Damasus, Bischof von Rom (366-384)

Ursula Reutter describes the life and works of Damasus by providing a precise reconstruction, classification and interpretation of his writings. There is a translation and a footnote commentary for each original text, and the author shows how they were passed down through the ages, dates the texts and provides a context in history and church politics. She demonstrates that Damasus pursued an agenda for the Christianization of Rome and the Romanization of Christianity and thus was very much involved in the development of the papacy. It was Damasus who consolidated the powers of the Roman bishop through the connection to the emperor and the ancient Roman tradition and who not only announced and implemented his claim to be the first among the bishops of the entire church, but also substantiated this.