Salvian and the Corrupted Church of Southern Gaul
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Maik Patzelt
Abstract
By focusing on the social, economic and legal bonds and dependencies that evolve from the transfer of testaments, this chapter seeks to provide a new reading of Salvian’s concept of avarice as outlined in his treatise Ad ecclesiam, also known as Contra avaritiam. This chapter argues that Salvian’s notion of avarice not only seeks to secure church finances and thus the care for the poor; it also pressures those who keep their riches to themselves (or pass them to their family by means of testaments), instead of bequeathing the local church. Examined through the lens of dependencies that are nurtured by testamentary practice, it becomes apparent that such a notion of avarice also serves as an attempt to support the local episcopal authority, as this authority emanates from the various dependencies that the transfer of testaments both supports and fosters.
Abstract
By focusing on the social, economic and legal bonds and dependencies that evolve from the transfer of testaments, this chapter seeks to provide a new reading of Salvian’s concept of avarice as outlined in his treatise Ad ecclesiam, also known as Contra avaritiam. This chapter argues that Salvian’s notion of avarice not only seeks to secure church finances and thus the care for the poor; it also pressures those who keep their riches to themselves (or pass them to their family by means of testaments), instead of bequeathing the local church. Examined through the lens of dependencies that are nurtured by testamentary practice, it becomes apparent that such a notion of avarice also serves as an attempt to support the local episcopal authority, as this authority emanates from the various dependencies that the transfer of testaments both supports and fosters.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Preface VII
-
Part 1: The Discourse(s) of and on Corruption
- Twisted Transfers as Corruption 1
- The Corrupted Speak 47
- Civil War and the Corruption of liberalitas in Tacitus’ Histories 65
- Irreversible Corruption 83
-
Part 2: Corruption in Social Practice and Daily Life
- Creating Evidence for Corruption 111
- Corruption in Greco-Roman Egypt 129
- Ideas of Corruption in Roman Imperial Ports 145
- Suspect Inheritances 167
- Salvian and the Corrupted Church of Southern Gaul 199
-
Part 3: The Politics and Diplomacy of Corruption
- Corruption and Anti-Corruption 223
- Beyond Crime 257
- Usurpation of (and Corruption Involving) the Right of Roman Citizenship in the Republic 287
- Balkan Promises 307
- Index 335
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Preface VII
-
Part 1: The Discourse(s) of and on Corruption
- Twisted Transfers as Corruption 1
- The Corrupted Speak 47
- Civil War and the Corruption of liberalitas in Tacitus’ Histories 65
- Irreversible Corruption 83
-
Part 2: Corruption in Social Practice and Daily Life
- Creating Evidence for Corruption 111
- Corruption in Greco-Roman Egypt 129
- Ideas of Corruption in Roman Imperial Ports 145
- Suspect Inheritances 167
- Salvian and the Corrupted Church of Southern Gaul 199
-
Part 3: The Politics and Diplomacy of Corruption
- Corruption and Anti-Corruption 223
- Beyond Crime 257
- Usurpation of (and Corruption Involving) the Right of Roman Citizenship in the Republic 287
- Balkan Promises 307
- Index 335
