Caesarius of Arles
The Making of a Christian Community in Late Antique Gaul

A study of the Christianisation of southern France through the career and writings of Bishop Caesarius of Arles.

William E. Klingshirn (Author)

9780521430951, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 18 November 1993

344 pages, 2 maps
22.4 x 14.3 x 3 cm, 0.591 kg

"In this study, William Klingshirn paints a more complete portrait of Caesarius.... ...Klinghshirn's study remains extremely valuable for the student of church history by shredding light on an individual and an era all too often overlooked." Paul W. Robinson, Concordia Theological Quarterly

This book studies the processes by which the pagan Roman empire was transformed into the Christian middle ages. Drawing on the perspectives of social history, archaeology and anthropology, it focuses on the strategies of Bishop Caesarius of Arles (AD 470–542) to promote Christian values, practices and beliefs among the pagans, Jews and Christians of southern France, and on the resistance provoked by his efforts among the population. This is the first book in English about Caesarius, and the only book to discuss southern Gaul during the sixth century. It examines afresh the crucial years of continuity, disruption, and profound change which followed the end of the Roman empire in the west, and the effects of Caesarius' programme under the later Merovingians and Carolingians.

Introduction
1. In search of the vita perfecta
2. Late Roman Arles
3. The making of a reformer
4. Visigothic Arles and its bishop
5. The Ostrogothic peace
6. Christian rhetoric and ritual action
7. Christianity as a community religion
8. The limits of Christianisation
9. The coming of the Franks
10. The legacy of Caesarius.

Subject Areas: Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], European history [HBJD]