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The Duke and the Archangel: A Hypothetical Model of Early State Integration in Southern Italy through the Cult of Saints

Harrison, Dick LU (1993) In Collegium Medievale 6(1).
Abstract
The early medieval cult of saints has been the object of many illuminating studies during the past decades. However, one aspect in need of more research is the role of the cults in the building of early states in Europe, a phenomenon that is often, somewhat erroneously, referred to as the cult of national saints. The saints were powerful assets in the attempts of kings, dukes and bishops at achieving social integration. This article analyses the situation in the duchy of Benevento in southern Italy, home of the important pilgrimage site of Monte Sant'Angelo and of the relics of the church of St Sophia in Benevento. It is demonstrated how the dukes and princes of Benevento consciously used various religious elements in society in order to... (More)
The early medieval cult of saints has been the object of many illuminating studies during the past decades. However, one aspect in need of more research is the role of the cults in the building of early states in Europe, a phenomenon that is often, somewhat erroneously, referred to as the cult of national saints. The saints were powerful assets in the attempts of kings, dukes and bishops at achieving social integration. This article analyses the situation in the duchy of Benevento in southern Italy, home of the important pilgrimage site of Monte Sant'Angelo and of the relics of the church of St Sophia in Benevento. It is demonstrated how the dukes and princes of Benevento consciously used various religious elements in society in order to strengthen their own position. In the ninth century, as the local bishops grew stronger, the saints gradually became associated with them rather than with the princes. The cult of saints was an important part in the creation and manifestation of political influence. (Less)
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author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
cult of saints, Lombards, Benevento, langobarder, Arichis II, helgonkult
in
Collegium Medievale
volume
6
issue
1
publisher
Oslo : Collegium Medievale
ISSN
0801-9282
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
bcb75d01-4a7c-4ac6-8bcb-40deb5a86447 (old id 1003101)
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 09:09:44
date last changed
2018-11-21 20:51:11
@article{bcb75d01-4a7c-4ac6-8bcb-40deb5a86447,
  abstract     = {{The early medieval cult of saints has been the object of many illuminating studies during the past decades. However, one aspect in need of more research is the role of the cults in the building of early states in Europe, a phenomenon that is often, somewhat erroneously, referred to as the cult of national saints. The saints were powerful assets in the attempts of kings, dukes and bishops at achieving social integration. This article analyses the situation in the duchy of Benevento in southern Italy, home of the important pilgrimage site of Monte Sant'Angelo and of the relics of the church of St Sophia in Benevento. It is demonstrated how the dukes and princes of Benevento consciously used various religious elements in society in order to strengthen their own position. In the ninth century, as the local bishops grew stronger, the saints gradually became associated with them rather than with the princes. The cult of saints was an important part in the creation and manifestation of political influence.}},
  author       = {{Harrison, Dick}},
  issn         = {{0801-9282}},
  keywords     = {{cult of saints; Lombards; Benevento; langobarder; Arichis II; helgonkult}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  publisher    = {{Oslo : Collegium Medievale}},
  series       = {{Collegium Medievale}},
  title        = {{The Duke and the Archangel: A Hypothetical Model of Early State Integration in Southern Italy through the Cult of Saints}},
  volume       = {{6}},
  year         = {{1993}},
}