Middle Ages Exam 1 Primary Sources

Letters of Pliny and Trajan

Senator to Emperor asking for guidance on how to/to what extent should christians be punished/persecuted…shows how it is not merely their existence but rather their attempt to spread and stubborn nature was what was seen as dangerous

Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicity

A noblewoman and her slave are imprisoned for their Christian beliefs and refusal to denounce the Christian God, despite pleas from their parents/family. The noblewoman experiences visions of her brother Dinocrates entering a happy place, a vision from God. 

The Acts of Paul and Thecla

Written in the style of romantic fiction, an apostle catches the attention of a young woman, who leaves her family and fiancee in order to follow the word of God. After being saved from death, she goes out to preach the wor

Letters of St. Ambrose of Milan

Letters from a bishop to the Emperor discussing punishment and repentance following the burning of a synagogue. It shows the ever growing power of Christian leaders over secular rulers

Life of Antony

The life of an eremitic ascetic from Egypt. Tells how after living a “sinful” life, he heard scripture, sold his belongings, left his sister as a convent, and tried to live a monastic, limited life. He ate little, slept little, and interacted with few. He battled demons and then went to help those sent to be martyred. He could not be martyred as he wanted to be so badly, therefore became a “martyr” to his conscience.

Rule of St. Benedict

Describes the restrictions and procedures for 6th century monks, including meals, sleeping arrangements, and most importantly, surrendering all earthly goods. However, it also shows the “cushy” life of monks, which included slaves, meals, etc. that varied greatly and even criticized Antony and other ascetics.  

Procopius’ “The Secret History” 

A tell-all regarding Emperor Justinian and his wife Theodora, written by one of his close advisors. Ity criticizes Justinian’s lack of caring for the nation, entirely middle of the road looks, and calls his wife a slut/whore in nearly every way possible, while still giving her credit for somehow maintaining the imperial throne

Jordanes’ Getica

Written by a Romanized Goth, it details the history of the Goths, from their united state through the Ostrogothic split and control of Italy, before ending in a celebratory tone of Justinian’s conquering of the Ostrogoths, taking back Rome, Sicily, etc.

Beowulf

An old English poem which details Danish kings, their ancestry, and the aid of the titular character in fighting a demon plaguing a fellow kingdom. It showcases the mixing of pagan and christian beliefs as christianity began to spread north.

Bede: Ecclesiastical History of the English People

A history of the Anglo-Saxon world, focusing on the christian expansion facilitated through Bishop Augustine of Canterbury and King Ethelbert of Kent. There is also special focus on the argument over the date of easter, which called into question how true of a christian are you if you don’t follow the vatican and other elders exactly

Gregory of Tours: The History of the Franks

tells the story Frankish expansion, particularly the extensive murder and christian expansion that led to the establishment of a more “unified” Frankish kingdom under King Clovis

Ibn Ishaq Life of Muhammad

In a biography of the famous prophet, two stories tell first of his miraculous journey to Jeruslamen and trip to heaven,. meeting God, Abraham, Moses, etc., as well as the massacre of the Banu Qurayza.

Pact of Umar

A list of rules for how christians should live under Islamic rule. This includes limiting celebrations and worships, not teaching their children the Qu’ran, not spreading their own religion, and being respectful of Muslim members of society. Is shows the limited tolerance that Christians experienced, but also the “purity” the Islamic faith desired, not seeking converts among the Christian subjects

Apology of Patriarch Timothy of Baghdad before the Caliph Mahdi

A Christian leader of the church meets with an Islamic leader in order to discuss the differences between Islam and Christianity. Particularly, they discuss the trinity and whether or not belief in it indicated polytheism. They conclude that in the end, their religions can coexist as the Qu’ran is scripture, considering Muhammad followed the path of the profits, and therefore have close enough beliefs that they should not argue.