The Rise and Fall of John Chrysostom

In the late 390s and early 400s, Emperor Arcadius was dominated by a shifting cast of ministers and generals. The only real challenge to her authority came from an incorruptible clergyman who had risen to become Bishop of Constantinople. He liked to use simple language to teach practical interpretations of Scripture rather than using highfalutin rhetoric. John Chrysostom quickly became a favorite of the common people.