Page 144 - Envoys and Political Communication in the Late Antique West 411 - 533

Envoys and Political Communication,411–533

Vita Germani has a very clear structure. Two dedicatory letters precede
the work in the manuscript tradition; the Vita itself comprises three
unequal parts. It begins with a short preface, followed by a brief account
of Germanus’ youth, ordination, and episcopacy. The following account
12
of five miracles forms a distinct second section. The main partof the Vita
is the narrative of five journeys undertaken by Germanus, including many
miracles and incidents which occur en route, culminating in the bishop’s
death in Italy and the return of his body to Auxerre. The structure of the
Vita is tabulated below: 13
i Two letters of Constantius, to Patiens bishop of Lyons and
Censurius bishop of Auxerre, which describe Patiens’
commission to Constantius to write the work and
Censurius’ publication of it.
ii Conventional modesty topos. Preface
iii The youth, civil career, and episcopal ordination of
Germanus; his personal asceticism; foundation of a
monastery across the river Yonne from the main town of
Auxerre. 1–6
iv Miracles performed by Germanus, notsetin chronological
context. 7–11
v (Voyage 1). Germanus’ first voyage to Britain, with Bishop
Lupus [of Troyes], to repress Pelagianism; they are chosen by
a synod of Gallic bishops. After defeating the Pelagian
bishops in public debate, Germanus visits the shrine of St
Alban and helps the Britons defeat raiding Picts and Saxons
in the ‘Alleluia victory’. 12–18
vi (Voyage 2). Germanus’ journey to the praetorian prefect of
Gaul Auxiliaris in Arles, to seek relief for Auxerre from new
taxation. 19–24
vii (Voyage 3). Germanus’ second trip to Britain, with Bishop
Severus [identified by Bede, HE i, 21 as bishop of Trier; but
cf. Levison, ‘Bischof Germanus von Auxerre’, 129], again to
repress Pelagians. 25–7
viii (Voyage 4). Germanus travels to confront the Alan leader
Goar, commissioned by the magister utriusque militiae Aetius
to inflict reprisals for rebellion in Armorica. 28
12
Wood, ‘End of Roman Britain’, 9 insightfully interprets these five miracles as moving schemati-
cally between different spheres: the official, the communal, the monastic, the supernatural, and
the animal. The miracle stories contain some elements which will become prominent features of
the longer embassy-narratives: Germanus’ association with senior imperial officials (Constantius,
Vita Germani, 7: Ianuarius, princeps praesidalis . . . officii; notin PLRE ii) and travels (ibid., 10–11).
13
Cf. Borius, Introduction to Vie de Germain, 40–2. Numbering on rightis Levison’s; section
chapter headings in Roman numerals on left are my own, for convenience of reference.
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