Leo the Great,--founder of the Catholic Empire General aim of the Catholic Church The Church the guardian of spiritual principles Theocratic aspirations of the Popes Origin of ecclesiastical power; the early Popes Primacy of the Bishop of Rome Necessity for some higher claim after the fall of Rome Early life of Leo Elevation to the Papacy; his measures; his writings His persecution of the Manicheans Conservation of the Faith by Leo Intercession with the barbaric kings; Leo's intrepidity Desolation of Rome Designs and thoughts of Leo The _jus divinum_ principle; state of Rome when this principle was advocated Its apparent necessity The influence of arrogant pretensions on the barbarians They are indorsed by the Emperor The government of Leo The central power of the Papacy Unity of the Church No rules of government laid down in the Scriptures Governments the result of circumstances The Papal government the need of the Middle Ages The Papacy in its best period Greatness of Leo's character and aims Fidelity of his early successors, and perversions of later Popes Authorities LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS VOLUME IV. The Conversion of Paula by St. Jerome. _After the painting by L. Alma-Tadema_. Archery Practice of a Persian King. _After the painting by F.A. Bridgman_. Tomyris Plunges the Head of the Dead Cyrus into a Vessel of Blood. _After the painting by A. Zick_. Julius Caesar. _From the bust in the National Museum, Rome_. Surrender of Vercingetorix, the Last Chief of Gaul. _After the painting by Henri Motte_. Marcus Aurelius. _From a photograph of the statue at the Capitol, Rome_. Persecution of Christians in the Roman Arena. _After the painting by G. Mantegazza_. St. Jerome in His Cell. _After the painting by J.L. Gérôme_. St. Chrysostom Condemns the Vices of the Empress Eudoxia. _After the painting by Jean Paul Laurens_. St. Ambrose Refuses the Emperor Theodosius Admittance to His Church. _After the painting by Gebhart Fügel_. St. Augustine and His Mother. _After the painting by Ary Scheffer_. Invasion of the Goths into the Roman Empire. _After the painting by O. Fritsche_. Invasion of the Huns into Italy. _After the painting by V. Checa_. BEACON LIGHTS OF HISTORY * * * * * CYRUS THE GREAT. * * * * * 559-529 B.C. ASIATIC SUPREMACY.