A.D. 381: heretics, pagans, and the dawn of the monotheistic state

Description

Examines the pivotal ways in which Theodosius's decree mandating a Christian orthodoxy ended debates about the nature of God, exploring the reasons why Theodosius's role was made to appear as a consensual ruling by the Council of Constantinople.;Disaster -- The divine emperor -- Free speech in the classical world -- The coming of the Christian state -- True God from true God? -- The swansong of free speech : the theological orations of Gregory of Nazianzus -- Constantinople, 381 : the imposition of orthodoxy -- Ambrose and the politics of control -- The assault on paganism -- Epiphanius' witchhunt -- Enforcing the law -- Augustine sets the seal -- Collapse in the Christian West -- Faith, reason, and the Trinity -- Appendix: The creeds of Nicaea (325), Constantinople (391), and Athanasius (c. 430?). Disaster -- The divine emperor -- Free speech in the classical world -- The coming of the Christian state -- True God from true God? -- The swansong of free speech : the theological orations of Gregory of Nazianzus -- Constantinople, 381 : the imposition of orthodoxy -- Ambrose and the politics of control -- The assault on paganism -- Epiphanius' witchhunt -- Enforcing the law -- Augustine sets the seal -- Collapse in the Christian West -- Faith, reason, and the Trinity -- Appendix: The creeds of Nicaea (325), Constantinople (391), and Athanasius (c. 430?).