Teodosio I y los heréticos: la applicación de las leyes en el Libellus precum (384)

Through the libellus precum, addressed to Valentinian II, Theodosius and Arcadius by the Luciferian presbyters Faustinus and Marcellinus (384), Theodosius could see that the laws against the heretics were being used by prevaricating bishops from both parts of the Empire to dispel the Catholics from the churches and to persecute them. The purpose of these pages is to ascertain the form taken by the perverse and fraudulent enforcement of the anti-heresy laws of Theodosius I prior to this date. Moreover, the response of Theodosius clearly indicates the prevalence of empiricism in the issue of his laws on religious questions, beyond any programmatic reason, and his capacity to make decisions of contradictory character in accordance with ecclesiastical peace and political convenience.