These make up the remainder of the second book see cameron and hall, life of constantine. Using his own words and his use of a plato quote, some have argued that he admitted to lying for the greater good. The emperor constantine changed the world by making the roman empire christian. He is mostly know for his 20 volume work entitled ecclesiastical history, being a history of christianity from the messiah to the year 324 a. The life of constantine compiled and edited by ben potter introductions by ben potter, amy zahn, natalia klimczak original text by eusebius the major questions that hang in the air and feed the fires of academic debate are those such as. Eusebius also lays down his method in book i, chapter 1, where he modestly. Writings of eusebius the life of constantine book ii. In the name of the father, and the son, and one, two, three. Writings of eusebius the life of constantine book ii writings of eusebius the life of constantine book ii. I am most certainly persuaded that i myself owe my life, my every breath, in short, my very inmost and secret thoughts, entirely to the favor of the supreme god. The emperors letter to eusebius praising him for refusing the bishopric of antioch.
Others have accused him of being a sloppy historian. Although eusebius only met constantine 4 times and received 6 letters, which reflect respect but not intimacy, he had access to documents after 324, yet glosses over the bloody succession to power by constantine s 3 sons. Chapter 19 of book ii acts as a transition, starting with the fall of licinius and then moving on to detail constantine s decrees and letters for one such example, see the commentary on ii. Emperors who preceded constantine relied heavily on the popular, and sometimes unpopular, tenets of polytheistic state religions, religions which used superstition, power, and human virtue, to expand conquests, boarders, and immorality. At any rate eusebius hold on the gospel history was firm and sure. Eusebius made false representations about these figures in the academy of plato, in that they were christian. This study of the roman empire in the age of constantine offers a thoroughly new assessment of the part christianity played in the roman world of the third and fourth centuries. He had an evangelical sense of the value of all the words and deeds of the incarnate christ. In book xiii eusebius quotes with approval plato s opinions on the absurdities of greek mythology in the timaeus, republic, and eutliyphron chapters 15, on stedfast adherence to truth even unto death in the crito xxiv and the apology of socrates chapters 611, adding the testimonies of aristobulus and clement to the agreement of plato and. The first of which, the campaign against maxentius, contains perhaps the most famous scene in the life of constantine, the vision of constantine.
Constantines letter to eusebius and other bishops, respecting the building of churches, with instructions to repair the old, and erect new ones on a larger scale, with the aid of the provincial governors. Throughout his life eusebius also wrote apologetic works, commentaries on the bible, and works explaining the parallels and discrepancies in the gospels. The work provides scholars with one of the most comprehensive sources for the religious policies of constantine s reign. The elaborate oration of eusebius, in praise of constantine, will not be without its. See all books authored by eusebius, including an ecclesiastical history to the twentieth year of the reign of constantine, tr. This is a preliminary version of a bibliography of secondary literature on origen, eusebius, and early christian scholarship. No one can read the third book without realizing that eusebius had an interest in the earthly life of our lord that effectually neutralized the dangers of gnostic abstract speculation. Constantine waited until the end of his life to receive baptism, book 4. A comparison of constantines piety with the wickedness of the persecutors. These make up the remainder of the second book see cameron and hall, life of constantine, p. Death of constantius, who leaves his son constantine emperor. He was a close counselor to the roman emperor constantine and eusebius wrote a very favorable biography of him, which led later historians to challenge his bias.
Eusebius account of constantine part ii by john heitzenrater. His history of the christian church from the ministry of jesus to 324 ce is a treasury of information, especially on the eastern centers. Gutzman, bishop eusebius of caesarea and his life of constantine. Constantines letter to the antiochians, directing them not to withdraw eusebius from c. Eusebius wrote his life and preserved his letters so that his policy would continue. Eusebius account of constantines conversion by john. Those popular works are eusebius church history, the life of constantine the.
He had the imperial archives at his disposal 312 to 324 ce. Oration in praise of constantine see other formats. Constantines letter to the council, depreciating the removal of eusebius from c. Eusebius reports that diocletian made an expedition against egypt, which had risen in rebellion in the year 296 a. Life of constantine was a very interesting book to me, and it contained many of the elements that i liked about eusebius s history of the churchlong quotations of source material. According to his reading of republic 377c 378d and timaeus 40d 41a. This english translation is the first based on modern critical editions. The ninth book was completed between the defeat of maxentius in 312, and constantine s first rupture with licinius in 314. Finally, i will conclude by considering what the neoplatonic lives and eusebius pe can tell us about the points of con. The main problem is eusebius is just too flattering of constantine. I dont find any reason to doubt eusebius when he states that constantine did indeed function as a bishop outside the church, as history, and the synodal decrees.
Eusebius moves on from the introduction to constantine s military exploits for the remainder of book 1 and half of book 2. Ecclesiastical history, volume ii eusebius harvard. The alternate theory of christianity has as its basis the postulate that eusebius wrote not history, but fiction. He lived in caesarea which is now day israel near tel aviv.
It was never completed due to the death of eusebius in 339. Socrates and sozomen write about eusebius death, and place it just before constantine s son constantine ii or constantine the younger died, which was in early 340. In eusebius of caesarea in 337, he wrote his life of constantine, a panegyric that possesses some historical value, chiefly because of its use of primary sources. At the sight, he himself was struck with amazement and his whole army also. Life of the blessed emperor constantine, book ii, chapters 2629 for more on the life of this amazing. Church history, life of constantine the great, and ora. Eusebius, bishop of caesarea from about 315 ce, was the most important writer in the age of constantine. Eusebius also wrote a book on the chronology of the world entitled chronicon. The only english version previously available is based on a. In this manner that spirit who is the hater of good, actuated by envy at the blessing enjoyed by the church, continued to raise against her the stormy troubles of intestine discord, in the midst of a period of peace and joy. He analyzes constantine s rise to power and his government, demonstrating how constantine s sincere adherence. Eusebius life of constantine ebook written by eusebius. Constantine saw with his own eyes the trophy of a cross of light in the heavens, above the sun, and bearing this inscription. Eusebius, the life of the blessed emperor constantine.
The foundation of constantinople by constantine in 324 and its quick development. Hollerich, the comparison of moses and constantine in eusebius of caesareas life of constantine, studia patristica 10 1989. For many centuries this book was the basis for the chronological history of the world. Like very many other things which eusebius tells of constantine, that which was entirely. Eusebiuss christianization of the the apostolic lineage.
They also say that it was after the second banishment of athanasius, which began in mid 339. Secret persecution by licinius, who causes some bishops to be put to death at amasia of pontus. Eusebius quotes author of the history of the church. Eusebius life of constantine vita constantini is a eulogy or panegyric, and therefore its style and selection of facts are affected by its purpose, rendering it inadequate as a continuation of the church history. The life of the blessed emperor constantine the bagster translation, revised by ernest cushing richardson, ph. The first is slanderous concerning aristotles private life, namely that he. In both cases the rendering lie makes perfect sense, in the context of what plato wanted to say. Further on the same subject from the second book of the republic. Church history, life of constantine, oration in praise of constantine. We would like to make it clear that this bibliography lists only works that were either written in english or have been translated into english. Its introduction and commentary open up the many important issues the life of constantine raises. Eusebius pamphilus of caesarea was a great christian historian and bible critic that contributed immensely to the modern bible we have today.
But the text is discussing parallels between the bible and the theories of plato on education, and eusebius is suggesting that the bible also contains such material. What plato thought of the theology of the ancients p. In this passage eusebius is quoting, in the body of the text, a passage from platos laws, book ii, and the same word is used there. Eusebius lived during the period when one of the most dramatic events in the churchs existence occurred. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read eusebius life of constantine. The history of the apostolic time to the destruction of jerusalem by titus. Barnes gives the fullest available narrative history of the reigns of diocletian and constantine. I would desire never to be forgetful of the gratitude due to his grace.
Eusebius, life of constantine amazingly, we now have a visible noonday spectacle that. Oration in praise of constantine by eusebius, bishop of emesa, ca. Life of constantine vita constantini is a panegyric written in honor of constantine the great by eusebius of caeserea in the 4th century ad. This work has been most unjustly blamed, from the time of socrates downwards, because it is a panegyric rather than a history. Schottfounding platonopolis 503 shared a common context. In the final chapter barnes discusses the historical value of the life and provides a summary of the book s contents. Church history, life of eusebius pamphilius constantine, oration in praise of constantine.
The only english version previously available is based on a seventeenthcentury greek. The historical integrity of eusebius of caesarea quote. Parker, and the historians of ancient rome, and more on. Eusebius life of constantine is the most important single record of constantine, the emperor who turned the roman empire from prosecuting the church to supporting it, with huge and lasting consequences for europe and christianity. He was born around 260 to 265 and died around 339 to 340 ad. Being convinced, however, that he needed some more powerful aid than his military forces could afford him, on account of the wicked and magical enchantments which were so diligently practiced by the tyrant, he sought divine assistance, deeming the possession of arms and a numerous soldiery. This postulate essentially makes the claim that eusebius of caesarea invented the history of christianity under sponsorship of the supreme imperial commander of the roman empire, constantine i. The controversy over the books of origen were as a result of the christianization of origen by eusebius. Life of constantine by eusebius goodreads share book. Eusebius life of constantine tells the life, military campaigns, and final conversion to christianity of the emperor constantine.
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