Open AccessA Few Remarks on the Ransom Paid for Releasing Captives in Selected Early Byzantine Hagiographic Texts
Author(s) -
Ireneusz Milewski
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
studia ceranea
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.149
H-Index - 1
eISSN - 2449-8378
pISSN - 2084-140X
DOI - 10.18778/2084-140x.07.10
Subject(s) - byzantine architecture , barbarian , ransom , state (computer science) , history , ancient history , classics , archaeology , computer science , algorithm
The article analyzes certain early Byzantine hagiographic texts concerning various forms of brigandage (both maritime and land-based). Two such accounts are studied in detail, one by Gerontius of Jerusalem and another by Theodoret of Cyrus. The instances described unveil the weakness of Roman state structures at the borders of the state as well as in lands harassed by barbarian raids, including piracy. Despite certain flaws (mostly the lack of precision), the accounts under discussion constitute valuable and reliable sources of historical knowledge.