[Davis Introduction]
What vast power the Christian bishops and clergy were able to assume less than a
hundred years after they ceased to be subject to dire persecution is shown by the
following story of the humiliation and penance St. Ambrose, the masterful bishop of Milan,
inflicted upon Theodosius the Great, the last ruler of the undivided Empire.
Theodoret (c.393-466 CE), Ecclesiastical
History, V.17-18
Thessalonica is a large and populous city, in the province of Macedonia. In consequence
of sedition there, the anger of the Emperor [Theodosius] rose to the highest pitch, and he
gratified his vindictive desire for vengeance by unsheathing the sword most unjustly and
tyrannically against all, slaying the innocent and guilty alike. It is said seven thousand
perished without any forms of law, and without even having judicial sentence passed upon
them; but that, like ears of wheat in the time of harvest, they were alike cut down.
When Ambrose heard of this deplorable catastrophe, he went out to meet the Emperor,
who---on his return to Milan---desired as usual to enter the holy church, but Ambrose
prohibited his entrance, saying "You do not reflect, it seems, O Emperor, on the
guilt you have incurred by that great massacre; but now that your fury is appeased, do you
not perceive the enormity of your crime? You must not be dazzled by the splendor of the
purple you wear, and be led to forget the weakness of the body which it clothes. Your
subjects, O Emperor, are of the same nature as yourself, and not only so, but are likewise
your fellow servants; for there is one Lord and Ruler of all, and He is the maker of all
creatures, whether princes or people. How would you look upon the temple of the one Lord
of all? How could you lift up in prayer hands steeped in the blood of so unjust a
massacre? Depart then, and do not by a second crime add to the guilt of the first.
The Emperor, who had been brought up in the knowledge of Holy Writ, and who knew well
the distinction between the ecclesiastical and the temporal power, submitted to the
rebuke, and with many tears and groans returned to his palace. The Emperor shut himself up
in his palace and shed floods of tears. After vain attempts to appease Ambrose, Theodosius
himself at last went to Ambrose privately and besought mercy, saying "I beseech you,
in consideration of the mercy of our common Lord, to unloose me from these bonds, and not
to shut the door which is opened by the Lord to all that truly repent." Ambrose
stipulated that the Emperor should prove his repentance by recalling his unjust decrees,
and especially by ordering "that when sentence of death or of proscription has been
signed against anyone, thirty days are to elapse before execution, and on the expiration
of that time the case is to be brought again before you, for your resentment will then be
calmed and you can justly decide the issue." The Emperor listened to this advice, and
deeming it excellent, he at once ordered the law to be drawn up, and himself signed the
document. St. Ambrose then unloosed his bonds.
The Emperor, who was full of faith, now took courage to enter holy church where he
prayed neither in a standing, nor in a kneeling posture, but throwing himself upon the
ground. He tore his hair, struck his forehead, and shed torrents of tears, as he implored
forgiveness of God. Ambrose restored him to favor, but forbade him to come inside the
altar rail, ordering his deacon to say "The priests alone, O Emperor, are permitted
to enter within the barriers by the altar. Retire then, and remain with the rest of the
laity. A purple robe makes Emperors, but not priests. . ." Theodosius meekly obeyed,
praising Ambrose for his spirit, and saying "Ambrose alone deserves the title of
"bishop."
Source:
From: William Stearns Davis, ed., Readings in Ancient History: Illustrative Extracts
from the Sources, 2 Vols. (Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1912-13), Vol. II: Rome and the
West, 298-300.
Scanned by: J. S. Arkenberg, Dept. of History, Cal. State Fullerton.
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© Paul Halsall, June 1998
