Political-territorial disputes between the Nicene and Priscillian episcopates in Hispania from 370 to 447 CE.

• Grant number: 23/16929-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: June 01, 2024
• End date: May 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - History - Ancient and Medieval History
• Principal Investigator: Andrea Lúcia Dorini de Oliveira Carvalho Rossi
• Grantee: Ana Carolina Picoli Sotocorno
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Humanas e Sociais (FCHS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Franca. Franca , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/08697-8 - Political-territorial disputes between the Nicene and Priscilianist episcopates in Hispania from 370 to 447 AD., BE.EP.DR

Abstract

The 4th and 5th centuries of the Common Era can be understood in light of their political and cultural diversities. Within the realm of the Christian religion, this period was marked by the existence of controversies and theological schisms involving various dissident branches of Christian creeds. We insert into this scenario the disputes between the Nicene episcopate and the Priscillianist episcopate. This research aims to analyze the territorial dispute present in the Nicene-Priscillianist conflict through various textual documents: letters, chronicles, consultatio, legislative material, and selected theological treatises. Our hypothesis is that the followers of Bishop Priscillian of Avila represented a threat to the territorial control and political and religious authority of the Nicene ecclesia in Hispania. We believe that the Priscillianists could compete for places of worship, resources, and influence, as well as articulate speeches contrary to Nicene discipline.