TSR Wiki > Study Help > Subjects and Revision > Revision Notes > History > Reasons for Conversion
Why was C superior to paganism? (Ward-Perkins)
- Wanted to expand (whereas Germanic paganism was inward-looking + depended on self / environment / ancestors – no missionary inclinations). Cyril and Methodius were friendly to potential converts because baptism could change them ‘from animals into brothers’.
- Paganism ready to accept other Gods as it was polytheistic anyway – vulnerable to monotheism.
- C able to put on a better show; poss a more attractive rel concept, but was packaged much more effectively. Universality (Spain à Russia); great organisation.
Poss enforcement by the sword, but peaceful top-down stimuli were effective
- Accompanying charms / icons / books / literature; cultural advantages – impressive ceremony (e.g. Clotild’s attempts to persuade Clovis). Churchmen promised better write-ups for posterity of loyal Christians (e.g. Gregory writes to Aethelbert). Bribery / gift-giving could also encourage conversion (e.g Ebbo of Rheims’ exchange of money for Danish souls).
- Political alliances could be reinforced by conversion (e.g. Louis the Pious persuaded exile Harald to accept C as part of 826 alliance – relationship then family-like bond / Louis as godfather).
- Economic contact could also encourage conversion.
Then a slow and gradual process. Has to adapt to social environment. Conversion not = beginning again; incorporation of traditional ideas.
EXAMPLES
- Bulgars: - Struggle for control of church between khan Boris, Rome (with some Frankish support) and Byzantium. Boris manipulated skilfully, seeking independence for the Bulgarian church. Franks attractive because they were too distant for pol interference. Pope Nicholas gave valuable advice on the practicalities and legal implications of conversion – answers indicate that Boris’ society was struggling to reconcile C teachings with ingrained warrior ethos + rich history of pagan customs.
- Analysis: - Cross Danube and settle in Balkans C7. Byz threatened by Islam à provided little defence. Important presence due to warrior ethos / weakness of Byz / sufficient pol self-image for survival / organisation due to pol tradition from steppe world. C9 – defeat Byz and kill emperor. Suddenly become a new European power. Franks v surprised. Byz invade and force (?) conversion. Bulgars solicit missionaries – conversion can help them to be recognised as a new civilised nation.
- Vikings: - Natural assimilation of pagan and Christian cultures – acculturization less afflicting than in Balkans. Missionary Franks sought rel and pol ‘neutralization’ of barbaric Vikings. Conversion as effective means of civilisation and union. Conversions took place at home and abroad (incursions on missionary authority; conversion could protect Franksih churches). Conversion = a pol concession, but it brought rich rewards.
- Analysis: - Many kinglets C9 – Anskar à Birka - some conversions / church built – but king not baptised. More success C10 – C embraced with advent of new kingdoms. Higher level civil / pol unity made C more attractive.
NB: - Balkans had undergone centuries of interaction with / reaction to ERE – Scandinavia long independent. Much of Roman past survived Slav immigration, even some Christian communities still existing. But Christians seen as imperial agents. Bulgars were diverse and gradually accumulated people with Turkic mil values v. Vikings society based on ancient clans.
Summary points
- Conversion did not take place unless it was beneficial to the host society; what could society / individuals gain from conversion? Issues of identity and image-making. Community of faith = political tool all over Europe.
- Vikings: C could be a meal-ticket to pol influence at home if C was adopted by ruling classes (e.g. equalizing influence for Slav and Bulgar nationalities) / enforced by invading peoples. Also useful abroad (e.g. Vikings could not get audience at Frankish court unless they were Christian). Rel as pol tool; syncretist mixes were thus quite acceptable.
- Bulgars: C useful for state-building on the Roman model. A transmittable form of Romanitas despite loss of relevance for tax / admin system. Bulgars like C because it helps them do business with Byz and gives security. As with modern craze for democracies, valuable to adhere because the big players used the system.
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