Being Eaten by Worms

Horror and Hell in Late Antique and Early Byzantine Theological Texts

Abstract

This article examines the imagery of worms in Byzantine theological writings, including hagiographies and commentaries, to explore the symbolic meanings attributed to worms in Christian thought. The analysis focuses on three significant depictions: worms as symbols of humility, worms as agents of punishment in earthly life and worms as instruments of torture in hell. Before delving into these depictions, the study will first discuss the relevant terminology and trace the use of worm imagery in the Old and New Testaments as well as in Early Christian theological texts. By comparing these earlier examples with those found in Byzantine hagiography, the article seeks to demonstrate how the symbolism of worms evolved and how it was employed to convey moral and spiritual lessons in the context of Byzantine theology. Ultimately, this analysis highlights the theological significance of worm imagery and shows its role in shaping conceptions of  human frailty, divine justice, and the afterlife.