Hrotsvitha pioneered the lurid-paganism template later used to justify Crusader killing

Evidence

If Islam is seen in the familiar and despised guise of ancient paganism, then the struggles of Christians against it will be seen as part of the continuing struggle against the pagan persecutions of Roman days. With the notion of opposing paganism, naturally came the ideal of martyrdom: the chroniclers compared the struggle with the “pagan” Saracen to the struggle against the ancient pagans of Rome. The patent falseness of these stories is obvious to anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of Islam. — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 664 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

For Hrotsvitha, ‘Abd al-Rahmân’s homosexual desire is directly inspired by the demons whose idols he worships: his subsequent urge to destroy the beautiful young boy he cannot possess shows him as a quintessential despot. Hrotsvitha affirms that the military success of this Saracen king implies no merit of his own; it is a divine punishment decreed by the “secret Judge.” Over and against this demonically inspired despot whose “barbaric rite” consists of idolatry, homosexuality, and the destruction of his enemies, is the righteous boy Pelagius, soldier (miles) of the celestial king. It is common in the martyrologies to portray martyrs as soldiers (milites) or gladiators (athleti) of Christ, fighting against the demonical forces of paganism. Yet Hrotsvitha goes a step further when she evokes armed struggle to resist the evil forces of paganism. The valiant people of Galicia spurn the pagan law: they are Christ’s devotees and “rebels against the idols.” It is this resistance—both political and religious—that inspires a demonic fury in the king and has him set out, “sword aflame,” to subdue the rebellious province. — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 598 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Hrotsvitha recast the Muslim king as a demon-worshiping pagan to justify Christian armed resistance — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 598; Crusader battlefield deaths were not technically martyrdom in medieval theology — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 1784; Hrotsvitha tied Saracen idolatry to homosexuality and despotic violence to justify resistance (+1 more)

Broader Connections

• Hrotsvitha recast the Muslim king as a demon-worshiping pagan to justify Christian armed resistance #corroborates (0.95) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 598
• Casting Islam as revived paganism reframed crusade as continued Roman martyrdom struggle #corroborates (0.95) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 664