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Moving Late Antique and Early Medieval Penance (c. 550–800) into the Purview of Slavery and Dependency Studies.

Moving Late Antique and Early Medieval Penance (c. 550–800) into the Purview of Slavery and Dependency Studies.

Authors :
Winnebeck, Julia
Source :
Journal of Global Slavery. 2024, Vol. 9 Issue 1/2, p129-165. 37p.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

This article reconsiders the evidence provided by the late antique and early medieval penitentials (c. 550–800) for the study of slavery and other dependency relations. The main body of the article identifies and describes three sets of social practices of penance, which can be perceived as actions that contributed to the emergence, perpetuation, or stabilization of dependency relations: the social exclusion and othering of penitents, the assignment of penal measures, and the varying treatment of penitents according to their gender and social status. These social practices are then linked to contemporary theological and socio-legal frameworks that likely informed the practice of penance in Merovingian Gaul. The survey shows that the handbooks of penance provide important material for the study of dependency relations and that the ecclesiastical ritual of penance should be considered as a context in which these relations emerged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
24058351
Volume :
9
Issue :
1/2
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Journal of Global Slavery
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
177041130
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1163/2405836X-00901011