Torn letters in historical accounts of the late Roman Empire

What is it about?

The chapter analyses the earliest accounts by Lactantius and Eusebius of Cæsarea, It shows the polemic characterisation of imperial authority in the hagiographic and historiographic narratives, relating them to book-burning in Classical literature. Current approaches to Roman Law, concepts of language and the materiality of writing are at stake here. Fourth- and fifth-century Christian and Rabbinic references to a paradigmatic deadly incident for disrespect to authoritative writing or flouting of orders of book destruction are analysed, focusing on a homily by Theodotus of Ancyra. The plausibility and veracity of the narratives is discussed, casting doubts on the living memory of the enforcement of anti-Manichaean measures and the First Persecution Edict.

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Why is it important?

Coercion and punitive measures are shown to cause lingering cultural traumas which can be used to provoke rebellion or promote compliance.