Abstract
A lexical approach of the Franciscan Poverty must be placed in perspective with the general vocabulary found in different times and distinct situations over the Christian History. A long-term historical analysis is important to put away all the naïve hypothesis upon an alleged mythical Francis, as well as a supposed disruptive Franciscan Order; on the other hand, long-term historical analysis is relevant by bringing light to the uniqueness of the Franciscan éthos and, as consequence, by improving historian’s ability of comprehension. Thus, in this occasion, we propose the application of poverty as historical category for a focused analysis on Franciscan phenomenon; we also put forward the methodology of Global History that prescribes a dialectical interface between general and specific temporalities, with the intermediation of the documentary sources.
Keywords:
Middle Ages; Christianity; vocabulary; culture; written sources