The Life of Symeon Stylites the Younger

Abstract Chapter 3 examines the Life of Symeon the Younger, which shows how the recently deceased leader was memorialized by his disciples to perpetuate his cult posthumously and how they dealt with controversial aspects of his career. It explores the evidence for the Life’s authorship and dating, suggesting that it was probably written shortly after Symeon’s death by a monk from his monastery. It considers previous scholarly interpretations of the Life, arguing that it cannot be seen as a Chalcedonian reaction to the miaphysite takeover of the cult site of Symeon Stylites the Elder at Qalaat Semaan. Rather, the Life of Symeon the Younger can be read as an extended apologia for Symeon’s failure to protect Antioch and its environs from the natural and military disasters of the sixth century. The hagiographer adopts various biblical models, including those of Abraham and Job, to attempt to exculpate Symeon of accusations of failure, but the difficulty of the situation leads him into inconsistencies and problematic theological claims. He also adopts a more aggressive approach, finding scapegoats to blame for the disasters: in particular, he targets the rich of Antioch, whom he depicts as sinful pagans. He goes so far as to support Justinian’s controversial purges, depicting Justinian’s agent Amantios as a divine officer and agent of God’s vengeance.