In this brief introduction to the life and works of this important leader of the early church, we gain a more accurate picture of the circumstances and pressures which were brought to bear on his pontificate. A brief introduction surveys the scanty sources which document Leo's early life, and sets his pontificate in its historical context, as the Western Roman Empire went into serious decline, and Rome lost its former status as the western capital.

Acknowledgements Abbreviations Introduction: 1. Leo's Life and Times 2. Pastoral Caregiver 3. Theologian and Opponent of Heresy 4. Heir of St Peter 5. Administrator of the Wider Church Texts: General Introduction to the Translations 6. Pastoral Caregiver Homily 87 on the September Fast Homily 85 on the Feast of St Lawrence Homily 27 on the Feast of the Nativity Homily 69 on Holy Saturday 7. Theologian and Opponent of Heresy Homily 16 on the December Fast Homily 73 on the Ascension Letter 15 to Turibius, Bishop of Astorga Letter 28 to Flavian, Bishop of Constantinople Letter 124 to the Monks of Palestine 8. Heir of St Peter Homily 82B on the Feast of the Apostles Homily 84 on the Anniversary of Alaric's Sack of Rome Letter 6 to Anastasius, Metropolitan of Thessalonica Homily 4 on the Anniversary of Leo's Ordination 9. Administrator of the Wider Church Letter 2 to Septimus, Bishop of Altinum Letter 108 to Theodore, Bishop of Fréjus Letter 137 to Emperor Marcian Letter 167 to Rusticus, Bishop of Narbonne Letter 170 to Gennadius, Bishop of Constantinople NotesBibliography Index