Barbarian Raids, the Financial Resources of Christian Communities and the Power of Bishops in the 4th Century

One of the main characteristics of Late Antiquity is the constant barbarian invasions, which, in addition to burning and plundering settlements, were characterized by the kidnapping of civilians. Since the beginning of human history, captives have been part of the economic structure of ancient societies, initially as a commodity that could be redeemed for a certain price, and later as slaves. Until the establishment of Christianity in Roman cities, the opportunity to be redeemed and saved from slavery was enjoyed by those belonging to the ruling aristocracy and the gradually increasing urban elite. Christianity puts believers at the forefront, regardless of their social status. With the proposed report, I aim to present how the increase in the property and income of the Church was used by the bishops of the larger and more influential municipalities by redeeming captured Christians and rescuing them from slavery to increase, on the one hand, their personal power, and on the other, to impose the bishop as a key figure in the administration of the late antique city. The proposed study is based on information from the writings of the Fathers of the Church, personal letters of bishops and general histories of the Church from the 5th century.