Roma locuta - causa finita. Authority of the Roman Bishop in the beginning of the 5th century seen through the letters of Innocent I

The thesis presents firstly the political and historical situation in the Late Roman Empire in which the Church was granted liberty. Through the historical events is shown how the theological discussions were jointed and influenced by the contemporary political situation of the Empire. Secondly, the life of the Pope Innocent I before and during his pontificate is presented and Nachleben of Innocent as a saint man, the style of his letters is involved too. In the same chapter is his pontificate described and discussed through letters, which he sent to various groups of bishops. These are divided into the following groups: Eastern bishops, bishops in Europe, boshops of Africa and the letters as a support for his friend John Chrysostom. In all these fields Innocent treats self-confidently, with the authority of the Roman bishop, but the kinds of claims to his authority depends on geographical location in which the letters are sent. Alongside the contribution of the basic introduction to the letters of the Pope Innocent I this thesis also offers the short excursion to the philological analysis and the selected theological topics (especially liturgical) of his letters