ABSTRACT
This paper presents an alternative interpretation of the well-established historiography concept of "official christianity" granted Theodosius I, which takes as a starting point the imperial benefit to nicene-christians. For decades, Late Antiquity historiography has debated the relationship between the imperial power and christianity based on interpretations who reflect Roman Emperors under the perspective of the christianization of the Empire. Nonetheless, since the 2000s, this debate has been thoroughly revisited through a more complex perspective, which considers the presence of different christian groups during the 4th century AD as well as the tenuous line between the various christianities and their relationship with the imperial power. From the power relationship between Bishop and Emperor, personified by Gregory of Nyssa and Theodosius I, this paper aims to analyze a case study that reflects one of several facets behind the political and cultural governance proposal of Theodosius I to the different christian groups present in the Roman Empire at that time.
Keywords:
Late Antiquity; Power relationship; Christianities; Gregory of Nyssa and Theodosius I