how the church was able to respond to perceived
threats to its position as the dominate christian sect ofEurope.
Procedure:
To determine how the Church responded to perceived threats, many ancient sources were
studies, and works by modem historians and archaeologists were read. Many surviving
sermons, letters and treatises written by bishops from Late Antiquity were studied
primarily to determine how perceived threats to the power ofthe church were dealt with.
It was also important to discuss the larger social and economic context in which these
works were written to better understand the relationship the church had with its non­
orthodox and non-roman neighbors.
Findings:
The response the church had to perceived threats differed from region to region.
Depending on the severity ofthe circumstances of the nature ofthe threat, the church
protected itself by identifying opposing christian sects as heretics and anathematizing
their beliefs, or by relying on the use offorce from the Roman government to actively
suppress heresies. The means in which heresies were suppressed could be from
confiscation of their chUrches and wealth, forbidding them from serving in the
government or military, banning them from meeting within towns and cities, or in
extreme cases executing them.
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Conclusion:
The church identified pagans, barbarians, and heretics as the main threats to its power in
Late Antiquity. The policies that were implemented by the government on behalf ofthe
church, and the various ecclesiastical council convened, were meant to protect the
orthodox Catholic Church as the officially sanctioned religion of the Roman Empire. The
imperial edicts that were issued, and the literature written by bishops, largely succeeded
in defending the Catholic Church from perceived threats.
Date:~
MA Program: History
Sonoma State University
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Acknowledgments
I would like to thank the following people for their support, dedication, and
encouragement during the research and writing process ofthis thesis. Professor Judith
Abbott, chair ofthe thesis committee, for her support in guiding me through the complicated
maze ofLate Antiquity, and for the many hours spent in revising, critiquing, and editing the
many versions ofthis thesis. Professor William Poe, thesis committee member, for the helpful
commentary he provided on Christianity in the ancient world which greatly expanded my
knowledge ofhow Christianity worked. Professor Mary Halavais, thesis
committee member, who has made me a better student ofhistory through her helpful
commentary on my thesis. Finally, professor Michelle Jolly, for helping me organize and
formulate my thesis proposal into its fmal form.
I have been fascinated with the subject ofRoman history since I was eleven years old. It
all started when I stumbled upon a book my father owns called The Ruins ofPompeii. I was
enthralled by the amazing pictures ofan ancient Roman city. My interest in the subject
continued through my undergraduate years ofcollege. I decided that I wanted to pursue a
career teaching the subject I love so much. That desire brought me to Sonoma State University.
While attending Sonoma State, I discovered the writings of Salvian of Marseille. His writing
inspired me to renew my interest in Roman history and to explore the world ofLate Antiquity in
greater detail. Much to my delight, I discovered a world offamous individuals, wonderful
literature, and vibrant cultures. I used to think ofthe world of late antiquity as a wasteland, the
beginning ofa dark age in Europe in which all literature, history and civilization had stopped.
After studying Late Antiquity, I know that is not the case. It was a world of great change, great
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debates, and powerful men and women.
The focus ofthis project has changed several times since it began. I had originally
planned to focus my thesis project on how resources were used by the church to give to the
poor, but I couldn't fmd enough evidence. Professor Jolly pointed out a more challenging
direction, which was to explore how the church used charity as a means of protecting the
church. This led me to study how the church sought to protect itself from outsiders.
Professor Abbot has been my greatest influence into how I study and research history. I
took three classes ofher during my time at Sonoma State. She has given me a model of
studying history that I have incorporated into my own research. She directed me to some ofthe
most helpful and favorite secondary sources I've read, mainly Peter Brown's The Rise of
Western Christendom.
As a result ofthis thesis project I have become more interested in the economic and
social history ofthe later Roman Empire. As I have become more acquainted with the
Theodosian Codes, which shed light into the social and economic context offourth and fifth
century Europe, I have become fascinated with the economic and social undercurrents that
drove the changes that defmed Late Antiquity. What I have found so wonderful about history is
there there is never a shortage ofquestions to be asked, and a never ending sense ofcuriosity
within me to find the answers. I know that when I fmish my time at Sonoma State, this curiosity
will spark a lifetime of learning.
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Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
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Introduction.....................................................................................1

Chapters

1. Charity and Change .........................................................5

2. Barbarians '" ...................................................................30

3. Heretics ..........................................................................51

4. Methods ofCharity. .........................................................75

5. Conclusion.......................................................................92

Bibliography ..................................................................................97

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1
Introduction
The history ofLate Antiquity consists ofa dazzling array ofbattles, martyrs,
Kings, Emperors, armies, and religions. This is the age ofAlaric, Attila, Leo the Great,
Flavius Aetius, Theodosius, Constantine and Stilicho. This was the age ofthe great
migrations where the Visigoths, the Vandals, Huns, and many others entered the Roman
Empire. The Romans were in a constant struggle with their barbarian neighbors to try
either to keep them outside ofthe empire or when they couldn't, keep them contained
within it. Warfare and violence were constant threats to the stability ofRoman order.
Religious controversies spread all over the Roman world. Religious leaders sought to find
common ground among the different beliefs or violently opposed compromise. Violent
opposition, however, always prevented reasonable compromise. Bishops and generals
grew powerful, emperors less powerful. Peasants rebelled and barbarians plundered.
The Roman world was slow to adapt to the changing realities ofa post classical world.
This thesis shows how the Roman world dealt with these changing realities. The research
has led me to the following theory: the Church responded to these perceived threats by
trying to extirpate opposing religions and sects of Christianity, by marginalizing
barbarians, and by mitigating and condemning apostasy. Overtime, the church had to
make its enemies known in order to fight them: they were barbarians, heretics, and non­
Christians.
Romans were forced to grapple with this difficult question, what to do about
foreign peoples immigrating into Roman territory? Long before the reign ofConstantine
I, it was decided that Rome's armies would go no farther than the Rhine and Danube
Rivers. But the power ofthe Roman Empire extended far beyond its borders. The
relationship between the Roman Empire and its Germanic neighbors went from one of
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open hostility to peaceful coexistence (with episodes ofwarfare) as trade brought Roman
and Germanic peoples into a mutually beneficial relationship. However during the fourth
and fifth centuries, when the peaceful coexistence between Romans and Germanic
peoples broke down and many tribes invaded the Empire, emperors thought they had
found an acceptable solution; they allowed some of these tribes to settle in certain areas
and become federated allies. The Roman military employed many barbarians to serve as
mercenaries within the Roman army. Despite this apparent solution, the plan didn't work
welL Barbarians :frequently rebelled against the Romans. One major problem was the
barbarians were always considered outsiders. They didn't share the same culture,
language, or religious beliefs as many Romans did. Romans were acutely aware ofthese
distinctions and viewed the barbarians with a great deal ofwariness. This was true for
many Christian bishops, who thought ofbarbarians as a real threat to the church.
Eventually, the question was answered by the barbarians themselves, who whether by
force or by default established their own kingdoms in Roman territory.
Before the end ofthe Christian persecutions, bishops were already asking the
question, what type ofChristianity should everyone follow and why? Bishops attempted
to define what acceptable belief was through the use ofcouncils. Despite the decisions
that were made, many refused to obey. But as far as the Roman Empire was concerned;
it had answered the question as to what type ofChristianity was acceptable. Therefore,
those who disbelieved in the acceptable fonn of Christianity were labeled heretics. All
heretics became targets for the emerging universal (Catholic) Church, because their
continued existence was a threat to their power. Even though the church enjoyed
imperial support, it still worked to extirpate opposing sects. Opposing sects of
Christianity didn't consider themselves heretical at all and in fact directed much criticism