Gregory of Tours
History and Society in the Sixth Century

A new interpretation of the Ten Books of History of Gregory of Tours (538–594), first published in 2001.

Martin Heinzelmann (Author), Christopher Carroll (Translated by)

9780521631747, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 5 July 2001

248 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.7 cm, 0.54 kg

"Heinzelmann's book is a good companion to Gregory's work in that it provides a comprehensive interpretation of Gregory's concept of history." Comitatus

For over 1400 years the Histories of Gregory of Tours (538–594) - the principal work of Merovingian history - have been understood as a 'history of the Franks' and as an objective portrayal of history, albeit told by a naive narrator succeeding only in chronological organization. A new interpretation of the Histories is put forward in this 2001 book, in which the bishop of Tours can be seen to be giving each of his 'Ten Books' a self-contained topic, and also making use of the patristic method of typological biblical exegesis. By appreciating these elements, we can see clear connections between apparently unconnected, adjacent chapters, and to make out their real function. Gregory's historiographical interests can be seen as focusing on the development of a socio-political concept of society, which wishes to see the leadership of the Christian state entrusted to the joint government of bishops and king (christianus princeps).

List of figures
Preface
List of abbreviations
Introduction: the state of research into Gregory of Tours in 1992
1. Gregory of Tours and his family
2. The function of autobiographical elements in Gregory's concept of contemporary history (books v-x)
the relationship of 'bishop' and 'king'
autobiography and the writing of history
the concept of history
3. Ten Books of History: genre, structure and plan
4. Gregory's ecclesia Dei: the eschatological church and the concept of history
Conclusion
Postscript
Bibliography
Index of references to Gregory's works
Index of names.

Subject Areas: History of ideas [JFCX], History of religion [HRAX], Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], European history [HBJD]