This paper takes its cue from recent theoretical developments in
religious and cultural studies to investigate the issues of materiality
and religion as lived religion in Late Antiquity, the topic of the
workshop. As a case study, I shall focus on quotidian religion as
experienced by the congregations of Caesarius of Arles. Caesarius’
sermons, preached at a number of locations beside Arles itself, provide a
fascinating (if problematic) source for investigating both urban and
rural culture. In a famous sermon (Serm. 6) Caesarius compares
religious instruction with learning about viticulture; this paper will
explore how technologies of knowledge and practice were understood, and
incorporated into daily life, by both preacher and audience.
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