The ecclesiastical reorganisation of space and authority in late antique gaul: Zosimus' letter Multa contra (JK 334 = J3 740)

Abstract

On 29 September 417 'Zosimus', bishop of Rome, wrote 'Epistula' 5 ('Multa contra' - JK 334 = J3 740) to the bishops of the Gallic provinces of Viennensis and Narbonensis Secunda. It followed a synod that had been held in Rome on 22 September to consider alleged violations by Proculus of Marseille of the hierarchical relationship between the churches of southern Gaul and the authority of metropolitan bishops over the other churches of their provinces. Episcopal authority was geographically defined and circumscribed by Roman provincial boundaries, with the bishop of a provincial capital having some authority over the other bishops of the province. What was to happen, though, when those boundaries changed or a new city within a province became capital? In a series of four letters (the others being 'Epistulae' 4 ['Cum aduersus' - JK 331 = J3 737], 6 ['Mirati admodum' - JK 332 = J3 738], and 7 [Quid de 'Proculi' - JK 333 = J3 739) written immediately after the synod, of which this letter is the last, Zosimus supported the claims of Patroclus, bishop of Arles, to be not only the metropolitan of Viennensis but, surprisingly, the sole metropolitan over several Roman provinces. This paper examines how authority within the late antique church was dependent upon spatial organisational arrangements and how temporal arguments could be advanced when such spatial arrangements did not suit the personal plans of some ambitious bishops. It further considers the religious conflict that arose over disputed areas of authority and the mechanism by which attempts were made at its resolution and how Zosimus' action contributed ultimately to a developing concept of papal primacy.