02-21-2006, 09:05 PM
Wow, great question, David.
When you say "late Empire armies", where exactly do you make the cut off point to distinguish between the late antiquity and medieval periods ?
Because I think I remember reading about soldiers in Justinian's time (sixth century) where they were required to abstain from communion for a short time after having killed their enemies in battle. That's the earliest time I can think of when the church starts to codify rules for Christian soldiers.
When you say "late Empire armies", where exactly do you make the cut off point to distinguish between the late antiquity and medieval periods ?
Because I think I remember reading about soldiers in Justinian's time (sixth century) where they were required to abstain from communion for a short time after having killed their enemies in battle. That's the earliest time I can think of when the church starts to codify rules for Christian soldiers.
Jaime
