ABSTRACT
Before and after the conversion of the Emperor Constantine (312-37) Christianity was less established in the West than the East. The problem of the strength of paganism was compounded by the less urban character of the West, lack of local pastoral institutions and of clear hierarchical organization, theological divisions in the church, and the increasing pressure from barbarian settlers, most of whom were either pagan or Arian (following the conversion of the Goths by Ulfila). The close alliance between Church and state in the East was not replicated in the West and the sack of Rome by the Visigoths in 410 led to a bitter debate between Christian and pagan apologists. Nevertheless, Christianity did much to strengthen its hold on the West from the late fourth century. The western emperor Theodosius I (379-95) took a firm line against Arianism and paganism, a formidable series of Latin theologians such as Ambrose (d. 397) and Augustine (d. 430) strengthened the Church’s doctrinal position, and the conservative senatorial aristocracy finally abandoned paganism in the early fifth century. By the pontificate of Leo the Great (440-61) the see of Rome had built up a complex bureaucratic structure, emerged as the spokesman of the West in disputes with the East and on the basis of its petrine origins claimed special authority in the West including final ecclesiastical jurisdiction and the right to confirm appointments. The weakening of imperial institutions led to an enhanced political role for the bishops in Rome and other cities. Bishops took over social and charitable services in their cities, negotiated as the representatives of the Roman communities with barbarian leaders and reinforced their hold over their flocks by skilful manipulation of
ceremonies and the cult of saints. The migration from the East of monastic leaders such as Athanasius and John Cassian helped spread the phenomenon of monasticism. Although it differed in being more aristocratic and urban, individual monastic figures such as St Martin of Tours (d. 397) and St Severinus of Noricum (d. c. 470) played an important role in the leadership of their local communities and in evangelizing the countryside.
