Byzantine Rome and the Greek Popes

Discussion questions for Byzantine Rome and the Greek Popes

Bring these to your book club — or discuss them with readers on Readfeed.

1. 1

   Ekonomou argues for a profound Eastern influence on Rome and the Papacy after the Justinian Reconquest. Which specific examples or aspects of this influence – be it theological, administrative, artistic, or linguistic – did you find most compelling or surprising?

2. 2

   The book highlights the significant number of Greek Popes during this period. How did their unique cultural background and loyalties both benefit and complicate their role as leaders of the Western Church, particularly in their relationship with Constantinople?

3. 3

   The dynamic between the Byzantine Emperor and the Roman Pontiff was often a delicate balance of power. How does Ekonomou illustrate the strategies Popes employed to assert their spiritual authority while still navigating the political realities of imperial suzerainty?