Epistolary Sleight of Hand: Diplomatic Manipulation in Zosimus’ Letter to Patroclus of Arles (Quid de Proculi)

A closer examination of Zosimus’ Epistula 7 reveals that the letter, which seemingly upholds ecclesiastical judicial procedures and Patroclus' authority as bishop of Arles, actually masks a contentious dispute. By contextualizing this letter within other correspondence from September 417 in Liber auctoritatem ecclesiae Arelatensis, researchers demonstrate how both Zosimus and the church of Arles engaged in diplomatic manipulation to fabricate a false historical narrative about the church's authority in southern Gaul. This analysis highlights the complexities of ecclesiastical politics during this period and challenges the perceived neutrality of official records.

Dunn, G. D. (2019). Epistolary Sleight of Hand: Diplomatic Manipulation in Zosimus’ Letter to Patroclus of Arles (Quid de Proculi). Vigiliae Christianae, 73(3), 254–270. https://doi.org/10.1163/15700720-12341402