Description: This book provides the first full account of Dioscorus as patriarch of Alexandria between 444 and 451 CE. Often historically tarnished as a ruthless 'tyrant-bishop' in the Western Church, Dioscorus is shown rather to be a conflicted reformer against the backdrop of the Later Roman Empire and its political mechanisms for implementing 'Orthodoxy'.
Review Quotes: "Volker E Menze's monograph dedicated to the Patriarch Dioscorus of Alexandria is not only a useful tool in the field of the history of the church, ...it can be read both by a theologian, a philosopher, a scholar specialized in areas like geopolitics, political theology, or other categories of literature." -- Maxim Morariu, The Symposium
"The strength of this short, densely argued book lies in the way Menze aligns imperial agendas with internal ecclesiastical power struggles to explain the downfall of Dioscorus." -- Janet Timbie, Catholic Historical Review"Following on from excellent earlier works by the same author, including a major study of Justinian's ecclesiastical policy towards the Syro-Orthodox Church, the present work is, to put it bluntly, a great book. [...] We will be grateful [...] for having substantially enriched our knowledge of the ideas and actions of the Alexandrian archbishop. [...] another view of Dioscorus's initiatives, with their scope and limits, is still possible: that of an ecclesiastic, less gifted and cunning than his predecessor, but capable of daring initiatives, who [...] retained a real autonomy of judgement and position, and implemented a thoughtful and ambitious geo-ecclesiological agenda that prevailed for a time before being decisively thwarted at Chalcedon." -- Philippe Blaudeau, The Plekos"Volker Menze presents an account of the rise and fall of Dioscorus that sets aside most discussion of dogma in order to clarify thepolitical, administrative and interpersonal dynamics at work." -- Andrew Crislip, Scottish Journal of Theology"Menze has offered an outstanding contribution to early Christian scholarship. For those considering the fifth-century controversies or ecclesial life in Alexandria, or looking for a methodological approach, this book is a welcomed addition tothe field." -- Shawn J. Wilhite, Fides et Historia