Gregory of Tours’ Clovis Conversion to Orthodox...

Gregory of Tours’ Clovis Conversion to Orthodox Christianity In The History of the Franks, Gregory of Tours portrayed Clovis as a leader who, although his conversion to Christianity appeared to be genuine, nonetheless, used his conversion to realize his political aspirations. By converting to Christianity, Clovis, according to Gregory of Tours’ narrative, was able to garner the support of Christian leaders such as Saint Remigius and, consequently, gain powerful political allies. Moreover, as a result of his conversion, Clovis became a king who was more attractive to orthodox Christians. Furthermore, Clovis’ conversion provided him with a reason for conquering territories that were not ruled by orthodox Christians. Thus, Clovis†¦show more content†¦Indeed, Constantine called upon the aid of Christ to help him defeat his adversaries and end the wars of imperial succession that had been plaguing Rome since the crisis of the third century, â€Å"†¦he [Constantine] needed some more powerful aid than his military for ces could afford him†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Eusebius, The Conversion of Constantine, Ch. XXVII). Likewise, Clovis beseeched the â€Å"Christ God† for assistance as his army faltered in battle with the Alamanni, â€Å"†¦war broke out against the Alamanni and in this conflict he was forced by necessity to accept what [the existence and supremacy of the living god and his son Jesus Christ over the pagan gods] he had refused of his own free will† (Gregory of Tours, The History of the Franks, Bk. II, Ch.30). Furthermore, they both converted or devoted themselves to the Christian god following thereafter, apparently as a result of their military victories and, in the case of Clovis, due to the influence of his wife Clotild. However, Gregory of Tours’ portrayal of Gundobad’s conversion is similar to that of Clovis and Constantine, but it has different aspects and, possibly, subsequent consequences. Although, Gundobad did not appeal directly to the Christian god for support like Clovis and Constantine, he was able to avoid military catastrophe (Clovis’ sacking of Vienne) through theShow MoreRelatedGregory Of Tours, Unified The Frankish People Under One King1441 Words   |  6 PagesClovis I, son of Childeric I of the Salian Franks, unified the Frankish people under one king. He ruled from 481 CE to his death in 511. In 496, he became the first Germanic king to convert to Catholicism. Other Germanic rulers had converted to Christianity before Clovis, but the majority of them held the Arian doctrine, condemned as heresy by the Catholic Church during the Council of Nicaea in 325. This led to widespread conversion among the Frankish people of Gaul. Although labelled a model forRead MoreThe Religious Conversions of King Clovis I and Emperor Constantine I738 Words   |  3 Pageshave had an impact such as the conversion of Constantine I, nor as ground-breaki ng as that of Clovis I. Constantine I was born in the year 280. During his reign as emperor of the Roman Empire, the state was falling apart. 1 He was the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity. He called the Council of Nicea in 325 to resolve conflicts arising between the Arian Christians and the Athansian Christians. 2 This resulted in the canonization of Athansian Christianity, to which Constantine I convertedRead MoreThe And Germanic Comitatus : Social Models Of The Early Middle Ages1275 Words   |  6 Pagescenters as well as a focus for spiritual life, making the monasteries self-sufficient. Members of the comitatus equally shared the plunder gained in battle. For example, Gregory of Tours relates that following the Battle of Soissons, the bishop of Reims writes to Clovis I, begging he return a sacred vase plundered from the church. When Clovis claims the vase has his part of the loot, a solider from the ranks smashes the ewer, declaring, â€Å"You shall get nothi ng here except what the lot fairly bestows on you