Vox populi: Popular opinion and violence in the religious controversies of the fifth century A.D
Year: 1979
Type: article
Abstract: in such an undertaking is that the sources simply tell so little about the majority of mankind, at least in the premodern period.In the absence of quantitative material, the historian has to look for "the people" in the ordinary historical documents: narrative histories, letters, sermons, and the minutes of councils.By far the most common reference to "the people" in these sources concerns riots and other disturbances.This is the main reason for the focus on such phenomena in this book: they are some of the few events we know anything about.This should not suggest that I am interested in violence for its own sake or that I believe that the early Byzantine period was more violent than any other.It is simply a useful historical approach to the people I wish to study.This book could not have been written without the advice, assistance, and personal inspiration of Professor Paul J. Alexander.In addition, I received valuable help from professors John W. Eadie, Ramsay MacMullen, and others.Obviously, I, not they, am responsible for any errors in the material.Membership in the American School of Classical Studies in Athens has allowed me to spend a considerable time in Greece, an experience I consider essential in any attempt to understand the Greek people in their historical context.Finally, I must thank my wife, Gail, for encouragement, patience,
Author: Timothy E. Gregory
Language: English
Subfield: Classics
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2001787227