Two African saints in medieval Germany
After the decline and final downfall of the Roman Empire, western and southern Europe was a shambles.1 Teutonic tribes such as the Goths, Lombards, and Franks invaded and ransacked the erstwhile Roman provinces, founding various kingdoms in Germany, Italy, France, and Spain, most of which were, however, rather shortlived. It was only with the ascent of the Carolingian dynasty and, in particular, the reign of Charlemagne, which culminated in his coronation as Holy Roman Emperor in Rome in 800 AD., that order, unity, and safety were restored in these ravaged countries. When Charlemagne's empire was divided under his successors and new realms began to emerge in the east as well as the west-which were to become Germany and France, respectively--his imperial heritage and, by implication, that of the Romans was assumed by the German rulers. Ever since Otto I (the Great) in mid-tenth century, Germany conceived of herself as heir to the Roman Empire, as witness the elaborate appellation "Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation," which came into usage during the late Middle Ages and remained the official name until 1806. Images of black saints first appear in medieval German art. I will concentrate here on two iconographic examples, one a familiar part of the Christian tradition and the other virtually unknown. First let us look at the iconography of the unknown black saint.