[gothic-l] Visigoths

[Ingemar Nordgren]

>
> I am trying
> to gain some understanding of Visigothic attitudes to other ethnic
> groups in the 7th century. Thus, as we know under King Sisebut (610-32
> or so) the Visigoths aquired sad notorieity for becoming one of the
> first European states to procecute the Jews on a large scale. I
> suspect that the reason for this policy was a combination of religious
>  fervour and economic interest. Is there any suggestion for the
> latter? Sisebut is interestingly the first Visigothic king to issue
> gold coins on exceptionally large scale. In fact, Tremisses of Sisebut
> and his successor Suinthila make up some 90% of all 7th century
> Visigothic coins. If anybody has some insights I would be interested
> to discuss these issues.

hello Dirk,

It is not so complicated in broad I think. The problem is the conversion
to Catholicism by Reccared. After that the pope arranged to withdraw the
royal protection of the faith of non-christians because of the Catholic
persecution of Jews. Before Arianism had been the uniting glue keeping
the Ethnicity intact. When catholics, every nobleman was closest to
himself and allied with Roman and Celtic groups after the possible
economic or other benefit. Several groups  also struggled for power.
There were a number of Toledocouncils issuing more and more crazy
decisions about Jews and in 702 they were made slaves without
possibility to be freed, and the owner should control they did not
practise their cult. Of course they joined the  Arabs 711 and helped
them before that to victory. The Jews had carried the whole Visigothic
economy you could say and the catastroph 711  was directly related to
the conversion and persecution of the Jews.I must however stress that
this was royal and papal policy and several opposition-groups struggled
for a return to Arianism. I think some of them joined the Cathars in
Provence after the fall in 711.

Kindly
Ingemar

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