Theodoret's People: Social Networks and Religious Conflict in Late Roman Syria
Adam Schor
Abstract
This book sheds new light on religious clashes of the mid-fifth century regarding the nature (or natures) of Christ. The book focuses on Theodoret, bishop of Cyrrhus, his Syrian allies, and his opponents, led by Alexandrian bishops Cyril and Dioscorus. Although both sets of clerics adhered to the Nicene Creed, their contrasting theological statements led to hostilities, violence, and the permanent fracturing of the Christian community. The book closely examines council transcripts, correspondence, and other records of communication. Using social network theory, the book argues that Theodoret's ... More
This book sheds new light on religious clashes of the mid-fifth century regarding the nature (or natures) of Christ. The book focuses on Theodoret, bishop of Cyrrhus, his Syrian allies, and his opponents, led by Alexandrian bishops Cyril and Dioscorus. Although both sets of clerics adhered to the Nicene Creed, their contrasting theological statements led to hostilities, violence, and the permanent fracturing of the Christian community. The book closely examines council transcripts, correspondence, and other records of communication. Using social network theory, the book argues that Theodoret's doctrinal coalition was actually a meaningful community, bound by symbolic words and traditions, riven with internal rivalries, and embedded in a wider world of elite friendship and patronage.
Keywords:
religious clashes,
mid-fifth century,
Christ,
Theodoret,
bishop of Cyrrhus,
Syrian allies,
opponents,
Alexandrian bishops,
Cyril,
Dioscorus
Bibliographic Information
| Print publication date: 2011 |
Print ISBN-13: 9780520268623 |
| Published to California Scholarship Online: March 2012 |
DOI:10.1525/california/9780520268623.001.0001 |
