The Church and the Barbarians

I. St. Augustine (354-430)

A. Conversion to Christianity1. Confessions

B. Decline of Rome1. City of God

II. Europe after Rome

--Roman aristocrats did not stop ruling Rome, they changed the definition of the state, and what ruling was for.

A. Barbarians destroy Roman political state1. Sack of Rome 4102. Emperor deposed 4763. Rise of Franks under Clovis (r. 485-511)

a. German Constantine

II. Europe after Rome

B. Bishops and Cities1. Cities continue as seats of bishops2. Bishops organize civic life and salvation 3. Bishops are rulers from the ruling class

a. In Gaul, often hereditary

II. Monastic Movement

A. St. Anthony (d. 356)

B. Attracts elite Romans

C. Rule of St. Benedict (480-543)1. Obedience and Humility2. Discipline of prayer and work3. Leadership of abbot

II. Monastic Movement

D. Purpose is intercession for the faithful1. Professional help2. Ideals of honor / ideals of holiness3. Aid of ancestors / saints

E. Lordly patronage of monasteries1. Penance2. Seeking divine patronage

IV. Gregory the Great (r. 590-604)

A. Another Roman aristocrat

B. Scholar and writer

C. Applies idealism of Benedict to whole church1. Regula Pastoralis2. Idea of clergy as pastors3. Disciplined study, prayer, worship4. Standard for singing “Gregorian chant”5. Priesthood for the City of God

Musical Examples

1. Athenaios, First Delphic Hymn (Delphi, 128 BCE)

2. Christian Hymn of Oxyrhynchus (Egypt, late 3rd century)

3. Kyrie (Gregorian Chant). [c. 600-900]

(Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy . .)