Trauma and Recovery in Early North African Christianity

Embedded within the texts of (1) The Scilitan martyrs, (2) The account of Montanus, Lucius, and their Companions, (3) The martyrdom of Marian and James, (4) and The martyrdom of Cyprian of Carthage there is a powerful guide for living in the aftermath of trauma. These stories offered pathways to essential elements for recovery to its historical readership. These include beliefs and a number of positive religious coping strategies that revolved around a sense of safety, re-establishing community relationships, an integrated sense of the self, and the use of the body. This book vividly demonstrates that hagiographies played a vital role for helping trauma survivors recover and live in the aftermath of disaster.