Final answer:
The patriarchs were the five highest ranking bishops of the church, with the Archbishop of Rome being the most significant figure among them.
Step-by-step explanation:
The patriarchs were the five highest ranking bishops of the church, based in Rome, Antioch, Constantinople, Jerusalem, and Alexandria. They were significant figures in the Christian Church and played crucial roles in its organization and governance. The Archbishop of Rome, also known as the Pope, held the highest authority among them and eventually came to be recognized as the leader of the entire Christian Church.