Volker E Menze's monograph dedicated to the Patriarch Dioscorus of Alexandria is not only a useful tool in the field of the history of the church,...it can be read both by a theologian, a philosopher, a scholar specialized in areas like geopolitics, political theology, or other categories of literature. * Maxim Morariu, The Symposium * The strength of this short, densely argued book lies in the way Menze aligns imperial agendas with internal ecclesiastical power struggles to explain the downfall of Dioscorus. * Janet Timbie, Catholic Historical Review * Following on from excellent earlier works by the same author, including a major study of Justinian's ecclesiastical policy towards the Syro-Orthodox Church, the present work is, to put it bluntly, a great book. [ ...] We will be grateful [ ...] for having substantially enriched our knowledge of the ideas and actions of the Alexandrian archbishop. [ ...] another view of Dioscorus's initiatives, with their scope and limits, is still possible: that of an ecclesiastic, less gifted and cunning than his predecessor, but capable of daring initiatives, who [ ...] retained a real autonomy of judgement and position, and implemented a thoughtful and ambitious geo-ecclesiological agenda that prevailed for a time before being decisively thwarted at Chalcedon. * Philippe Blaudeau, The Plekos * Volker Menze presents an account of the rise and fall of Dioscorus that sets aside most discussion of dogma in order to clarify thepolitical,administrative and interpersonal dynamics at work. * Andrew Crislip, Scottish Journal of Theology * Menze has offered an outstanding contribution to early Christian scholarship. For those considering the fifth-century controversies or ecclesial life in Alexandria, or looking for a methodological approach, this book is a welcomed addition tothe field. * Shawn J. Wilhite, Fides et Historia *
