War and Hagiography in Gaul during the second half of the 5th Century: Paris and the Vita sanctae Genovevae

Abstract

The historical sources for the 5th century, mainly Prosperus, Priscus –preserved only in fragmentary form – and Jordanes, do not answer many of the modern historian's questions. That is why in this study we intend to add some hagiographic sources to the historical analysis, with special attention to the Vita sanctae Genovevae -an anonymous biography from the beginning of the 6th century-, with the aim of achieving a more complete image of the complex events that took place in the Western part of the Roman Empire during the fifth century. These sources, often neglected, allow us to glimpse some nuances that are difficult to perceive if we do not work with all the preserved testimonies.

This century largely maintains its social and political order due to the brute force and coercion that various powers –accompanied by powerful armies– unleashed on the frightened communities. It is in this context of violence that diplomatic negotiation at the local level –urban communities– became essential. These mediation tasks with the political powers and armies –Goths, Huns, Franks, etc.– frequently fell on the increasingly influential figure of the bishop, who, as a defensor civitatis, took care of many functions neglected by the late Roman civil administration. The new model of leadership born from the high Christian hierarchies also found some female figures who, like Martin of Tours or Anianus of Orleans, would lead the resistance of the urban communities to which they belonged. This was the case of Genevieve of Paris, who, breaking with the model of traditional feminine holiness (martyr-ascetic) dealt with the negotiation with the Parisian elites, the food supply of the city during the Frank economic blockade or also the creation of religious center of vital importance for the cohesion of the new Christian community during the final crisis of the Western empire.