Church and State in Late Antiquity

SAINT AMBROSE OF MILAN, Emperor Theodosius Brought to Heel (390)

Emperor Theodosius I (347–395) played an important role in the Christianization of the Roman Empire. In 380 he made Nicene Christianity the official religion of the empire and subsequently carried out a campaign of suppression and persecution designed to stamp out religious dissent. If Theodosius believed that in so doing he had subordinated the church to the state, however, he was much mistaken. Bishop Ambrose of Milan’s (ca. 339–397) decision to bar Theodosius from church services until he had truly repented for the massacre of seven thousand people in the Greek city of Thessalonica offers clear evidence of church leaders’ determination to maintain their autonomy. As you read Ambrose’s letter to Theodosius, consider the implications of Ambrose’s decision to cast out of the church the man who had made Christianity Rome’s official religion. What does the letter tell you about Ambrose’s understanding of the relationship between church and state?

I have written these things, indeed, not to confound you, but that the example of these kings might induce you to put away this sin from your kingdom, which you will accomplish by humiliating your soul to God. You are a man and temptation has come to you; confess it. Sin is not put away except by tears and penitence. Neither an angel can do it nor an archangel; the Lord himself, who alone can say, “I am with you,” does not forgive us if we have sinned except we be penitent.

I persuade, I beg, I exhort, I admonish; because it is a grief to me that you who were an example of unusual piety, who were the very personification of clemency, who would not allow guilty individuals to be brought into danger, that you do not grieve at the death of so many innocent persons. Although you have fought battles most successfully, although in other things also you are worthy of praise, yet the crown of all your work was always piety. This the devil envied you, since it was your ever present possession. Conquer him while as yet you have wherewith you may conquer. Do not add another sin to your sin, that you may practice what it has injured many to practice.

I, indeed, though in all other things a debtor to your kindness which I can never be ungrateful for, which kindness surpassed that of many emperors and was equalled by the kindness of one only, I, I say, have no cause for a charge of contumacy [resistance to authority] against you, but I have a cause for fear; I dare not offer the sacrifice if you will to be present. Is that which is not allowed after shedding the blood of one innocent person to be allowed after shedding the blood of many? I do not think so.

From Translations and Reprints from the Original Sources of European History, vol. 4 (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1897), pp. 23–24.