In a searching challenge to the paradigm of medieval Christian dualism, this study reenvisions the Paulicians as largely conventional Christians engendered by complex socio-religious forces in the borderlands of Armenia and Asia Minor.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preliminary Material / Carl Dixon -- Copyright Page / Carl Dixon -- Dedication / Carl Dixon -- Preface / Carl Dixon -- Figures / Carl Dixon -- Introduction / Carl Dixon -- Chapter 1 Polemics, Punishment, and Forgery: Paulicians in Greek Sources / Carl Dixon -- Chapter 2 Reinventing Paulicians in the 10th Century / Carl Dixon -- Chapter 3 The Didaskalie, the Letters of Sergios, and Paulician Belief c.800–835 / Carl Dixon -- Chapter 4 Paulicians in the 8th Century: The Genesis of a Heresy c.750–800 / Carl Dixon -- Chapter 5 Paulicians in the Face of Persecution c. 800–845 / Carl Dixon -- Chapter 6 Paulicians at Arms: The Islamic Alliance and Warfare against the Byzantines c.845–880 / Carl Dixon -- Epilogue / Carl Dixon -- Appendix 1 The Dating Frameworks of the History of the Paulicians / Carl Dixon -- Appendix 2 The Career of Sergios in the History of the Paulicians / Carl Dixon -- Map of Eastern Asia Minor c.870 / Carl Dixon -- Bibliography / Carl Dixon -- Index / Carl Dixon.

Disavowing their traditional portrayal as the progenitors of medieval Christian dualism, this book recasts the Paulicians as broadly conventional Christians inspired by the apostle Paul. Using previously neglected Paulician testimony and a critical reappraisal of the existing sources, it explains their fleeting regional prominence via a pluralistic approach to Paulician identity within the complex socio-religious milieus of Armenia and Asia Minor. Exploring their history of schism, persecution, and resistance, it reassesses their relationship with the iconoclast controversy and the changing fortunes of Byzantine-Islamic warfare, shedding new light on their obscure but fascinating transformation from itinerant preachers to militarized insurrectionists.

Description based on print version record.