The Barbarian Plain: Saint Sergius between Rome and Iran
Lynda L. Coon|Elizabeth Key Fowden
During the fifth and sixth centuries A.D. there arose on Euphrates frontier, between empires of Rome Iran, a city girded with glittering gypsum walls. Within these walls stood great church, shrine for relics Saint Sergius, who was martyred there, at Rusafa, in early fourth century. Around Rusafa stretched 'Barbarian Plain,' inhabited by Rome's Arab allies, many whom revered saint. Elizabeth Key Fowden examines rise cult Sergius late antiquity, drawing literary accounts, inscriptions, archaeology, images, landscape itself to construct many-faceted picture role religion this frontier society. Focusing socio-cultural as well political dimensions cult, her study sheds light lives ordinary faithful, religion's place strategic calculations hostile empires. Beginning detailed analysis surviving accounts martyrdom provides discussion Syrian Rusafa-Sergiopolis, traces spread Syria Mesopotamia, provocative interpretation relation saint's presence his defense. She also discusses Christianity context Roman culture East, continuation tradition after Muslim conquest, emphasizing changes continuities brought Islam.
The American Historical Review