As the Roman Empire in the west crumbled over the course of the fifth century, new polities, ruled by 'barbarian' elites, arose in Gaul, Hispania, Italy, and Africa. This political order occurred in tandem with growing fissures within Christianity, as the faithful divided over two doctrines, Nicene and Homoian, that were a legacy of the fourth-century controversy over the nature of the Trinity. In this book, Marta Szada offers a new perspective on early medieval Christianity by exploring how interplays between religious diversity and politics shaped post-Roman Europe. Interrogating the ecclesiastical competition between Nicene and Homoian factions, she provides a nuanced interpretation of religious dissent and the actions of Christians in successor kingdoms as they manifested themselves in politics and social practices. Szada's study reveals the variety of approaches that can be applied to understanding the conflict and coexistence between Nicenes and Homoians, showing how religious divisions shaped early medieval Christian culture.

‘This is a very fine and accomplished study of the subject … It will appeal to researchers on the religious and political worlds that witnessed the transformation of Europe after the Roman Empire, but it will also satisfy both undergraduates and postgraduates in furnishing a clear-sighted and effective presentation of the state of research. Finally, it will even appeal to that rare beast - the discerning general reader … Both Marta Szada and Cambridge University Press should be pleased with a work that will prompt greater engagement and research into the issues considered and the questions posed.’

Christopher Heath Source: Journal of the Medieval Mediterranean