The Life of Hypatius by Callinicus provides a lengthy account of an ascetic’s conversion as a young man, his life and leadership in different monastic communities, his good works and miracles. This Vita is especially remarkable for its portrayal of different social groups at the monastery: people from the highest (prefects, counts, even members of the imperial family) to the lowest (peasants, slaves, beggars) levels of society intersected at Hypatius’ rural monastery near Chalcedon. This paper will examine the relationships among and depictions of these different groups, drawing attention to the ambivalence toward high social status and culture. For instance, Hypatius was a man of both the lower and upper classes: passing himself off as a slave, he hid his well-born, educated family background from his followers. As an abbot, Hypatius helped the local laity in their struggle with rural poverty. In return, the country people could be counted on to defend the monastery when necessary. Yet, Hypatius never encouraged the country people to enter the contemplative life, whereas he did recruit scholars and other, more urban, visitors. According to Callinicus, Hypatius’ followers were astonished that an unlettered man could command such authority (6.8). At the same time, the hagiographer provides the testimony of visiting scholars (scholastikoi) regarding the abbot’s considerable intellectual credentials.
Wednesday 15 June 2011
Jaclyn Maxwell: Scholars, Peasants, and Monks in the Life of Hypatius
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