Early Christian Hagiography and Roman History

Timothy D. Barnes combines the techniques of critical hagiography and modern historical research to reach important and original results for the history of Christianity in the Roman Empire. He first proves that the Apostle Paul was burned alive, not crucified as legend asserts, and that he was probably executed in Spain. Next, he shows that the Christian church achieved full legal recognition from the Roman state in 260, not half a century later, as has usually been assumed. An investigation of the authentic records of early Christian martyrdoms leads into an illustration of how the Life of Antony launched an enduring tradition of hagiographical fiction. Finally, Barnes analyzes the development of critical hagiography, applies the modern historical technique of prosopography to a range of problems posed by hagiographical texts, and illustrates the enduring value (and necessity) of critical hagiography.