Customer Reviews

A Short History of the Papacy in the Middle Ages

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first came across the late professor Ullman's work when studing in the Seminary,so reading this work was like visiting an old friend. Ullman sets forth an argument that the 'papacy' developed out of the move by Constantine the Great from Rome to Byzantium, thus creating an Eastern and a Western Empire. The gap left in the West was filled by the Bishop of Rome, thus creating Caesaro-papism. While few could argue with Ullman's erudition,there may be a lack of attention given to the witness of some early Fathers of the Church in support of Roman Primacy. The real focus in this wonderful; book is the great battle of Church and State and the role played by significant players, such as Gregory the Great and Innocent the 111. Incidents such as Canossa and the sutuggle over 'lay investiture' make this a compelling read for any lover of history.