Sacred Violence
African Christians and Sectarian Hatred in the Age of Augustine
£37.99
- Author: Brent D. Shaw, Princeton University, New Jersey
- Date Published: September 2011
- availability: Available
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9780521127257
£
37.99
Paperback
Other available formats:
Hardback, eBook
Looking for an inspection copy?
This title is not currently available on inspection
-
One route to understanding the nature of specifically religious violence is the study of past conflicts. Distinguished ancient historian Brent D. Shaw provides a new analysis of the intense sectarian battles between the Catholic and Donatist churches of North Africa in late antiquity, in which Augustine played a central role as Bishop of Hippo. The development and deployment of images of hatred, including that of the heretic, the pagan, and the Jew, and the modes by which these were most effectively employed, including the oral world of the sermon, were critical to promoting acts of violence. Shaw explores how the emerging ecclesiastical structures of the Christian church, on one side, and those of the Roman imperial state, on the other, interacted to repress or excite violent action. Finally, the meaning and construction of the acts themselves, including the Western idea of suicide, are shown to emerge from the conflict itself.
Read more- Extensive in-depth coverage of a single historical example enables readers to locate the connections between the formation of beliefs, martyrdom, communications, and formal political structures within just one volume
- Provides primary evidence, including both translations and original texts of a wide range of relevant documentation, which is otherwise difficult to access
- Presents variant approaches to the problem, looking at how martyrdom, Christian preaching, the construction of heresy and the nature of the late Roman state all relate to sectarian violence
Reviews & endorsements
'Shaw draws upon a knowledge and expertise in African History, secular as well as sacred, which is hard to match among his contemporaries, and certainly unequalled among those who are writing in English. His handling of the 'revolts' of Firmus, Gildo and Heraclian is as assured and authoritative as his treatment of the Circumcellions, which is, quite simply, the best available in any language.' Peter Garnsey, Professor of the History of Classical Antiquity, University of Cambridge
See more reviews'… a truly noble work that represents a very modern collection of insights into late antique North Africa and African Christianity … the book summarises the many theories about North African Christianity and Donatism to emerge over recent decades but then also asserts a rather coherent set of insights by Shaw that will undoubtedly shape research for some time to come. In the expanding library of works on ancient North African Christianity Brent Shaw's book will be a must-have amidst the ranks of WHC Frend, Serge Lancel, and Maureen Tilley … an indispensable addition to the growing sources available for fans of late antique research. Brent Shaw has set a new standard for efforts into the field of North African Christianity and Donatism and this book is indeed a very valuable new volume in an expanding area of interest … I endorse the work vividly.' Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses
'Brent Shaw's study offers a compelling and meticulous history of violence for late Roman North Africa, with a focus on the 'sanctified violence' of the fourth and fifth centuries. Sacred Violence is an enormous, humane work of monumental importance for which Shaw should rightly receive many accolades. It is written with a verve and alacrity which given its length, is a remarkable achievement.' Nicholas J. Baker-Brian, The Journal of Roman Studies
Customer reviews
Review was not posted due to profanity
×Product details
- Date Published: September 2011
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9780521127257
- length: 930 pages
- dimensions: 227 x 151 x 40 mm
- weight: 1.44kg
- availability: Available
Table of Contents
1. This terrible custom
2. Church of the traitors
3. Poisonous brood of vipers
4. Archives of memory
5. City of denial
6. Ravens feeding on death
7. Little foxes, evil women
8. Guardians of the people
9. In the house of discipline
10. Sing a new song
11. Kings of our age
12. We choose to stand
13. Athletes of death
14. Bad boys
15. Men of blood
16. Divine winds
Appendix A. Bishops and bishoprics in Africa: the numbers
Appendix B. Origins of the division: chronology
Appendix C. The Catholic conference of 348
Appendix D. The peasant jacquerie of Axido and Fasir
Appendix E. The mission of Paul and Macarius
Appendix F. Historical fictions: interpreting the circumcellions
Appendix G. The archaeology of suicide
Appendix H. African sermons.
Related Books
related journals
Sorry, this resource is locked
Please register or sign in to request access. If you are having problems accessing these resources please email lecturers@cambridge.org
Register Sign in» Proceed
You are now leaving the Cambridge University Press website. Your eBook purchase and download will be completed by our partner www.ebooks.com. Please see the permission section of the www.ebooks.com catalogue page for details of the print & copy limits on our eBooks.
Continue ×Are you sure you want to delete your account?
This cannot be undone.
Thank you for your feedback which will help us improve our service.
If you requested a response, we will make sure to get back to you shortly.
×