With the rising authority of the bishops, especially Leo, who provided the biblical and theological basis for the papal claims, and their growing links of power with the Roman Emperors, the Church in Rome gradually became the Church of Rome. Up until the time of Constantine, history provides no real precedents for the Roman bishops exercising authority outside the boundaries of Rome. But with the conversion of Constantine, and subsequent convening of church councils to dispute heresy, bishops and the Church of Rome steadily grew in power and influence. A major threshold of papal power came with the threat and fear of excommunication.

[tags]BlogRodent, church-history, Church-of-Rome, ChurchRodent, Constantine, history, Rome, heresy, Pope[/tags]

A classical author and Roman statesman. He was quoted saying "Let the very name of the cross be far, not only from the body of a Roman citizen, but even from his thoughts, his eyes, his ears."

[tags]BlogRodent, church-history, ChurchRodent, Cicero, history, Rome, Roman[/tags]