Sul fronte orientale (511-520): monaci, barbari e generali romani, tra religione e sofferenza sociale

This paper focuses on relations between the Bishop of Rome and the Eastern Emperor, after the administrative division of the Balkan region at the end of the fourth century, in particular during the Acacian schism (482–518) and the immediately following years, dominated by the doctrinal interference of Emperor Justinian. To resolve the conflict between the Chalcedonians and Monophysites, which had been exacerbated by the resolution of the schism, Justinian employed a theopaschite doctrinal formula propagated by certain Scythian monks. These monks, who were once considered barbarians or semi-barbarians, actually lived in the Roman province of Scythia, in the Thracian region. They managed to gain prominence thanks to the actions of Vitalianus, the general who held Constantinople in check during the last period of Anastasius' reign, bringing themselves to Justinian's attention. The Eastern emperor included their formula that had been rejected by Pope Hormisdas, in a professio fidei which, despite the alarm of some Roman senators and the weak opposition of various bishops of Rome, he managed to impose on the Ecumenical Council of Constantinople in 553.