Civic Commitment in the Post-Roman West: The Visigothic Case Study

The Classical municipal model and its associated monumentality has, for a long time, determined our perception of the ancient city. However, it is clear from the literal and archaeological evidence that there was public munificence after Classical Antiquity, when ‘traditional’ forms of lay, civic investment existed in parallel to the increasingly important pious charity. This paper explores, through the sociological lens of Place Theory and belonging, why medieval urban dwellers invested resources in their cities. The theoretical premise is that, in order to preserve community cohesion, members of a group defined by their shared space will have to invest time, effort, and resources according to their means. In the post-Roman West we see this through elite investment in lay and religious works that meet the needs of the community, but also in active participation in events like festivals and processions that reassure and confirm belonging to the community—especially in opposition to other urban communities. These premises will be further explored with examples taken from the Visigothic kingdom in the sixth and seventh centuries.