Late Antique Palestine under military threats: epistolary testimony of Saint Jerome of Stridon

Abstract

This article presents an analysis of the military threats faced by the population of Palestine in the late fourth and early fifth centuries, through the prism of the letters of St. Jerome of Stridon. The epistolary legacy of the Bethlehem priest is considered a crucial source for reconstructing the perception of barbarian invasions — Goths and Huns, Isaurian and Saracen raids — as well as their impact on the spiritual and monastic life of the region. Particular attention is paid to the combination of Jerome’s personal experiences and objective historical realities, making his letters a unique testimony of the era. The analysis employs textual and contextual approaches, revealing the specific ways in which military threats are reflected in Jerome’s theological and pastoral rhetoric. The saint’s letters document not only military instability but also the internal crises within the Christian community, revealing the complexities of Christian existence in the Holy Land amidst political and social instability.