Kilka uwag o znaczeniu transportu wodnego w prowincjach zachodnich Cesarstwa Rzymskiego schyłku antyku w świetle relacji łacińskich pisarzy chrześcijańskich (IV–V w.)

Abstract

In this article, the author analyzes the writings of the Latin Fathers of the Church in terms of the importance of water transport in them. It should be remembered that in this article I focus on patristic sources. On this basis, one can distinguish two basic meanings of water transport as perceived by Christian authors. These are social and economic meanings; I discuss them expecting to prompt discussion. One of the questions that I try to answer in this article is the extent to which patristic authors were interested in presenting the image of water transport and what could have been the reasons for this interest (or lack of it), as well as what role the issue of water transport played in the sources used. Patristic authors did not leave much data on this topic, but fragments of their writings, if subjected to appropriate criticism, may constitute an extension of existing research and knowledge. Christian writers also used some elements related to water transport in their pastoral activities as examples drawn “from life” or as rhetorical figures.In this article, the author analyzes the writings of the Latin Fathers of the Church in terms of the importance of water transport in them. It should be remembered that in this article I focus on patristic sources. On this basis, one can distinguish two basic meanings of water transport as perceived by Christian authors. These are social and economic meanings; I discuss them expecting to prompt discussion. One of the questions that I try to answer in this article is the extent to which patristic authors were interested in presenting the image of water transport and what could have been the reasons for this interest (or lack of it), as well as what role the issue of water transport played in the sources used. Patristic authors did not leave much data on this topic, but fragments of their writings, if subjected to appropriate criticism, may constitute an extension of existing research and knowledge. Christian writers also used some elements related to water transport in their pastoral activities as examples drawn “from life” or as rhetorical figures