Pimenius and his network. The glocal dimension or rural Iberian churches

Abstract

This study explores Bishop Pimenius’ strategic utilization of relics in the 7th-century Iberian diocese of Asido. The objectives are twofold: to explore the network through which Pimenius acquired his relics and to reassess the motivations behind the bishop’s diverse use of these relics in consecrating rural churches within his episcopal jurisdiction. Geolocation and network methodologies, employing Proximal Point Analysis, were conducted to achieve the first objective. Results show that concentrations of saints venerated by Pimenius were primarily in Hispania and Gaul, challenging prior hypotheses of trans-Mediterranean connections. For the second objective, the study links Pimenius’ deposition of relics in rural churches to religious competition, considering both rivalry and collaboration among bishops. The proposed alternative scenario involves religious entrepreneurs, specifically “wandering-beggar priests”, framing the competition as a struggle between institutional power (Pimenius) and charismatic power (wandering priests). Here, we suggest that Pimenius strategically deploys relics to counteract the influence of wandering monks, empowering rural presbyters to consolidate episcopal authority.