Description
Book SynopsisEulogius (d. 859), a priest living under Islamic rule in Córdoba, is our principal source for the so-called “Córdoban martyrs’ movement” (850-859), in the course of which forty-eight Christians were decapitated for religious offenses against Islam. The majority of the victims were condemned for blasphemy, having deliberately flouted proscriptions against public expressions of disrespect for Muhammad. Interestingly enough, the Córdoban Christian community was not of one mind when it came to interpreting such provocative acts. While some were inclined to embrace the executed Christians as martyrs of the classic Roman type, others criticized them as self-immolators whose unprovoked outbursts only complicated the working relationship between the Christian community and the Muslim authorities. The writings of Eulogius, which were designed to record the deaths and present them as legitimate martyrdoms, allow both for the reconstruction of Christian life under Muslim rule and an appreciation for the range of Christian attitudes toward Islam in ninth-century al-Spain. They also capture Eulogius’ self-conscious effort to construct a saint cult despite the absence of wide support for the “martyrs.” This is the first complete rendering of Eulogius' writings into English, and will be a valuable resource for historians and theologians alike.
Trade Review'[The Eulogius Corpus] offers the first English translation as an indispensable tool for early medieval studies and in general to the understanding of the Christian-Islamic confrontation in the alphabet.'
Eugippius
Translated from Italian,
'Se ne offre qui la prima traduzione inglese come strumento indispensabile agli studi storici alto medievali e in generale alla comprensione del confronto cristiani-islamici nell’al-Andalus omayyade del IX secolo.'
'The introduction… will no doubt become an essential starting point for those wishing to orientate themselves to the martyrs and their apologists.’
Jamie Wood,
Early Medieval Europe'
The Eulogius Corpus is an indispensable resource for English speakers studying the Cordoban martyrs and medieval Christian-Muslim relations. It will also be important for scholars working in other languages given Wolf’s careful documentation of secondary literature devoted to the martyrs. The footnotes that accompany Wolf’s translation, the comprehensive bibliography, and his illuminating introductory comments are invaluable.'
Charles Tieszen,
SpeculumTable of ContentsGlossary
Introduction:
The Christian Community of Córdoba
The “Martyrs of Córdoba”
Eulogius of Córdoba
Eulogius and His Martyrs
Eulogius and His Christian Opponents
The Absence of Miracles
The Absence of Persecution
The Absence of Pagans
Turning the Tables
Conclusion
Text and Translation:
Paul Alvarus,
Vita EulogiiEulogius,
Memoriale sanctorumEulogius,
Documentum martyrialeEulogius,
Liber apologeticus martyrumEulogius,
LettersAppendix
Select Bibliography
Index
