John of Biclaro facts for kids

John of Biclaro (born around 540 AD, died after 621 AD) was an important Visigoth historian who wrote a chronicle (a record of events in order). He was also known as Biclar, Biclarum, or Iohannes Biclarensis. John was born in a place called Scallabis, which is now Santarém in Portugal. Later in his life, he became a Bishop in the city of Girona.

Early Life and Education

John of Biclaro traveled to Constantinople, which was the capital city of the Byzantine Empire. He spent a long time there, between 7 and 17 years, studying. He learned a lot about Latin and Greek languages.

His Career

Imprisonment in Barcelona

When John returned to his home country, he was put in prison in Barcelona for several years. Some historians, like Isidore of Seville, believed he was imprisoned because he refused to join the Arian Church. The Visigoths, who ruled the area, followed the Arian form of Christianity, which was different from the Catholic faith John followed.

However, other historians think there might have been a different reason. John had spent a very long time in Constantinople, which was the capital of the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantine Empire was a rival power to the Visigoths. Because of his long stay there, some people might have thought John was a spy for the Byzantines. Keeping him in Barcelona would have stopped him from contacting the Byzantines in the southern part of Iberia.

Founding a Monastery

After the death of King Leovigild in 586 AD, John was set free from prison. He then decided to start a Benedictine monastery in a place called Biclaro. We don't know the exact location of this monastery today. John became the abbot (the head) of this monastery. While he was there, he finished writing his famous Chronicle in 590 AD.

Becoming a Bishop

After finishing his chronicle, John was appointed as the Catholic Bishop of Girona. This happened under the new government, which was more favorable to Catholics.

John of Biclaro took part in important church meetings called synods. He attended the synod in Zaragoza in 592 AD, another in Barcelona in 599 AD, and one in Egara in 614 AD.

His Chronicle is a very important historical record. It continues the work of another historian, Victor of Tunnuna, starting from the year 567 AD and going up to 590 AD. It gives us the most complete and reliable information about the reign of King Leovigild. It also tells us about the major change when the Visigoths converted from Arianism to Catholicism.

Other important chronicles from that time include those by Bishop Hydatius and Bishop Isidore of Seville.