Bacaudae and circumcellions: rural revolts and the writing of history of the subaltern classes in late antiquity

Author(s)

Uiran Gebara da Silva

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH/SBD)
• Defense date: 2013-04-30

Examining board members

Norberto Luiz Guarinello; Mário Jorge da Motta Bastos; Carlos Augusto Ribeiro Machado; Julio Cesar Magalhães de Oliveira; Marcelo Candido da Silva

• Advisor: Norberto Luiz Guarinello

Abstract

This research is a comparative study between the Gaul bacaudae and the African circumcellions, two groups of rural rebels of late antiquity. Its first aim is to describe the social character of both groups, in view of the multiple accounts from the ancient sources and the divergent modern interpretations on them, which range from patronized rural mobs, fanatical Christian monks, to peasant rebellions. The historical comparison is composed by three analytical perspectives. Firstly, this research establishes a comparative comprehension of the traditionsof composition and reception of the literary texts in which the social memory of the bacaudae and circumcellions were incorporated. Secondly, it explores the hypothesis of a hegemony crisis in the late Roman countryside,basing on the practices of production and reproduction of the conditions of existence, working relationships and class experiences. Thirdly, it observes the initiatives and responses of the imperial structures in both Gaul and Africa to the actions of the insurgents. Such comparative dimension addresses the fundamental issue of imperial state action against these revolts and the role of thatstate in keeping the social order in the Roman countryside. It has as its counterpart the communal organization horizons that can be found on those revolts. Akey issue is related to the theoretical problems concerning the study and writing of the history of subaltern classes in ancient history. This research strived to work these problems not only on the theoretical level, but also from the practical historical investigation. (AU)