Holy Bishops in Late Antiquity - The Nature of Christian Leadership in an Age of Transition

"This book is beautifully written. It is elegant in conception, lucid yet graceful in exposition, concise and accessible."—Susan Ashbrook Harvey, author of Asceticism and Society in Crisis

"This book is highly important. Rapp emphasizes continuities between the pre- and post-Constantine periods, a healthy correction to the myopic concentration that characterizes so much previous work on the subject. The range of materials she draws on to make her case is truly impressive, her argument both original and persuasive."—Hal Drake, author of Constantine and the Bishops

List of contents

Acknowledgments

PART ONE
1. The Nature of Leadership in Late Antiquity
2. Pragmatic Authority
3. Spiritual Authority
4. Ascetic Authority

PART TWO
5. Bishops in Action
6. Social Contexts
7. Cities
8. Empire
9. The Bishop as a New Urban Functionary
Epilogue

Bibliography
Primary Sources
Secondary Literature
Index

About the author

Claudia Rapp is Professor of Byzantine Studies at the University of Vienna and the author of Brother-Making in Byzantium: Monks, Laymen and Christian Ritual and numerous articles on the social and literary history of Byzantium.

Summary

Between 300 and 600, Christianity experienced a momentous change from persecuted cult to state religion. One of the consequences of this shift was the evolution of the role of the bishop - as the highest Church official in his city - from model Christian to model citizen. This title provides an analysis of the changing dynamics of social mobility.

Product details

• Authors: Claudia Rapp, Rapp Claudia
• Publisher: University Of California Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 21.08.2013
• EAN: 9780520280175
• ISBN: 978-0-520-28017-5
• No. of pages: 520
• Series: Transformation of the Classica; Transformation of the Classical Heritage
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Christianity; POLITICAL SCIENCE / History & Theory, RELIGION / Antiquities & Archaeology, RELIGION / Christianity / General, Religion: general, Christianity, Religion & beliefs, Archaeology, Political science and theory