'Cherchez la femme!' Heresy and Law in Late Antiquity
Overview
Paper Summary
This paper argues that the construction of "the heretic" as a legal category in Late Roman law was influenced by gendered rhetoric and evolving Christian ecclesial power. It examines how accusations of sexual deviance were used to identify and prosecute heretics, particularly focusing on the trials of Manichaeans in Rome during the mid-5th century CE under Pope Leo I.
Explain Like I'm Five
Scientists found that long ago, when people wanted everyone to believe the same church ideas, they called those who believed differently "heretics." They even made up stories about these people doing bad things, especially about boys and girls, so they could be punished by law.
Possible Conflicts of Interest
None identified
Identified Limitations
Rating Explanation
This is a well-researched and thought-provoking paper that offers a nuanced perspective on the intersection of gender, heresy, and law in Late Antiquity. While the heavy reliance on discourse analysis and the limited scope are weaknesses, the paper's insightful arguments and contribution to the field justify a rating of 4.
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