The Presbyters Project

Epistula extra collectionem 6 (Maur. 12)

Imperatoribus clementissimis Christianis que et gloriosis beatissimis que principibus Gratiano Valentiniano et Theodosio sanctum concilium quod convenit Aquileiae.

Ambrose writing in the name of the council of Aquileia asks the Emperor Theodosius to call a council in Alexandria to settle the Antiochene schism between Meletius and Paul.

7. Ad deprecandam autem clementiam vestram et impetranda quae poscimus legatos fratres et conpresbyteros nostros direximus, quos petimus ut et clementer audire dignemini et redire maturius censeatis.

(ed. Zelzer 1982: 186-190)

Epistula extra collectionem 6 (Maur. 12)

To the most clement emperors, the most glorious and blessed Christian princes (principes) Gratian, Valentinian and Theodosius the holy synod that met at Aquileia sends this address.

Ambrose writing in the name of the council of Aquileia asks the Emperor Theodosius to call a council in Alexandria to settle the Antiochene schism between Meletius and Paul.

7. To petition your Clemency and in order to obtain what we seek, we have sent as envoys our brethren and fellow-presbyters, whom we beg you to deign to hear with clemency, and permit to return in good time.

(trans. Liebeschuetz 2010: 234, 236, slightly adapted)

Discussion:

The letter, most probably written by Ambrose of Milan, was sent in the name of the Council of Aquileia in September of 381. It is addressed to all three emperors but most probably it was intended only for Theodosius who wielded power over the East. Strangely, the bishops for the Council of Aquileia seem to not know that the Antiochene schism was already settled at the council of Constantinople in July of 381. Ambrose and the Italian bishops learnt about that only later but were dissatisfied with the resolution, therefore they wrote another letter to the emperor (Epistula extra collectionem 9 = Maur. 13). For the discussion about this correspondence see Liebeschuetz 2010: 231-233.

Place of event:

Region

Italy north of Rome with Corsica and Sardinia
Danubian provinces and Illyricum

City

Milan
Aquileia

About the source:

Author: Ambrose of Milan
Title: Letters, Epistulae
Origin: Aquileia (Italy north of Rome with Corsica and Sardinia)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian

Ambrose was a bishop of Milan from 374 until his death in 397. We have a collection of his letters organized in three parts. The first one consists of 77 letters organized in ten books most probably by Ambrose himself. He published his letters at some point after the death of Theodosius in 395. From this collection, Book 4 is missing as well as some letters of Book 2 and 4. The second part is the group of letters that survived outside the collection (extra collectionem), and the third is a group of letters concering the council of Aquileia in 381 (together with the acts of this council). For a detailed discussion on the letters and further reading see Liebeschuetz 2010: 27-48 and Nauroy 2016: 146-160.

Edition:

M. Zelzer ed., Sancti Ambrosi opera pars decima epistularum liber decimus. Epistulae extra collectionem. Gesta concili Aquileiensis, Corpus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Lationorum 82/3, Wien 1982

Translation:

Ambrose of Milan, Political Letters and Speeches, trans. J.H.W.G. Liebeschuetz, Translated Texts for Historians 43, Liverpool 2010

Bibliography:

J.H.W.G. Liebeschuetz, Ambrose of Milan: political letters and speeches, Liverpool 2010.

N. McLynn, Ambrose of Milan: Church and Court in a Christian Capital, Berkeley 1994.

G. Nauroy, "The Letter Collection of Ambrose of Milan", [in:] Late Antique Letter Collections: A Critical Introduction and Reference Guide, ed. C. Sogno, B.K. Storin, E.J. Watts, Oakland, CA 2016, 146–160.

G. Nauroy, "Édition et organisation du recueil des lettres d’Ambroise de Milan: une architecture cachée ou altérée?", in: La correspondance d'Ambroise de Milan, textes réunis et préparés par A. Canellis, Saint-Étienne 2012, 19-61.

J.-R. Palanque, Saint Ambroise et l’Empire romain. Contribution à l’histoire des rapports de l’Église et de l’État à la fin du quatrième siècle, Paris 1933.

A. Paredi, S. Ambrogio e la sua età, Milano 1960.

D.H. Williams, Ambrose of Milan and the End of the Arian-Nicene Conflicts, Oxford 1995.

Categories:

Travel and change of residence

Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος

Ecclesiastical administration - Ecclesiastical envoy

Relation with - Bishop/Monastic superior

Relation with - Monarch and royal/imperial family

Relation with - Secular authority

Described by a title - Conpresbyter

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: M. Szada, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER1959, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=1959