Orthodoxy and the Courts in Late Antiquity

• New approach to late Roman law investigating legal practice and courtroom argument
• Looks at how Roman law created and applied new legal categories and prosecuted 'heretics'
• Examines the far-reaching effects of late Roman law on theological debate

Readership: Scholars and students of early medieval history; specialists in late antiquity.

Caroline Humfress, Reader in Late Antique and Early Medieval History, Birkbeck College, University of London

"H.'s discussion of the way the categories of heresiological thinking were reinforced and even created through legal modes of expression and practice is fascinating... Orthodoxy and the Courts makes its most significant contribution, however, in the way it rethinks the relationship between secular law and cannon law." - Isabella Sandwell, Journal of Roman Studies

"...impressive, well documented monograph" - Tony HonorÉ, Journal of Ecclesiastical History,

"Dr Humfress is a brilliant young scholar... Orthodoxy and the Courts is an outstanding interdisciplinary study combining law, history and theology." - Board of the Leverhulme Prize 2008

"a truly important contribution to the study of the legal history of the later Roman Empire" - Gregory Halfond, Bryn Mawr Classical Review

"Humfresss engaging book makes an original, incisive contribution to our understanding of the continuity of legal practice in the later empire and to the role of forensic advocacy by Christians in the genesis and elaboration of the distinctions between orthodoxy and heresy that evolved in the post-Constantinian world." - Tony Honore, Journal of Ecclesiastical History

"This fine book...repays close attention far better than dp any number of the proliferating studies of heresy, orthodoxy and authority in late antiquity." - Michael Kulikowski, The English Historical Review.

"...beautifully written and exhibits a breadth of scholarship and depth of insight rarely seen in such a young scholar" - Paul du Plessis, Edinburgh Law Review

Introduction
Part I Forensic practitioners and the development of late Roman law
1: Introduction and background
2: Litigation and late Roman judges
3: Legal experts and the late Roman courts
4: Late Roman advocates
Part II Forensic practitioners in the service of the Late Antique church
5: Introduction and background
6: Ecclesiastics as forensic practitioners
7: Forensic expertise and the development of early Canon law
Part III Orthodoxy, Heresy and the Courts.
8: Defining heresy and orthodoxy
9: Heresy and the courts
10: Conclusion