Valerius of Bierzo as an interpreter of the seventh-century ecclesiastical environment of northwestern Iberia

Bibliographic Data

ID12921920
AuthorsLilian R G Diniz (Freie Universität Berlin, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume13
Issue2
Pages145-163
Publication date2021-05-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Medieval Iberian Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1754-6559 • E-ISSN: 1754-6567
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/17546559.2021.1930098
OpenAlexW3170352240
LanguageEN
References cited21

Valerius of Bierzo, a hermit who lived in northern Iberia in the last years of the Visigothic Kingdom of Toledo (568–711), is considered an eccentric character by many scholars. Valerius left a rich, although not long, literary production that is surprising for its originality, equal only to its relative obscurity outside of the Iberian world. Among other things, he wrote a treatise about the “degenerate” monasticism practiced in his region and three short pieces known as his autobiographical works in which he describes his vicissitudes on the path towards an ascetic way of life. Incidentally addressing numerous topics of society, culture, power, and of course, religion, Valerius offers a precious source of information regarding early medieval society in Galicia. This article analyses his comments and impressions based on his personal opinion about the clergy and monastic life in his region. In doing so, it unveils his character and situates his behaviour – and apparent eccentricity – as reflections of his personal life choices and the religious and political impositions to which he was subjected

Ancient history · Archaeology · Interpreter · Linguistics · Programming language · Byzantine Studies and History · Classical Studies and Legal History · Classics · Computer Science · History · Medieval Literature and History · Philosophy

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