The Christian Roman Empire & the Rise of the Just War Tradition

The Christian Roman Empire & the Rise of the Just War Tradition

I. Context: Changed Circumstances of the “Christian” Roman

Empire
 The Christian Roman Empire & the Rise of the Just War Tradition

I. Context: Changed Circumstances of the “Christian” Roman

Empire
A. 2 Examples:
 The Christian Roman Empire & the Rise of the Just War Tradition

I. Context: Changed Circumstances of the “Christian” Roman

Empire
A. 2 Examples:
1. The Battle of the Frigidus (394): Theodosius’s Victory
over Eugenius
 “This happened, in fact, during the latest war. Faithless and sacriligeous men
challenged one who placed his trust in the Lord. They attempted to deprive him of
his dominion and they threatened the churches of the Lord with savage persecutions.
Suddenly a wind sprang up; it ripped the rebels’ shields out of their hands and cast
all the javelins and missiles back on the sinner’s army. Their opponents had not yet
attacked but already they could not sustain the assaulg of the wind and were cut
down by their own weapons. What is more, the wounds in their spirits were deeper
than those in their bodies; they lost heart when they realized that God was fighting
against them.
They had gone forth with a challenge; from the quivers of their hearts they had
drawn the poisoned arrows of infidelity against the Christian people. They their
impiety was turned back on their own heads. Their unfaithfulness caused divisions
among themselves. The Lord broke up the trap they had laid for his faithful ones.
Thus not only were they unable to harm the devout but they were deprived of their
own auxiliaries & their support went over to their opponent.
How much better it would have been if they had never unsheathed the sword, had
never uttered the irreverent words…”
-Ambrose, Exposition of Psalm 35, 25
 Theodosius, the winner of the battle, became
the last emperor of a unified Roman Empire.

Eugenius on a coin. The Western ruler was taken prisoner after the
battle, executed, and his head was displayed in Theodosius' camp.
 The Christian Roman Empire & the Rise of the Just War Tradition

I. Context: Changed Circumstances of the “Christian” Roman

Empire
A. 2 Examples:
1. The Battle of the Frigidus (394): Theodosius’s Victory
over Eugenius
2. Augustine & Boniface, governor of North Africa
 The Christian Roman Empire & the Rise of the Just War Tradition

I. Context: Changed Circumstances of the “Christian” Roman

Empire
A. 2 Examples:
1. The Battle of the Frigidus (394): Theodosius’s Victory
over Eugenius
2. Augustine & Boniface, governor of North Africa
B. Significance
 The Christian Roman Empire & the Rise of the Just War Tradition

I. Context: Changed Circumstances of the “Christian” Roman

Empire
A. 2 Examples:
1. The Battle of the Frigidus (394): Theodosius’s Victory
over Eugenius
2. Augustine & Boniface, governor of North Africa
B. Significance
II. Development of Just War Tradition
 The Christian Roman Empire & the Rise of the Just War Tradition

I. Context: Changed Circumstances of the “Christian” Roman

Empire
A. 2 Examples:
1. The Battle of the Frigidus (394): Theodosius’s Victory
over Eugenius
2. Augustine & Boniface, governor of North Africa
B. Significance
II. Development of Just War Tradition
A. Criteria for Just War or Use of Force (Jus ad bellum)
 Criteria for Just War or Use of Force (Jus ad bellum)

•Legitimate authority

•Just cause

•Right intention

•Reasonable hope of success

•War as the best available means to right or prevent a grievous

wrong.
 The Christian Roman Empire & the Rise of the Just War Tradition

I. Context: Changed Circumstances of the “Christian” Roman

Empire
A. 2 Examples:
1. The Battle of the Frigidus (394): Theodosius’s Victory
over Eugenius
2. Augustine & Boniface, governor of North Africa
B. Significance
II. Development of Just War Tradition
A. Criteria for Just War or Use of Force (Jus ad bellum)
B. Background: Cicero (106-43 BCE)
 The Christian Roman Empire & the Rise of the Just War Tradition

I. Context: Changed Circumstances of the “Christian” Roman

Empire
A. 2 Examples:
1. The Battle of the Frigidus (394): Theodosius’s Victory
over Eugenius
2. Augustine & Boniface, governor of North Africa
B. Significance
II. Development of Just War Tradition
A. Criteria for Just War or Use of Force (Jus ad bellum)
B. Background: Cicero (106-43 BCE)
C. Ambrose of Milan & Augustine of Hippo
"He who does not keep harm off a friend, if he can, is as much in
fault as he who causes it."
Ambrose, De officiis
 The Christian Roman Empire & the Rise of the Just War Tradition

I. Context: Changed Circumstances of the “Christian” Roman

Empire
A. 2 Examples:
1. The Battle of the Frigidus (394): Theodosius’s Victory
over Eugenius
2. Augustine & Boniface, governor of North Africa
B. Significance
II. Development of Just War Tradition
A. Criteria for Just War or Use of Force (Jus ad bellum)
B. Background: Cicero (106-43 BCE)
C. Ambrose of Milan & Augustine of Hippo
1. Augustine’s Against Faustus
 The Christian Roman Empire & the Rise of the Just War Tradition

I. Context: Changed Circumstances of the “Christian” Roman

Empire
A. 2 Examples:
1. The Battle of the Frigidus (394): Theodosius’s Victory
over Eugenius
2. Augustine & Boniface, governor of North Africa
B. Significance
II. Development of Just War Tradition
A. Criteria for Just War or Use of Force (Jus ad bellum)
B. Background: Cicero (106-43 BCE)
C. Ambrose of Milan & Augustine of Hippo
1. Augustine’s Against Faustus
2. Augustine’s City of God
 The Christian Roman Empire & the Rise of the Just War Tradition

I. Context: Changed Circumstances of the “Christian” Roman

Empire
A. 2 Examples:
1. The Battle of the Frigidus (394): Theodosius’s Victory
over Eugenius
2. Augustine & Boniface, governor of North Africa
B. Significance
II. Development of Just War Tradition
A. Criteria for Just War or Use of Force (Jus ad bellum)
B. Background: Cicero (106-43 BCE)
C. Ambrose of Milan & Augustine of Hippo
1. Augustine’s Against Faustus
2. Augustine’s City of God