Book Review: Caesarius of Arles: the Making of a Christian Community in Late Antique Gaul
Richard Lim
Reviewed by: Caesarius of Arles: the Making a Christian Community in Late Antique Gaul Richard Lim William E. Klingshirn. Gaul. Cambridge Studies Medieval Life and Thought, Fourth Series, 22. Cambridge: University Press, 1994. Pp. xix + 317. $59.95. In this original important work, based on author’s Stanford dissertation, reader gets two books for price one. The first full treatment career (bishop 502–542) to appear long time, it reaches beyond conventional scope historical biographies by posing real ponderous questions about nature christianization Provence. Historical source are meticulously dealt with introduction. Chapter 1, an examination Caesarius’ training at monastic center Lérins that draws heavily from his vita, is followed survey Arles (Roman Arelate) end fifth century, tale expertly put together current archaeological work. 3 brings strands arrival installation Arles. Chapters 4–5 examine as bishop under Visigothic and, after 508, Ostrogothic suzerainty. Christianization—its definition, means limitations—is subject 6–8 (of which more later). Two final chapters focus impact Frankish power posthumous influences later Merovingian Carolingian church. Caesarius, who received formative prior arriving ca. 495, belongs well-known type monk-bishop. Soon episcopal commenced 502, see came Visigoths, thereby leaving Roman political orbit, never return. bishop, Gallo-Roman aristocrat origin, had therefore position himself carefully fashion public role negotiation Visigothic, Burgundian, rulers well An indomitable ecclesiastical politician set great store own claims pre-eminence Provence greater Gallic church, fortunes shifted winds. Klingshirn’s description bishop’s difficulties setbacks, domestic foreign, underscores very precariousness authority challenges our view him bastion orthodoxy christianized gaining complexity, (and man) ceases be mere icon becomes interesting bargain. [End Page 574] As study sermons sets out exciting fruitful model analyzing dynamics christianization. I here thesis Christianity was foreign import region, enables author discuss terms other scholars have applied colonial Africa (R. Horton) New World (S. MacCormack, R. Trexler). outsider, monk Lérin, indeed brought notions right belief, worship vita perfecta. Instead accepting views representative Arlesian Christianity, reads intricate dialogue exhibits not only priorities concerns preacher but also those local Christians. Underscoring themes acceptance, assimilation, resistance transformation message “native” population, highlights “the communal efforts evoked, persistence traditional practice, community’s self-christianization” (2–3). “alien” promoted thus portrayed existing marked tension “community religion” generally, particular (chapter 7). Opposition comprised rich landowners resented attempts diminishing their expressions patronage, suffragan bishops feared metropolitan’s pastoral reforms encroachment authority, self-described Christians retained belief-systems practiced rituals success, particularly countryside, identified pagan or superstitious. All told, makes strong case seeing these alternative “christianities” just valid the...
Journal of Early Christian Studies