The medieval inquisition: scale-free networks and the suppression of heresy

Omerod, P. and Roach, A.P. (2004) The medieval inquisition: scale-free networks and the suppression of heresy. Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, 339(3-4), pp. 645-652. (doi: 10.1016/j.physa.2004.03.020)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.physa.2004.03.020

Abstract

Qualitative evidence suggests that heresy within the medieval Church had many of the characteristics of a scale-free network. From the perspective of the Church, heresy can be seen as an infectious disease. The disease persisted for long periods of time, breaking out again even when the Church believed it to have been eradicated. A principal mechanism of heresy was through a small number of individuals with very large numbers of social contacts. Initial attempts by the inquisition to suppress heresy by general persecution, or even mass slaughter, of populations thought to harbour the ‘disease’ failed. Gradually, however, inquisitors learned about the nature of the social networks by which heresy both spread and persisted. Eventually, a policy of targeting key individuals was implemented, which proved to be much more successful.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Roach, Dr Andrew
Authors: Omerod, P., and Roach, A.P.
Subjects:B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BR Christianity
D History General and Old World > D History (General) > D111 Medieval History
H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
College/School:College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > History
Journal Name:Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications
ISSN:0378-4371

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