Includes bibliographical references.

Introduction to Leo the Great and the late Roman world that was his stage -- The study of Leo the Great -- Imperial regimes and the Roman Senate -- Structure of the empire in Italy and the West -- Ecclesiastical administration -- Advance of the barbarian kingdoms -- Survey of the life of Leo the Great -- The relationship between Rome and the western churches -- A controversy develops with the See of Arles in Southern Gaul -- Eclesiastical law is debated and settled in North Africa -- Priscillianis misconfronted in Spain -- The Vicariate of Illyricum -- Persecution and discipline in Italy -- The idea ofjustice and its bearing upon law and mercy -- Justice and its human failings -- Ecclesiastical law as the expression of justice -- The practical manifestation ofjustice in the application of mercy -- Suffering, compassion, and the care of the poor -- The theology of poverty, charity, and altruism -- The humanity of Christ as a model for compassion -- Assembling a christology -- Polemics shape the development of Christ's human nature -- The quality of Christ's humanity -- Christ as example -- The symmetry of justice -- Overturning the Robber Synod and preserving Christ's human nature -- Negotiating with the Imperial Court -- Enlisting the help of the bishops -- Elaboration of the Roman Primacy -- The idea of Apostolic succession and the Primacy of Rome -- The controversy over the 28th Canon -- The focus shifts to Anatolius -- Striving for unity after Chalcedon -- Eliciting the support of the eastern Imperial Court -- The apocrisiarius in Constantinople -- Arenewed correspondence with Anatolius -- The'City of God' unfolds in history -- Christian intellectuals respond to the sack of Rome in 410 -- Anewidea of his Tory emerges.

Available electronically via the Internet.