The Theodosian Family, Bishop Leo I of Rome, and their competition for piety through their correspondence

Abstract

This article investigates the entreaties sent to the Eastern Roman emperor Theodosius II and his elder sister Pulcheria by their Western imperial family members Valentinian III, Galla Placidia and Licinia Eudoxia on behalf of Bishop Leo I of Rome on 22 February 450, and Theodosius’ replies. Instead of focusing on the outcome of this diplomatic correspondence, it analyzes the rhetoric of each letter and compares the arguments used with Bishop Leo’s own letters on this matter to the Eastern imperial court. It is argued that Theodosius and his family could come to contrasting conclusions despite their shared cultural framework of decision-making because they all claimed to act in accordance with Bishop Leo’s wishes. Moreover, this article contends that the entreaties of Valentinian, Galla Placidia and Licinia Eudoxia, albeit prompted and inspired by Leo’s affectionate plea, should also be read as testimonies to their individual interests. Whereas Valentinian and Galla Placidia sought to enhance the status of the city of Rome, Licinia Eudoxia tried to reinforce her personal influence over her father. In an appendix, finally, this article offers the first full English translation of the seven letters under discussion. Thus, it offers new insights in the processes of political decision-making around the Church councils of the mid-fifth century, and discloses an understudied yet unique case of imperial family correspondence.