In this new and illuminating interpretation of Ambrose, bishop of Milan from 374 to 397, Neil Mc Lynn thoroughly sifts the evidence surrounding this very difficult personality. The result is a richly detailed interpretation of Ambrose’s actions and writings that penetrates the bishop’s painstaking presentation of self. Mc Lynn succeeds in revealing Ambrose’s manipulation of events without making him too Machiavellian. Having synthesized the vast complex of scholarship available on the late fourth century, Mc Lynn also presents an impressive study of the politics and history of the Christian church and the Roman Empire in that period.
Admirably and logically organized, the book traces the chronology of Ambrose’s public activity and reconstructs important events in the fourth century. Mc Lynn’s zesty, lucid prose gives the reader a clear understanding of the complexities of Ambrose’s life and career and of late Roman government.
Tabella dei contenuti
List of Figures
List of Abbreviations
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1. The Reluctant Bishop
Chapter 2. Consolidation
Chapter 3. Ambrose and Gratian
Chapter 4. Persecution
Chapter 5. Ambrose’s People, I: Master of Ceremonies
Chapter 6. Ambrose’s People, II: Friends and Influence
Chapter 7. Ambrose and Theodosius
Chapter 8. Sanctity
Bibliography
Index
Circa l’autore
Neil Mc Lynn is Visiting Lecturer in the Faculty of Law, Keio University, Japan. He was trained in the classics at Oxford.
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