Pope Gregory the Great

1. Pope Gregory the Great Victoria Hunter pd. 3

2. Gregory the Great Facts Born in Rome about 540 Died on March 12, 604 Became a monk at St. Andrew monastery around 574 Pope Pelagus II sent him as a permanent ambassador to the court of Byzantium(579- 585) Elected Pope in 590 and remained Pope until his death in 604

3. Gregory’s Power Gregory was stationed in the Byzantium court. Gregory and the Patriarch of Constantinople, Euytchius had a major dispute. Euytchius wrote a book pertaining certain views about the Resurrection of Jesus that Gregory did not agree with. Both men presented their points of view to the emperor, who declared that Gregory was right. Euytchuis’ book was burned. He fell ill shortly afterward recanting his error until he died.

4. Minor Themes of the Era • Arguing over the Resurrection of Jesus shows importance of religion to the people of the post classical period • Eutychuis’ inability to publish his views about Christianity shows how there was no freedom of religion • The emperor’s power to decide who was right and wrong showed the supreme power rulers had. • The emperors word was law and could not be challenged

5. Major Theme of the Era Freedom of speech was not a right for anyone during the post classical era. In the story Eutychuis’ word is said to be wrong, and his book is then burned. Eutychuis was a high ranking holy man, and yet his thoughts were shut down. If a person who had a high status was not aloud to speak his mind, then the commoners and peasants had even less rights. Many intelligent thinkers were suppressed by governments and the Church, because of their controversal ideas