Abstract

The Roman Christian emperor Theodosius is perhaps best known for an edict issued in 380 CE to “all the people (cunctos populos),” in which he made catholic Christianity the sole accepted religion of his empire. At least that is the common reading of this edict, which has been deemed one of the most important documents of Western history. However, when placed in its historical and juridical context, the edict exemplifies instead what Karen Barkey has defined as toleration, namely the preference of those in power for “not acting” to preserve social order, even if they considered certain religious adherences inferior. Indeed, this edict was issued in response to requests from Constantinople, Theodosius’ capital he had yet to visit. It offers clarification of the emperor’s general Christian preferences, but also invited a great deal of further discussions in collaboration with local (ecclesiastical) leaders. In time, it became important, but it certainly did not make Rome catholic by imperial fiat.