The Vitas Patrum Emeritensium is an early medieval Latin hagiographical work written by an otherwise unknown Paul, a deacon of Mérida. The work narrates the lives of the five bishops who held the see of Mérida in the second half of the 6th-century and the first half of the 7th-century: Paul, Fidelis, Masona, Innocentius and Renovatius, with particular space being given to the life of Masona.[1]

Date of composition

The date of composition is debated, but is generally thought to have been made in the 7th-century, with the preface and the first three chapters added on in later centuries.[2][3] However, some scholars argue that the work could have been written as late as the 9th-century.[1] First printed in 1633 in Madrid, only half a dozen manuscripts plus some fragments survive.[1]
Javier Arce states that it was written during the episcopate of Stephen (633-638) and finally compiled and corrected during the episcopate of Festus (672-680). In his opinion, the work was written by an anonymous deacon of Merida, while deacon Paulus was responsible for the final compilation.[4]

Historical significance

The Vitas Patrum Emeritensium is a major source for the study of the Visigothic Kingdom of Toledo. It contains many indications about common life in Hispania in the VI and VII centuries: nourishment, education, clothing… It’s also important for our knowledge about the organisation of Catholic and Arian Churches and the path that led to the conversion of the Visigothic people to Catholicism.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Francis Clark, The Pseudo-Gregorian Dialogues, Brill, 1997, pp. 131-135
  2. ↑ Vitas sanctorum patrum Emeretensium. Paul, of Mérida, deacon of Mérida, active 7th century., Maya Sánchez, A. Turnholti [Turnhout, Belgium]: Brepols. 1992. ISBN 2503011616. OCLC 26115418.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  3. ↑ Kulikowski, Michael (2004-08-30). Late Roman Spain and Its Cities. JHU Press. p. 389. ISBN 9780801879784.
  4. ↑ Esperando a los árabes. Marcial Pons p. 203. 2013.
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