Origins of Roman Christian Diplomacy

<p>This book illuminates the origins of Roman Christian diplomacy through two case studies: Constantius II’s imperial strategy in the Red Sea; and John Chrysostom's ecclesiastical strategy in Gothia and Sasanian Persia. </p><p>Both men have enjoyed a strong narrative tradition: Constantius as a persecuting theological fanatic and Chrysostom as a stubborn naïve reformer. Yet this tradition has often masked their remarkable innovations. As part of his strategy for conquest Constantius was forced to focus on Alexandria demonstrating a carefully orchestrated campaign along the principal eastern trade route. Meanwhile whilst John Chrysostom' s preaching and social reform have garnered extensive discussion his late sermons and letters composed in exile reveal an ambitious program to establish church structures outside imperial state control.</p><p>The book demonstrates that these two pioneers innovated a diplomacy that utilised Christianity as a tool for forging alliances with external peoples; a procedure that would later become central to Byzantine statecraft. It will appeal to all those interested in Early Christianity and late antique/medieval history. </p>