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TheCircumcellions, orAgonistici[1] (as called byDonatists), were bands of Roman Christian radicals inNorth Africa in the early to mid-4th century.[2] They were initially concerned with remedying social grievances.[2] They condemned poverty and slavery and advocated canceling debt and freeing slaves.[3] The term "Circumcellions" may have been coined by critics who referred to them as "circum cellas euntes" (they go aroundlarders) because "they roved about among the peasants, living on those they sought to indoctrinate."[1]
The Circumcellions first appeared about 317 and were active primarily inNumidia[4] andMauretania Sitifensis. They promoted ideas of social reform along witheschatological hopes.[5] BishopOptatus ofMilevis says that around 340 they started an uprising directed at creditors and slave owners. They regarded asmartyrs those among them killed when the disturbance was put down.Augustine of Hippo likened them to a rustic mob encouraging violence against landlords.[6]
They regarded martyrdom as the true Christian virtue and thus disagreed with theEpiscopal see of Carthage on the primacy of chastity, sobriety, humility, and charity. Instead, they focused on bringing about their own martyrdom.[citation needed] On occasion, members assaulted Romanlegionaries or armed travelers with simple wooden clubs to provoke them into attacking and martyring them. Others interrupted courts of law and verbally provoked the judge so that he would order their immediate execution (a normal punishment at the time forcontempt of court).[7]
Because it is written in theGospel of John thatJesus had toldPeter to put down his sword atGethsemane (John 18:11), the Circumcellions avoided bladed weapons and used clubs, which they called "Israelites". Using their "Israelites", the Circumcellions would attack random travelers on the road while shouting"Laudate Deum!" ("Praise God!" in Latin). The motive behind these random beatings was to provoke the victims into killing them so they would die a martyr's death.[8][9]
They preferred to be known asagonistici ("fighters" for Christ).[2]
InUmberto Eco'sBaudolino (2000), the law of the Deacon of Pndapetzim is enforced by Circumcellion Nubian (Nubians) guards.[10]
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