A life on top : a survey of stylite saints

Abstract

This thesis presents the available information about the stylite saints who lived during the Byzantine period within the borders of modern Turkey. Stylites are Christian ascetics who lived on top of columns. There are over a hundred stylites mentioned in written sources, who lived between the fifth century and the nineteenth century. The vast amount of information is diverse ranging from historical and literary evidence to art historical and archaeological remains. This evidence is evaluated in order to present the circumstances that led to the invention of stylitism and outline a stylite’s daily life. Later, the iconography of stylites is discussed. The last section of the work is reserved to the Monastery of St. Simeon the Younger in Samandağı near Antioch. The author hopes that this work has contributed to this interdisciplinary subject for the use of future studies.