Formation of Papal Authority in Late Antique Italy - Roman Bishops and the Domestic Sphere

The first cultural history of papal authority in late antiquity, providing a new interpretation of the Roman church and its bishops.

List of contents

Introduction: household management and the Bishop of Rome; 1. The late Roman household in Italy; 2. From dominion to dispensatio: stewardship as an elite ideal; 3. Primus cultor: episcopal householding in theory and practice; 4. Overseeing the overseer: bishops and the lay household; 5. Cultivating the clerical household: marriage, property and inheritance; 6. Mistrusting the bishop: succession, stewardship and sex in the Laurentian schism; 7. The household and the bishop: authority, competition and cooperation in the gesta martyrum; Conclusions.

About the author

Kristina Sessa is Assistant Professor of History and Associate Director for the Center of the Study of Religion at Ohio State University. She was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Rome in 2001 and a Fellow of the Italian Academy for Advanced Studies in America at Columbia University in 2006–7. She is the author of several articles on bishops, Christianity and the domestic sphere and edited a special volume of the Journal of Early Christian Studies.

Summary

This cultural history of papal authority in late antiquity focuses on the late Roman household, providing a new interpretation of the Roman church and its bishops during a critical period of development. Moving beyond traditional histories of the 'rise of the papacy', this study argues that Rome's bishops adopted the ancient elite household as a model of good government for leading the church.

Product details

• Authors: Kristina Sessa
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 10.07.2014
• EAN: 9781107423480
• ISBN: 978-1-107-42348-0
• No. of pages: 340
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Practical theology; RELIGION / Christianity / Catholic, European History, HISTORY / Ancient / Rome, RELIGION / Christianity / History, RELIGION / Christianity / General, HISTORY / Europe / Italy, Italy, Christianity, History of Religion, Ancient Rome, Ancient History, Classical history / classical civilisation, Church history, Religious and spiritual figures, c 500 to c 1000 CE, Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholic Church, BCE to c 500 CE, C 500 CE To C 1000 CE, BCE period – Protohistory