The Council of Ephesus was the culmination of two years of machinations on the part of Cyril of Alexandria to isolate Nestorius of Constantinople both theologically and ecclesio-politically.1 This required a high degree of coordination between the sees of Alexandria and Rome as well as with Emperor Theodosius II. But from start to finish the Council of Ephesus unfolded in a way that no one could have anticipated, as highhanded maneuvering and factionalism destroyed any possibility of collaborative deliberations. A counter-council even met in opposition to the majority council. In the end Nestorius was deposed, but Cyril himself was too, at least for a time, and temporarily placed under house arrest in Ephesus. Furthermore, the council did not resolve the Christological issues that had pitted Cyril and his allies against Nestorius and his supporters; rather, the council only exacerbated the divisions. It would take nearly two years for a compromise to be reached, in 433, when the Formula of Reunion was issued.