Question

In 386 CE the emperor gave the Arians [a Christian sect the Church considered heretical] the right of assembly and declared that violators would be...liable to the death penalty. When Ambrose [the bishop of Milan - at this time the Western Roman capital] again refused to allow the Arians the use of church property, the emperor issued a decree exiling him. Ambrose replied that the emperor was within the church, not over it, and that in matters of faith the layman has no jurisdiction over the priest. The sympathies of the people were again with him, and the emperor did not attempt to enforce the decree of exile.

From: William K. Boyd, The Ecclesiastical Edicts of the Theodosian Code, 1905.
Which of the following claims about Christianity in the fourth century CE Roman Empire could the information in this passage provide evidence for?

A
Church leaders and Roman emperors agreed on what Christian beliefs and behaviors were considered orthodox

B
Roman emperors had complete control over Christian leaders and could exile them for disagreement

C
Christian leaders took over some of the authority that had traditionally belonged to Roman emperors

D
The common people were unwilling to support Church leaders who contradicted the emperor's orders

Answer 1

Answer: C . Christian leaders took over some of the authority that had traditionally belonged to Roman emperors

Step-by-step explanation:

The Roman Emperor was to have absolute power over the affairs of the empire including religious activities. With Christianity becoming so powerful in Rome however, the Clergy was able to take over some of the authority that the Roman emperor traditionally held such as power over religion.

This is shown in this except where Bishop Ambrose told the emperor that he had no jurisdiction over matters of faith and so could not instruct him(Bishop) on what to do when it came to religious activities.