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| Roman emperor from 284-305. Separated and enlarged empires civil and military services; reorganized the empires provincial divisions, established largest and most bureaucratic government in roman history. Diocletianic Persecution: empires last largest and bloodiest official persecution of Christianity. |
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| – Pope from September 3rd 590 until 12 March 604 (his death). St. Gregory the Dialogist for his Dialogues. Traveled from Rome to Constantinople to plead to the Emperor for military aid against the Lombards, was promptly ignored. redited with re-energizing the Church's missionary work among the barbarian peoples of northern Europe. Doctor of the Church and one of six Latin Fathers. |
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| Constantine the Great aka saint Constantine. Roman Emperor from 306-337 (after Diocletian). First Roman emperor to convert to Christianity. Reversed Diocletian’s persecution of Christians. . Fought against Franks, Alamanni, Visigoths and Sarmatians. Transformed ancient Greek colony of Byzantium into new imperial residence: Constantinople, which would be capital of Eastern Roman Empire for over 1k years. |
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| Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius was a Christian philosopher of the early 6th century. Senator by the age of 25. Consul in 510 in kingdom of the Ostrogoths. Imprisoned and executed by King Theodoric the Great, on suspicion of conspiring with the Eastern Empire. While imprisoned wrote Consolation of Philosophy a perspective on fortune, death and other ideas. This work became one of the most popular and influential works of the middle ages. Intended to pass on Greco-Roman culture to future generations. |
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| St. Benedict of Nursia (480-547) |
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| Christian saint,Founded twelve communities for monks at Subiaco (4o miles east of Rome). Inspired later founded Order of St. Benedict. Main achievement: “rule” containing precepts for his monks. Which shows unique spirit of balance, moderation and reasonableness, persuaded most religious communities in middle ages to adopt it. Rule of Benedict became one of the most influential religious rules in Western Christendom. Often called founder of western Christian monasticism. |
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| Illyrian Catholic priest and apologist. Best known for his translation of the Bible into Latin (the Vulgate). Recognized as saint and Doctor of the Church. Corrected existing Latin version of New Testament. Commentary aligns closely with Jewish tradition. Commentaries in three categories: translation/recastings of Greek, commentary on Old Testament, commentary on New Testament. |
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| Flavius Magnus Aurelius Cassiodorus Senator was a roman statesman and writer. Served under Theodoric the Great, king of Ostrogoths. Tried to bridge cultural divides that were causing fragmentation between East and West, Greek and Latin, Roman and Goth and Catholic/Arian. Founded the monastery of Vivarium, on shores of Ionian Sea. Devoted to supporting education within the Christian community at large. |
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| – Justinian I, Justinian the Great, East Roman (Byzantine) Emperor from 527-565 (death). Sought to revive the empires greatness and reconquer the lost western half of the classical Roman Empire. Last emperor to speak Latin as first language. Recaptured some of west, including city of Rome. Rewrote Roman law with Corpus Juris Civilis, which is still basis of civil law in many modern states. Reign marked blossoming Byzantine culture. commissioned church of Hagia Sohpia, which was center of Eastern orthodox for centuries. |
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| Theodoric the Ostrogoth (454-526) |
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| aka Theodoric the Great, king of Ostrogoths (471-death), ruler of Italy (493-death), regent of the Visigoths (511-death) and viceroy of Eastern Roman Empire. Of Arian faith. Allowed Roman citizens in his jurisdiction to be subject to Roman law and the Roman judicial system. Allied with Franks by marriage. Started out religiously disengaged, patron of religious toleration. Closer to death, began to quarrel with Catholic church and Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. |
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| aka Paul the Apostle aka Saint Paul. Zealous Jew, persecuted the early followers of Jesus. After ‘resurrection experience’ became a Christian and referred to himself as the Apostle to the Gentiles. Considered among the most notable early Christian leaders. Was a Roman citizen which bestowed him with a privileged legal status with respect to laws, property and governance. Thirteen epistles/letters in New Testament are attributed to Paul. his idea that salvation is based on faith and not ‘works of the law,’ meaning he believed humans could not merit salvation through good works. Credited with transforming religious belief and philosophy throughout the Mediterranean basin. Led formation of communities dominated by Gentiles (non Jews) that worshipped the Judaic god and adhered to Judaic law but relaxed ritual and dietary laws, all on the basis of the life and works of Jesus. These communities formed Christianity after the destruction of the Temple at Jerusalem, the split of early Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism. |
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| philosopher and credited with founding of Neoplatonism (based on teachings of Plato), which is an influential philosophy in Late Antiquity. His metaphysical writings have inspired centuries of pagan, Christian, Jewish, Islamic and Gnostic metaphysical practice. Distrusted materiality, thought it signaled a poor image of something “higher and intelligible.” Never discussed ancestry, childhood or place of birth. Taught that there is a supreme, totally transcendent “One,” that is indivisible and beyond all being and non-being. Attempted to reconcile Christian doctrine with the classical philosophies of Greco-Roman society. |
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| Aurelius Ambrosius, was bishop of Milan. Became one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of 4th century. One of original four Doctors of the Church. Became bishop of Milan during time of deep conflict between Catholics and Arians. Was acceptable to both camps, Was reluctant to take post. As Bishop donated all of his money and land. As Bishop he forcefully and immediately stopped Milan Arianism. He sought to theologically refute the Arian propositions, which were said to be heretical. When, in 386, the emperor professed Arianism and demanded churches to be built in Milan, Ambrose refused. |
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