Homilies and Hymns, Volume 2

meaningless, since the opulent and influential families of the Empire would of necessity emulate the example of their master if they were to retain their status, and the populace would likewise follow their example.

As Edward Gibbon has related so well the events that followed this edict, namely, how the bishops and clergy took an active part in the persecution of pagans and the destruction of their temples. Holy Martin of Tours, says Gibbon, marched at the head of his monks destroying pagan temples and shrines.

The Imperial Court of Byzantine is distinguished in the history of all periods for its immoralities, deceits, and corruptions. The Emperors were for the most part under the influence of immoral women and corrupt eunuchs, who in actual fact ran the Empire and ruled the Church.

Gibbon has written extensively on the various aspects of the history of this period, and this is what he says about Theodosius II, who reigned during the Cyrilian Monophysite controversy, namely, the Council of Ephesus:

"But the Romans had so long been accustomed to the authority of a monarch, that the first, even among the females of the Imperial family, who displayed any courage or capacity, was permitted to ascend the vacant throne of Theodosius. His sister Pulcheria, who was only two years older than himself, received at the age of sixteen the title of 'Augusta;' and though her favour might sometimes be clouded with caprice and intrigue, she continued to govern the Eastern Empire nearly forty years; during the long minority of her brother, and after his death in her own name, and in the name of Marcian, her nominal husband" . . . "Pulcheria alone discharged the important task of instructing her brother in the arts of government; but her precepts may countenance some suspicion of the extent of her capacity or the purity of her intentions" . . . "Arcadius and Honorius had been assisted by the guardian care of a parent, whose lessons were enforced by his authority and example. But the unfortunate prince who is born in purple must remain a stranger to the voice of truth; and the son of Arcadius was condemned to pass his perpetual infancy encompassed only by a servile train of women and eunuchs. . . . Separated from the world by an impenetrable veil, Theodosius trusted the persons whom he loved; and as he never perused the papers that were presented for his Royal signature, the acts of injustice, the most repugnant to his character, were frequently perpetrated in his name."

The author also speaks of the immoral life of both Pulcheria and her brother Theodosius, for which they had been censured by Patriarch Nestorius, thus bringing upon himself their fury and undying hatred, especially that of the unforgiving and unprincipled Pulcheria.

It was in this atmosphere that the equally unprincipled Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria—whom Gibbon says spent more than sixty thousand pounds in gold to bribe the Imperial ministers and eunuchs, and who carried in his