Peregrino ou fugitivo: Leandro de Sevilha e a querela entre católicos e arianos no reino hispano-visigodo de Toledo (século VI)

Abstract

The Hispano-Visigothic Kingdom of the 6th century was marked by several transformations that characterized that period of Late Antiquity. Starting with the very configuration of that regnum gothorum, a result of the political and military actions of an energetic and victorious king like Leovigild (569–586). Despite this royal posture, several aristocratic uprisings occurred against Leovigild's power, the most complex being that led by his son and royal consort Hermenegild (573–585). In an attempt to overcome his father's military power, the rebellious prince sought external support, particularly from the Eastern Roman Empire, which had occupied the southern-southeastern coastal fringe of the Iberian Peninsula since 552. To this end, Hermenegild sent Bishop Leander of Seville (579–600) as his emissary to Constantinople in order to forge an effective alliance with the Eastern Roman forces. Initially, Leandro went to the imperial capital as a peregrinus on a mission as a legate, but during his stay he was sentenced to exile, a penalty that was never carried out. In this study, we intend to analyze the true position of Leandro of Seville in relation to the Constantinopolitan court, since he went from being a peregrinus to a political fugitive.