- I obtained my PhD from the Paris Nanterre University in 2021. My doctoral thesis focused on the role of the bishop in... moreI obtained my PhD from the Paris Nanterre University in 2021. My doctoral thesis focused on the role of the bishop in the North African' cities of Late Antiquity period.
I'am also a cultural historian of the North Africa in Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages : My research focuses on the Later Roman Empire and its Early Medieval successors, with a particular interest in issues of religious diversity, social identity, ethnic communities and political culture. I am also interested in North African historiography.
In 2021, I'm awarded "Young Talent Award" of the Tunisian Academy of Sciences, Letters, and Arts. In 2023, I am promoted to the dignity of Knight of the Tunisian Order of Cultural Merit.edit
As with Tyconius and Augustine, the role of time is crucial in Quodvultdeus' theology for understanding the world around him. In the structure of thought of the Bishop of Carthage, there is a dual construction of time: the time of... more
As with Tyconius and Augustine, the role of time is crucial in Quodvultdeus' theology for understanding the world around him. In the structure of thought of the Bishop of Carthage, there is a dual construction of time: the time of suffering and the time of glory. This dualistic and linear conception of time greatly contributed to his conceptualisation of history. Thus, his understanding of historical time, in a context marked by strong Nicene resistance to the Homaeans, sees the course of current events as a fulfilment of the events foretold in the Bible. The result is a perspective in which the apocalyptic end of time takes on increasing importance.
Research Interests: Late Antique and Byzantine Studies, Eschatology and Apocalypticism, Apocalyptic Eschatology, Late Antiquity, Late Antique Religion, and 13 morePatristics and Late Antiquity, Apocalyptic Literature, Bishops, Religious Institutes and Bishops, Vandal burials; North Africa; Carthage, Barbarians societies, Late Antiquity, Ethnogenesis, Funerary World, Goths, Vandals, Sueves, Alans, Latin Patristics, Late Antique Bishops, Vandal North Africa, Late Antique North Africa, Quodvultdeus, Quodvultdeus of Carthage, and Bishops and Power
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Yvette Duval's publications offer diverse and contrasting aspects about the dynamism of late-antique North Africa. I have underlined the extent to which they were able to exert a considerable influence in recent historiography. The ideas... more
Yvette Duval's publications offer diverse and contrasting aspects about the dynamism of late-antique North Africa. I have underlined the extent to which they were able to exert a considerable influence in recent historiography. The ideas defended in her various articles and books cannot leave anyone indifferent. Discussing them, drawing up a critical assessment, seeing them questioned, does not mean doing an iconoclast's work. On the contrary, it is the best tribute that can be paid to a woman who defended the idea of a multicolored Late Antiquity, far from the stereotypes resulting from the Aufklärung of crisis and decadence.
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Hichem Djaït’s academic production takes place at a precise moment in the evolution of historical studies in Tunisia : a moment marked by the effort of a whole generation of historians who seek to define the ways taken to consider mental... more
Hichem Djaït’s academic production takes place at a precise moment in the evolution of historical studies in Tunisia : a moment marked by the effort of a whole generation of historians who seek to define the ways taken to consider mental representations as true subject of historical study. By situating this Medievalist’s publications in a larger historiographical landscape, the objective of our article thus aims to show the interest shown by Hichem Djaït to the Late Antiquity. We have also tried to dissect his method of analysis of the last centuries of Antiquity: a period which considered by our scientist as a key historical chapter to fully understand the political, institutional and mental metamorphoses that marked the beginning of the Arab’s and North African’s Middle Ages.
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The episcopal election is imposed in Late Roman North Africa as a theological rule and as a socio-community norm since the episcopacy of Cyprian of Carthage. This made it possible to create an interaction between the clergy and the... more
The episcopal election is imposed in Late Roman North Africa as a theological rule and as a socio-community norm since the episcopacy of Cyprian of Carthage. This made it possible to create an interaction between the clergy and the populus christianus at the local level through-out the Late Roman Period. After the installation of the Vandal in North Africa, the modality of recruitment of bishops sustained many changes who were related to political and doctrinal aspects. This new reality is explained by the royal interventionist policy in the internal affairs of North African Church. The election assemblies, when they are maintained, have only a weak decision-making power and the choice of the bishop very often escapes them. This is why the modes of access to the episcopate in Vandal North Africa draw their institutional legitimization from the new politico-religious system put in the place by the Hasding kings. But this politicalization of the episcopal elections did not prevent the local communities from intervening to choose their religious leaders, as is the case with the election of Fulgentius.
Research Interests: Early Christianity, Late Antiquity, Patristics and Late Antiquity, Western Arianism, Vandals, and 9 moreAfrican Methodist Episcopal Church, North African Christianity, Episcopal elections, Episcopal Power, Episcopal Ordinations, Vandal North Africa, Election of Bishops, Late Antique North Africa, and Confirmation des élections épiscopales
Written between 408 and 409 A.D. in the effervescence of strong pagan resistance to the accelerated Christianization of the Roman society, the correspondence between Augustine of Hippo and Nectarius of Calama is a concentrate of... more
Written between 408 and 409 A.D. in the effervescence of strong pagan resistance to the accelerated Christianization of the Roman society, the correspondence between Augustine of Hippo and Nectarius of Calama is a concentrate of Neoplatonic issues that revolve around the forms and meanings of belonging to the earthly City, the justice, and the happiness. Added to this is a theological type of debate around the meanings of the celestial City, God, and forgiveness. Through these four letters which enables to a bishop and a well-educated wise man to communicate, we can get closer even more to the mentality of the African pagan and Christian elites of the Later Roman Empire.
Research Interests: Roman History, Early Christianity, Late Antiquity, Augustine of Hippo, Neo-Paganism, and 10 morePatristics and Late Antiquity, Roman North Africa, Paganism and Christianism, Late antiquity, pagan and Christian, Early Christianity, Patristics, Augustine, Late antique culture, Conflict Between Pagan Philosophy and Christianity, Late antique city, Late antique paganism, and late antique pagan
Among early Christian writers, criticism of pagan practices holds a very important place. This critics are, in fact, so abundant that one cannot help wondering about the reasons for this profusion. This theme thus appears as an organic... more
Among early Christian writers, criticism of pagan practices holds a very important place. This critics are, in fact, so abundant that one cannot help wondering about the reasons for this profusion. This theme thus appears as an organic component of the works of Christian authors from Africa at the dawn of Constantinian peace. These authors had built their argumentative apparatus on the basis of a careful observation of the socio-cultural reality of their society. Their writings are therefore a fundamental element for understanding the beginning of the construction of a dynamic anti-Pagan movement within African society of the late Roman period.
Research Interests: Early Christianity, Religious Conversion, Late Antiquity, Religious History, Religious Studies, and 7 morePatristics and Late Antiquity, Roman North Africa, Later Roman Empire, Late antiquity, pagan and Christian, North African Christianity, Christianism and paganism, and Conflict Between Pagan Philosophy and Christianity
Justinian’s provisions dit not alter the episcopalis audientia, although they did result in a significant loss of practice. With a considerably enlarged priuiligium fori, with the powers that novella 86 grants to the bishops, the Church... more
Justinian’s provisions dit not alter the episcopalis audientia, although they did result in a significant loss of practice. With a considerably enlarged priuiligium fori, with the powers that novella 86 grants to the bishops, the Church sees its influence on the administration of justice sufficiently increased not to retain a particular interest in the arbitration tasks of the bishops. The point is that, unlike in the past when bishops complained about the excessively absorbing nature of their dedication to resolving disputes before them, they have not now risen up.
Research Interests: Late Antique and Byzantine History, Roman Law, Byzantine Studies, Late Antiquity, Late Antique Religion, and 14 morePatristics and Late Antiquity, Byzantine Law, Justinian I, Emperor, Code of Justinian, History of Roman Law, Late Antique Law, The Age of Justinian (527-565 CE), Audientia Episcopalis, Episcopal Justice, Roman Law - Late Antiquity, Roman Law of Late Antiquity, Justinianic Law, Codex Justinianus, and Justinianian Law
This paper focuses on the history of concepts by studying the key theological themes in the correspondence between Jerome and Augustine. Their otherwise fierce debate remains respectful within the literary genre of epistolography and its... more
This paper focuses on the history of concepts by studying the key theological themes in the correspondence between Jerome and Augustine. Their otherwise fierce debate remains respectful within the literary genre of epistolography and its confines that were characteristic of the period. Although each of them stood by their beliefs that Jerome frequently refused to even discuss, their respect and mutual affection were not in question, particularly when they were both intellectually focusing on the front against their common adversary, Pelagius.
Research Interests: Early Christianity, Late Antiquity, Augustine of Hippo, Epistolography, Late Antique Religion, and 11 morePatristics and Late Antiquity, Latin epistolography, late antique Rome, Saint Augustine, Christian Epistolography, St. Augustine, Saint Jerome, Roman Epistolography, Late Antique North Africa, Saint Jerome - Hieronymus, and Augustine Studies
The historical analysis of the Christian sources in Late Antiquity reveals several types of literary representations of conversion. The most common evokes an intimate renewal. The conversion can also be intended as a transition to a new... more
The historical analysis of the Christian sources in Late Antiquity reveals several types of literary representations of conversion. The most common evokes an intimate renewal. The conversion can also be intended as a transition to a new lifestyle. The person converting goes through a full process of transformation, which is constantly changing.
Research Interests: Early Church, Early Christianity, Late Antiquity, Augustine of Hippo, Late Antique Religion, and 10 morePatristics and Late Antiquity, Early Church History, Ambrose of Milan, Later Roman Empire, Saint Augustine, Latin Patristics, The Later Roman Empire, Religions of the Later Roman Empire, Creative elites in the Roman Empire and Late Antiquity, and Roman Elits
The purpose of this paper is to present several avenues of reflection linked first to the onomastics of the African episcopate of the Byzantine period, then to its development. A quick overview of the most typical characteristics of... more
The purpose of this paper is to present several avenues of reflection linked first to the onomastics of the African episcopate of the Byzantine period, then to its development. A quick overview of the most typical characteristics of onomastics of this period will be presented, followed by a description of the remarkable development of this African episcopate between the sixth and the beginning of the eighth century. It will conclude with observations on the African onomastic repertoire of the Protobyzantine era, which reflects the evolution of mentalities within the very interior of the African Christian people and the different circles within it.
Research Interests: Late Antique and Byzantine History, Late Antique and Byzantine Studies, History of Christianity, Onomastics, Early Christianity, and 14 moreByzantine Studies, Late Antiquity, Late Antique Art and Archaeology, Roman Onomastics, North African History, Late Antiquity and Byzantium (History and Art), Paleochristian and Late Antique Archaeology, Bishops, Byzantine North Africa, North African Christianity, Late Antique Bishops, BYZANTIUM AND THE WEST, Roman and Early Christianity, and Late Antique North Africa
« Uma Antiguidade tardia muito longa: A propósito dos últimos cristãos do Norte da África Medieval », in Nos tempos de outrora : Perspectivas (teo)filosóficas antiga e medieval, eds. A. Borges, J. Pereira Melo, P. Funari & Ch. Margareth De Menezes e Silva, São Paulo, Editora Recriar, 2020, p.29-35.more
The paper addresses the question of the survival of Latin African Christianity in the Arab-Muslim Ifriquiya
Research Interests: Late Antique and Byzantine History, North Africa Studies, Minority Studies, Late Antiquity, North African History, and 12 moreHistória medieval; imaginário; antiguidade tardia, Ifriqiya, Antiguidade Tardia, The Decline of Christianity in North Africa, Antiquité tardive, North African Christianity, Tunisia, Ifriqiya, Historia del Norte de África, Norte de África medieval , Expansão islâmica, Conquista muçulmana do Magrebe, and Exarcado de Cartago
« Entre Jerônimo e Agostinho de Hipona : alguns questionamentos intelectuais da Antiguidade Tardia », in Nos tempos de outrora : Perspectivas (teo)filosóficas antiga e medieval, eds. A. Borges, J. Pereira Melo, P. Funari & Ch. Margareth De Menezes e Silva, São Paulo, Editora Recriar, 2020, p. 9-27.more
Translation into Portuguese of my Paper entitled « Between Jerome and Augustine of Hippo : Some Intellectual Preoccupations of Late Antiquity » (London / New York, Routledge, 2019)
Research Interests: Early Christianity, Late Antiquity, History of Roman Catholicism, Augustine of Hippo, Late Roman Empire, and 13 moreEpistolography, Late Antique Literature, Late Antique Religion, St Jerome, Patristics and Late Antiquity, Antiguidade Tardia, São Jerônimo, Cristianismo Primitivo, Epistolografia, Epistolografía, Agostinho De Hipona, Late Antique North Africa, and Cristianização do império romano
This paper try to apprehend the Byzantine North African’s episcopate in its collective dimensions and aims to understand the territorial, political and religious foundations of the episcopal authority in a context of important... more
This paper try to apprehend the Byzantine North African’s episcopate in its collective dimensions and aims to understand the territorial, political and religious foundations of the episcopal authority in a context of important institutional, political and social changes.
Research Interests: Late Antique and Byzantine History, Late Antique and Byzantine Studies, Late Antique Archaeology, Byzantine Studies, Late Antiquity, and 15 moreByzantine History, Byzantine Archaeology, Church History, Latin Epigraphy, Roman North Africa (Archaeology), Late Antique Religion, Early Christian Archaeology, Late Antiquity and Byzantium (History and Art), The Episcopal Church, The Decline of Christianity in North Africa, Episcopal Church history, Ancient North African History, Late Antique North Africa, Byzantine Bishop, and Late Antique Epigraphy
Engaged at the end of the fourth century, the correspondence between Jerome and Augustine brings together two of the greatest minds of Late Antiquity—two theologians united in defense of orthodoxy, but opposed to each other on important... more
Engaged at the end of the fourth century, the correspondence between Jerome and Augustine brings together two of the greatest minds of Late Antiquity—two theologians united in defense of orthodoxy, but opposed to each other on important issues. A figure of the past, Jerome is an exceptional stylist with an impossible character. Embodying the future, the Augustine is a rather sociable character for whom only evidence matters. Covering the questions of divine freedom and salvation, the 30 or so letters they exchange between 394 and 419 give rise to a very particular debate. In a very polite costume, the dialogue between the two ecclesiastics conceals a bitter dispute in which bad faith is mixed with threats, ulterior motives, unspoken resentments and incomprehension.
Research Interests: Late Antique and Byzantine Studies, Early Christianity, Late Antiquity, Augustine of Hippo, Epistolography, and 14 moreLate Antique Literature, Late Antique Religion, Late Antique Liturgy, St Jerome, Patristics and Late Antiquity, Latin epistolography, Roman History, Late Antiquity; History of Christianity, St. Augustine, Pères de l'Église, Augustinian Studies, Hieronymus Stridonensis, Saint Jerome, Roman and Early Christianity, and Saint Jerome - Hieronymus
Since the late 1970s, historians have questioned the links between the classical city and the Christian city. Some consider the Christian city as a creation of the late Roman era. Others, on the contrary, defend the thesis of the... more
Since the late 1970s, historians have questioned the links between the classical city and the Christian city. Some consider the Christian city as a creation of the late Roman era. Others, on the contrary, defend the thesis of the permanence of the urban fact but take for original the nature and functions of the late-ancient city. There is no doubt that urban life after the 4th century is very different from that of the Roman Empire because of the dominant position occupied by the Church, the new nature of the institutions, and the social composition of the urban population. Yet, the city of the Early Christian era often occupied the same site as the city of the classic period. The African example shows that the late-Antic city remained largely dependent on an urban fabric established in the classical era, despite the many changes that marked Africa from the 5th century onward.
Research Interests: Late Antique and Byzantine History, Late Antique and Byzantine Studies, Late Antique Archaeology, Early Christianity, Early Medieval Archaeology, and 15 moreLate Antiquity, Roman North Africa (Archaeology), Late Antique Art and Archaeology, North African Archaeology, Paleochristian and Late Antique Archaeology, Roman municipal administration, Roman municipal life, Late Antique-Early Medieval Archaeology, Classic and Medieval Epigraphy, Topography, Late Antique and Byzantine Architecture and Town Planning, Roman Cities, Late Antique and Christian archaeology, North African Christianity, Northeast African Philology of the Christian Period, Late Roman Cities, and Late Antique North Africa
During his four decades of rule, Genseric appears to many Africans – Catholic and pro-Roman – as the incarnation of the Antichrist. For the African municipal aristocracy he represented the image of a greedy barbarian obsessed with power,... more
During his four decades of rule, Genseric appears to many Africans – Catholic and pro-Roman – as the incarnation of the Antichrist. For the African municipal aristocracy he represented the image of a greedy barbarian obsessed with power, the persecutor and the gravedigger of Romanitas. If we look closely, Genseric had learned from the Romans how to manage strength and diplomacy, for negotiating with the Romans in particular. He sought to perpetuate his conquests by organising treaties with Ravenna and Constantinople, which did not prevent him from launching parallel plundering campaigns in Africa and along the coast that brought him respect and financial gain. First king of the vandals, he managed to create the first barbaric state on the territory of the empire. He was the type of leader who can be considered a visionary, bringing to fulfilment the material, political and spiritual conquests of a new era, the Spätantike.
Research Interests: North Africa Studies, Early Christianity, Late Antiquity, Church History, Early Church History, and 15 moreWestern Arianism, Vandals, Barbarian Invasions, Later Roman Empire, Religions of Late Antiquity, Barbarians and Romans in Late Antiquity and Early Middle Ages, Barbarians societies, Late Antiquity, Ethnogenesis, Funerary World, Goths, Vandals, Sueves, Alans, North African Christianity, Arian Controversy, Arianism West, Vandal North Africa, Late Antique North Africa, Vandals Invasion, Christianity In Roman North Africa, and The Vandals
Since the beginning of Christianity, the recruitment of the episcopal body has given rise to many taboos and has many obstacles; the restrictions are both religious and civil and the legislation of the laity complements the minimum... more
Since the beginning of Christianity, the recruitment of the episcopal body has given rise to many taboos and has many obstacles; the restrictions are both religious and civil and the legislation of the laity complements the minimum expected by the bishops. The choice of the candidate is difficult to define because it is not always easy to link to the canonical theory a practical reality. Several factors are taken into account in the choice of the candidate: beyond the legal obligations, one expects of the moral virtues whose normative sources do not say anything. After studying the African texts addressing the issue of episcopal election, we will attempt to respect the theoretical scheme of the acts of recruitment to the episcopate: the choice of the candidate, his appointment and his consecration. In particular, one has to wonder about his previous career, which does not necessarily follow the ecclesiastical or monastic path. The study of the motivations of the candidates is impossible because they can not be evaluated by sources which limit them to a divine revelation.
Research Interests: Late Antique and Byzantine Studies, Early Christianity, Late Antique Religion, Patristics and Late Antiquity, Episcopal Election, and 15 moreThe Episcopal Church, Episcopal Administration, North African Christianity, Augustinian Studies, Episcopal elections, Late Antique Bishops, Episcopal Power, Electing of bishops by clergy and laity, Episcopal Ordinations, Election of Bishops, Ancient North African History, Election Bishops, Late Antique North Africa, Christianity In Roman North Africa, and disputed episcopal elections
This paper aims deals with the place of ancient studies in Les Cahiers de Tunisie. It traces their history and is interested in their place in this periodical. Finally, after having justified the choice of the period (1953-2011), we... more
This paper aims deals with the place of ancient studies in Les Cahiers de Tunisie. It traces their history and is interested in their place in this periodical. Finally, after having justified the choice of the period (1953-2011), we attach in a final part, to give some elements of methodology and to present the main axes of the bibliographic search.
Research Interests: Ancient History, Classics, Roman Historiography, Statistics, Late Antique and Byzantine Studies, and 11 moreNorth Africa Studies, Historiography, Ancient Historiography, Classical Reception Studies, Roman North Africa (Archaeology), Reception of Antiquity, Antiquity, North African History, North African Archaeology, Phoenician and Punic Studies, and Ancient History; Greek and Roman Historiography
In Post-Revolutionary Tunisia, debates on History and Memory are fraught with difficulties. If it happens sometimes that they are confused, Memory is not the History but the one with the other maintain close relations. History and memory... more
In Post-Revolutionary Tunisia, debates on History and Memory are fraught with difficulties. If it happens sometimes that they are confused, Memory is not the History but the one with the other maintain close relations. History and memory have in common to be related to time. Faced with this type of problematic, the exegesis of symbols, discourses and testimonies must recognize the fallacious and even delusional character of historical interpretations loaded with ideology and subjectivity. But despite all these difficulties peculiar to epistemology and the representation of the Tunisian History, the problem is surmountable from the moment when hermeneutics takes on the responsibility of thinking what culture could bequeath as a collective heritage.
Research Interests: Cultural History, Middle East Studies, North Africa Studies, Historiography, History and Memory, and 10 moreHistory, Writing and Memory, Tunisian History, History of Historiography, Arab Spring (Arab Revolts), Tunisian Revolution-Arab Spring, Byzantine North Africa, Tunisian Literature, Tunisian History, adaptive authocracy, Vandal North Africa, and Historiographia
Si de nombreuses questions demeurent sans réponse à propos des dernières communautés donatistes en Afrique tardo-antique, on connaît bien dorénavant les étapes qui ont abouti à la disparition du “schisme” africain. Après la conférence de... more
Si de nombreuses questions demeurent sans réponse à propos des dernières communautés donatistes en Afrique tardo-antique, on connaît bien dorénavant les étapes qui ont abouti à la disparition du “schisme” africain. Après la conférence de Carthage 411 et un nouvel édit d’union du 30 janvier 412, un nombre important de donatistes se rallièrent à la grande Église mais d’autres plus fermes résistèrent dans l’Afrique du Nord: ce fut le cas de Gaudentius, évêque de Thamugadi, qui menaça de se brûler vif dans son église entouré par ses fidèles, ou d’Emeritus, évêque de Caesarea, qui avait engagé une vaine discussion avec Augustin. Néanmoins, la Catholica africaine déchirée par le grand schisme ne retrouverait jamais sa parfaite unité. À Ala Miliaria des épitaphes révèlent la survivance du donatisme dans les confins méridionaux de la Maurétanie Césarienne. Avec l’époque vandale et byzantine, la tradition donatiste allait se poursuivre d’une manière souterraine en Numidie méridionale: la correspondance de Léon le Grand et après lui du pape Grégoire Le Grand témoigne d’une persistance du donatisme dans ces régions.
Research Interests: Roman History, Late Antique and Byzantine History, Late Antique and Byzantine Studies, North Africa Studies, Early Christianity, and 15 moreLate Antiquity, Church History, Augustine of Hippo, Heresy, Religious Studies, Early Church History, Carthage, Christianity and the Roman Empire, Donatism, Donatism Circumcelliones, Byzantine North Africa, Donatist History, Donatist Conflict, Late Antique North Africa, and Christianity In Roman North Africa
Paper presented at the International Medieval Congress (University of Leeds, 4th July 2023).
Session scientifique de l’Association THAT (Sorbonne University, 18 mars 2023).
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Colloquium : "Die Stadt als Kommunikationsraum im antiken Nordafrika" (University of Bonn, 25 June 2022)
Conference at the National Heritage Institute ("Institut National du Patrimoine" of Tunisia, April 20th, 2022).
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Colloquium : "Église et christianisme au Maghreb : Antiquité et Moyen-âge" (University of Sousse, 3rd December 2021).
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Colloquium : "Why can the dead do such great things ? The making of saints in late antique North Africa" (University of Hamburg, 23 September 2021).
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Colloquium : First International conference on Early Christian Literature, Late Antique and Byzantine Hagiography ‘Literary connections between the Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles and the Saints’ Lives’ – Portraits of Holy Wo(men)... more
Colloquium : First International conference on Early Christian Literature, Late Antique and Byzantine Hagiography ‘Literary connections between the Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles and the Saints’ Lives’ – Portraits of Holy Wo(men) (Universitat de València, 2nd September 2021).
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Conference presented at Durham University (Durham, 13th November 2019).