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Some Notes on the Donatist Schism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 March 2015

A. R. Birley
A. R. Birley*
Affiliation:
Dept of History, University of Manchester
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Abstract

Recent work on the highly significant Donatist religious schism in late Roman Africa is reviewed, supported by an Appendix tabulating a draft chronology of Donatism. Particular attention is paid to the controversy surrounding the date and origins of the schism. The ‘revolutionary fringe’ of the Donatist movement, the Circumcellions, is also discussed, with specific reference to arguments concerning the social status of this group. A third section outlines the participation of Tripolitanian bishops of both Catholic and Donatist persuasion at the great Conference of Carthage in AD 411. The social historical importance of the extensive documentation is illustrated at several points by reference to illuminating insights into life in late Roman Africa.

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Articles
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Libyan Studies , Volume 18 , 1987 , pp. 29 - 41
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Libyan Studies 1987

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