Reconfiguring Civic Identity and Civic Participation in a Christianising World: The Case of Sixth-Century Arles

Abstract

The chapter studies the impact of the transition from the Roman Empire to the new political structures of the early medieval West on the meaning and application of the concepts of civic identity and civic participation. To this end the episcopal sermons of Caesarius of Arles (502-542) are examined and their use of civic vocabulary is analysed. The continuous use of Latin civic vocabulary (a.o. civis, civitas, patria, conversatio) by post-Roman authors is marked by semantic change, especially in the work of Christian authors. In Caesarius’ sermons the identity of Christian Arles is expressed in ancient civic terms filled with new, Christian content. Caesarius’ sermons also define the Christian way of life, emphasizing the need to participate in the religious cult and shaping new forms of civic participation adapted to Christian values.