Description
Book SynopsisWhen barbarians invaded the Roman Empire in the years around 400 AD, Christian monks hid in their cloisters - or so it is often assumed. Conrad Leyser shows is that monks in the early medieval West were, in fact, pioneers in the creation of a new language of moral authority. He describes the making of this tradition over two centuries from St Augustine to St Benedict and Gregory the Great.
Trade ReviewBreaks new and important ground in the study of episcopal and monastic authority in late antiquity ... this is an important book for historians of late antiquity, church historians, ascetical theologians, historians of monasticism, and historians of Christian thought. In every respect, this is a superlative study by a scholar whose work is significant. * Journal of the American Academy of Religion *
A final virtue of Leyser's book is its careful awareness of the modern scholarly tradition * Journal of Theological Studies *
The insights and intelligence of Leyser's discussions provide another testament both to Augustine's and Gregory's extensive influence in Late Antiquity and to their relevance for modern times * Journal of Theological Studies *
Leyser's book deserves the attention (and praise) of specialists. It also rewards anyone interested in the development of authority in the Western Christian tradition * Theological Studies *
