Eras Edition 15, November 2013 – http://artsonline.monash.edu.
au/eras
Liebeschuetz, J.H.W.G, Ambrose and John Chrysostom: Clerics between
Desert and Empire.
(Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011) hardback; 303 pages; RRP A$110
ISBN: 978-0-19-959664-5
Reviewed by John D’Alton
(Monash University)
The subtitle of this fascinating book highlights its focus on the ascetic motivations
and the “political” activity of the bishops, and how these two related themes affected
their connections with the empire. Liebeschuetz’s monograph can be compared to
the excellent work on Chrysostom by Pauline Allen and Wendy Mayer which
focusses more on his pastoral work and preaching. This work however is
complementary in that it approaches both bishops through the specific lenses of
parresia (boldness) and political relationships, especially with emperors and
govenors.
Comparing Ambrose and Chrysostom makes a lot of sense as they were near-
contemporaries and because they played similar roles in confronting imperial
wrongdoing, and in asserting the freedom and influence of the church. Despite a few
differences in emphasis and despite their geographical and linguistic distance, they
are clearly seen as very similar in worldview and impact.
1
The book contains seventeen chapters, two on the themes of parresia and
asceticism, two on Ambrose, ten on Chrysostom, and two on conclusions. The first
chapters provide a concise but excellent introduction to the ascetic context and to the
social relevance and impact of parresia. The two chapters on Ambrose then show
these themes worked out in his life, especially in regards his clashes with the local
authorities and with the emperor himself. The sections on Chrysostom give more
detail on the specific ascetic worldview and practice of the Syrian region, cover his
life and writings in some depth, and then address the main themes in his life in
relation to his conflict and cooperation with state and court. The concluding chapters
compare and contrast the pair and summarise their long-term influence especially on
church-state relations.
The two chapters on Chrysostom’s thoughts on the state and his interaction with the
authorities show how well nuanced his views were. The author avoids simplistic
summary and discusses Chrysostom’s sermons, and his debates with Eudoxia and
the degeneration of their relationship. Of particular note is his chapter on
Chrysostom’s attitude to the city and his role during the Riot of the Statues. The
author discusses Chrysostom’s views of vainglory and conspicuous consumption and
the contrast of ascetic humility. This view also entailed an educational approach for
boys designed to instill in them a rejection of applause, which would have been seen
as undermining the very notion of classical citizenship. Liebeschuetz presents a well-
nuanced analysis of Chrysostom’s thinking about the city and its social mores, and
notes the idealism yet realism in his vision of a Christian metropolis.
2
Liebeschuetz is also to be congratulated for highlighting the specific flavor of
asceticism that existed in Syria, including the emphasis on monasticism as living the
“life of the angels” now on Earth, and its heightened emphasis on celibacy. He is one
of the few authors who notes the impact of Stoicism on Chrysostom’s writings.
He also points out also areas of inconsistency in Chrysostom’s ascetic thought
particularly on marriage and celibacy, and quotes frequently from his writings as well
as from secondary literature. Overall this is a well-researched book with plenty of
depth and good analysis.
The author makes only a few errors, for example attributing a line to Ephrem that
should be Aphrahat (p. 98), and stating that monasticism only became popular after
Constantine, forgetting that a large portion of monks were living outside the empire in
Persia, as evidenced in Aphrahat’s writings describing conditions of the early 4th
century (p. 48). Other than this however, the author has extensive and accurate
footnotes and historical detail that makes the work a delight to read.
This book does not cover every angle on these two famous bishops, but that would
be impossible in 300 pages. Instead, by focusing on two closely-linked themes he
can highlight key aspects of their teaching and life. This provides much meat for
ongoing debates about the roles of church and state.
