As ruler of the church of Alexandria and president of the Third Ecumenical Council of 431, Cyril was one of the most powerful men in the fifth century, an important thinker who defined the concept of christological orthodoxy for the next two centuries. A controversial figure, he is also often regarded as an unscrupulous, power-hungry cleric who was responsible for the overthrow of an archbishop and the murder of a female philosopher. The first detailed survey in English of Cyril's life and work, Cyril of Alexandria presents key selections of the writings of this complex figure, all freshly translated and put into context by an introduction that outlines his life and times, his scholastic method, his doctrine, and his significant influence on the Christian tradition.