ABSTRACT

An incident at the imperial court in Constantinople in 433 allows us to examine the complexity of imperial government in the mid-fifth century. The delegates to the Council of Ephesus in 431 had divided into pro-and anti-Nestorian groups, led by the patriarchs John of Antioch and Cyril of Alexandria respectively. The dispute was only resolved after Theodosius II negotiated an agreement between the two patriarchs via the Formula of Reunion in 433. However, some bishops remained recalcitrant, in particular those in the provinces of Cilicia. Theodosius now tried to use secular power to restore church unity by ordering the Cilician bishops to recognize John, or be exiled. This order was protested by the eastern praetorian prefect, Taurus, who warned that it would affect the flow of taxes from the region. Taurus’ challenge to the emperor prompts questions about how Theodosius II made decisions, how government worked in Constantinople, and the interrelationship of civil, military, and religious leaders. All of this activity in Constantinople was driven by and had an impact on events in the provinces.