Patriarch and People: Peter Mongus of Alexandria and Episcopal Leadership in the Late Fifth Century

Abstract

Peter Mongus, patriarch of Alexandria (477-490) is best known for his role in the Monophysite controversy of the fifth century and his support for the Henotikon of the emperor Zeno. He is often disparaged by ancient writers and modern scholars for his seeming vacillation in doctrinal matters. On closer examination, his theological stance is shown to be a calculated response to various social and religious conflicts in fifth-century Alexandria. His policies towards Alexandrian schismatics and intransigent pagans were expressions of a more fundamental program of furthering the local authority of the patriarchate, even when these local interests came into conflict with imperial directives.