Yale University Library Research Guides: Early Christianity and Patristics: Church Administration

Introduction to Authority and Early Christianity

Authority and the Sacred : aspects of the Christianisation of the Roman world by Peter Brown; Lamont Robert examines the factors which proved decisive and the compromises which made the emergence of the Christian 'thought world' possible.

The Christian Empire

Power and persuasion in late antiquity : towards a Christian empire by Peter Brown
Christianity, Empire, and the Making of Religion in Late Antiquity by Jeremy M. Schott examines the ways in which conflicts between Christian and pagan intellectuals over religious, ethnic, and cultural identity contributed to the transformation of Roman imperial rhetoric and ideology in the early fourth century C.E. Online available.
Constantine: history, historiography and legend by Samuel N. C. Lieu examines the reign of Constantine from a variety of angles: historical, historiographical and mythical.
Athanasius and Constantius: theology and politics in the Constantinian empire by Timothy D. Barnes analyzes the nature and extent of the Bishop's power, especially as it intersected with the policies of these emperors. reveals that Athanasius's writings, though a significant source for this period, are riddled with deliberate misinterpretations.
Emperor and Senators in the Reign of Constantius II by Muriel Moser investigates the relationship between the emperors Constantine I and his son Constantius II and the senators of Constantinople and Rome. contextualizes the integration of the social elites of Rome and the Eastern provinces into the imperial system and demonstrates their increased importance for the maintenance of imperial rule.
Constantinople: Ritual, Violence, and Memory in the Making of a Christian Imperial Capital by Rebecca Stephens Falcasantos argues that imperial Christianity was a manifestation of traditional Roman religious structures. explores how deeply established habits of ritual engagement in shared social spaces--ones that resonated with imperial ideology and appealed to the memories of previous generations--constructed meaning to create a new imperial religious identity. Online available.

Christian Empire: Primary Sources

Panegyric to the Emperor Theodosius / Pacatus by C. E. V. Nixon Pactatus' panegyric celebrates Theodosius' victory over the usurper Magnus Maximus
The Julian Romance by Michael Sokoloff
Imperial Invectives Against Constantius II by Richard Flower contemporary invectives against the emperor by three bishops (Athanasius of Alexandria, Hilary of Poitiers and Lucifer of Cagliari), all of whom opposed Constantius' religious policies and were exiled by the imperial and ecclesiastical authorities during the 350s.
The Novels of Justinian by David J. D. Miller series of laws issued in the sixth century. comes with an historical and legal commentary. Online available.

Officials & Administration

Holy Bishops in Late Antiquity: the nature of Christian leadership in an age of transition by Claudia Rapp 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. Online available.
Clerical Exile in Late Antiquity by Julia Hillner case studies from the 3rd to the 6th centuries.
Episcopal Networks in Late Antiquity by Peter Gemeinhardt et al. focusing on the formation and operation of episcopal networks. The rise of the bishop as a major figure of authority resulted in an increase in long-distance communication among church elites coming from different geographical areas and belonging to distinct ecclesiastical and theological traditions.
Stewards, Prophets, Keepers of the Word: leadership in the early church by Ritva H. Williams reveal a variety, diversity, and plurality of ways that Christ-followers adopted and adapted these dynamic roles from antiquity as they struggled to organize and live in their local situations. Online available.

Early Christian Emperors

Constantine: Religious Faith and Imperial Policy by A. Edward Siecienski interdisciplinary study of the life and legacy of the first Christian emperor.
A Companion to Julian the Apostate by Hans-Ulrich Wiemer synthesizes research on Julian conducted in many languages over the last decades and develops new perspectives. scrutinize the voluminous and variegated sources for Julian's life and rule and reflect on the perceptions of modern research.
Imperial Brothers: Valentinian, Valens and the disaster at Adrianople. by Ian Hughes tackles the careers of the brother emperors, Valentinian and Valens, by tracing the careers of both men in tandem, compares their achievements and analyses the extent to which they deserve the contrasting reputations handed down by history.
Theodosius: The Empire at Bay by Stephen Williams; Gerard Friell describes the military, political and religious struggles of this turbulent period and analyzes the effects of his policies. Online available.
Theodosius II: Rethinking the Roman Empire in Late Antiquity by Christopher Kelly explores Theodosius' challenges and successes. explores the working out of new conceptions of the Roman Empire - its history, its rulers and its God. Online available.

Synods, Councils, and Orders: Primary Sources

The Gnomai of the Council of Nicaea by Alistair C. Stewart translation and critical text of a moral treatise from fourth-century Egypt
From Nicaea to Chalcedon: a guide to the literature and its background by Andrew Teal; Frances M. Young Online available.
The Acts of the Council of Chalcedon by Richard Price day-by-day deliberations of the council as revealed in its Acts. This edition, based on both the Greek and Latin versions of the Acts, is the first translation in a modern western language, and the first annotated edition. includes a selection of the attendant documentation, relating to imperial policy and the stance of the papacy. 3 volumes.
Conciliorum oecumenicorum decreta by Giuseppe Alberigo Original texts in Ancient Greek and Latin, some of which with parallel Ancient Greek, Arabic, Armenian or Latin version; Italian translation on facing pages; critical matter in Italian
Conciliorum oecumenicorum generaliumque decreta : editio critica. by G. Alberigo et al. 4+ volumes.Oecumenical councils from Nicaea I to Nicaea II (325-787) Oecumenical councils of the Roman Catholic Church from Trent to Vatican II (1545-1965). Online available.
Ephèse et Chalcédoine : actes des conciles by A.J. Festugière
Historia ecclesiastica by Anonymus von Cyzicus 2 volumes.
Acta conciliorum oecumenicorum. Series secunda by sub auspiciis Academiae Scientiarum Bavaricae edita 3+ volumes.
The Acts of the Lateran Synod Of 649 by Richard Price "monothelete" controversy of the seventh century. Translation, introduction, critical matters.

Synods, Councils, and Orders: Secondary Sources

Constantine and the Council of Nicaea by David E. Henderson; Frank Kirkpatrick Online supplementary materials.
Chalcedon in Context: church councils 400-700 by Richard Price Acts of the Councils are one of the largest collections of source materials relating to the Church of Late Antiquity and its state relations, and this volume places the acclaimed translation in context with the Council of Chalcedon of 451, ultimately informing historians on how to approach manifold aspects of these documents.
The Idea of Nicaea in the Early Church Councils, AD 431-451 by Mark S. Smith examines the role that appeals to Nicaea (both the council and its creed) played in the major councils of the mid-fifth century. argues that the conflict between rival construals of Nicaea, and the struggle convincingly to arbitrate between them, represented a key dynamic driving - and unsettling - the conciliar activity of these decades.
Truly divine and truly human : the story of Christ and the seven ecumenical councils by Stephen W. Need
The First Seven Ecumenical Councils by Leo D. Davis illustrates the contribution of these Councils in the development and formulation of Christian beliefs.
The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church by Joseph F. Kelly discover how the councils shaped the debate for the following decades and even centuries, and appreciate the occasional portraits of important conciliar figures from Emperor Constantine to Pope John XXIII.