Ada's thesis on “The Antichrist in Purple: Ecclesiastical Invectives Against Constantius II” supervised by Volker Menze is a thorough study of polemical works by the bishops Athanasius of Alexandria, Hilary of Poitiers and Lucifer of Cagliari against the Emperor Constantius II (337-361). Church-State relations and the interactions between their protagonists are very broad themes when it comes to the post-Constantinian Roman empire; here Ada has picked a crucial aspect of these interactions at the crossroads of religious, intellectual and political history. The topic on invectives in general has received some scholarly attention recently – particularly through the work by Richard Flower. But Ada is able to add to the status quaestionis with some excellent and important observations. He offers a very nuanced discussion of the ecclesiastical sources and situates them within the historical context of the “Arian”-Church of the Empire and Nicene opposition. Last but not least, despite the rather complicated topic – which of course goes back to biblical prophecies – he confidently navigates the reader through his arguments. Overall, this is an impressive piece of scholarship and a very fine thesis.
Ada will continue as a PhD student at the Historical Studies Department at CEU.
We heartily congratulate Ada on this scholarly achievement!