The Divided Cloak as Redemptio Militiae. Biblical Stylization and Hagiographical Intertextuality in Sulpicius Severus’ Vita Martini

Martin of Tours (ca. 317-397) became one of the most popular saints of all times but in his own lifetime he was a controversial figure, amongst other reasons because he had remained a soldier after his baptism, which was forbidden at the time for clerics. The Vita Martini is the first text of a comprehensive hagiographical dossier, the Martinellus, published by Sulpicius Severus (363-ca.425). This article interprets the famous division of the cloak as part of the apologetic nature of the vita martini: Sulpicius wanted to present Martinus as the perfect soldier of Christ (miles Christi) and as an imitator of Christ. The division of the cloak during his military service is interpreted here as an in version of what the soldiers did unto Christ in the passion narrative.

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