Abstract

This contribution focuses on Martinus Bracarensis, the “Apostles of the Suebesµ (6 th century), and his efforts to promote literacy and literary culture in Iberian Galicia, situated on the western shore of the late ancient and early medieval world of Christianity. Special attention is paid to the impact of writing and scripture which Martin and the Suebic church used extensively in their missionary, but also administrative, strategies from the middle of the sixth century. In this respect, the contribution also helps to understand the prehistory of the so-called “Isidorian Renaissanceµ.