The emperor constantine changed the world by making the roman empire christian. I feel as though most people may take this reading, as only a theological statement, especially. Constantines letter to shapur ii, its authenticity, occasion. The manner in which josephus mentions the divine books. The life of the blessed emperor constantine the bagster translation, revised by ernest cushing richardson, ph. Only eusebius gives a full account of constantine s dream on the 28th of october 312.
Life of constantine by eusebius, 1999 online research. Life of constantine the life of constantine, written by eusebius of caesarea 260339 c. He was a prominent personality during the period when christianity was recognized by constantine the great, ending the persecutions, and he participated in the first council of nicea. Study the thought and theology of the early church with writings from the father of church history. Victor constantinus, maximus augustus, to alexander and arius. The catholic church refers to him as the father of church history because he is known as one of the most important historians of the christian church. Eusebius of caesarea 260265 339340 ad is sometimes called the father of church history. It was delivered in the year 336 or possibly 335 at constantinople, in celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of constantines accession. The life of constantine accompanies the first of these. Constantines letter to the council, depreciating the removal of eusebius from c. Death of constantius, who leaves his son constantine emperor. Eusebius account of constantines conversion by john.
Demolition of churches, and butchery of the bishops. This error, called the arian heresy, is taught by the roman catholic church. Constantine wanted a bible which would be acceptable to pagans as well as christians, and eusebius the bishop of caesaria and a follower of origen was assigned to direct this task. Piety, the latin pietas, was a traditional roman virtue in the aeneid, it is vergils most. This work has been most unjustly blamed, from the time of socrates downwards, because it is a panegyric rather than a history. Interestingly, it is in the speech that eusebius attaches to the life of constantine that we come upon constantines own use of moses. Life of constantine was a very interesting book to me, and it contained many of the elements that i liked about eusebiuss history of the churchlong quotations of source material. A scholar of the biblical canon, he was appointed bishop of caesarea in ad 314, and he spent his life writing about the gospel and church history. The work provides scholars with one of the most comprehensive sources for the religious policies of constantine. Ad 260265 339340, also known as eusebius pamphili from the greek. There is a further implied analogy in book ii of the life, where eusebius depicts constantine retiring.
The editions and translations of this work are substantially identical with those of the life, above, but some of the earlier ones do not contain the work. The christianization of the roman empire under constantine. In addition to his life of constantine, he also wrote the ecclesiastical history, which is the. Eusebius rejected the deity of christ and claimed that christ was a created being. His exact date and place of birth are unknown, and little is known of his youth. In the final chapter barnes discusses the historical value of the life and provides a summary of the books contents. With respect to the duration of his reign, god honored him with three complete periods of ten years, and something more, extending the whole term of his mortal life to twice this number of years. 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. Eusebiuss writings are very much in favor of constantine and what he did. Parker, and the historians of ancient rome, and more on. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. As a testament to the veracity of constantines piety, eusebius goes to great lengths to show how his love for wisdomthe logos, orations, ii 12 matures over the course of his life, thereby allowing him to make a profession of faith, which resembles very closely the profession of faith of the council of nicaea. Gutzman, bishop eusebius of caesarea and his life of constantine. A historical study and new translation of eusebius tricennial orations berkeley, 1976, 83127.
For in that city some of the churches, for the second time since the commencement of the persecutions, were leveled with the ground, and others were closed by the governors of the several districts, in order to prevent any who frequented them from assembling together, or rendering due worship to god. Throughout his life eusebius also wrote apologetic works, commentaries on the bible, and works explaining the parallels and discrepancies in the gospels. In order to support his paraphrase of constantines speeches vc 4. It happens, through the favoring providence of god our saviour, that great numbers have united themselves to the most holy church in the city which is called by my name. Life of constantine the great is a panegyric written in greek in. His ecclesiastical history was a chronicle of christianity from jesus to constantines success in taking over the roman empire. It was never completed due to the death of eusebius in 339. Oration in praise of constantine by eusebius, bishop of emesa, ca. Though gushing in its praise for constantine and sparse in its criticism of the darker aspects of his reign, this work is nonetheless the best and. 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. The tone somewhat seems to be giving high praise to constantine commenting on the deeds of constantine. One gets less a sense of christianity and more the feeling of sycophancy. Hollerich, the comparison of moses and constantine in eusebius of caesareas life of constantine, studia patristica 10 1989. Piety, the latin pietas, was a traditional roman virtue in the aeneid, it is.
Eusebius of caesareas life of constantine is hagiography at its worst. The second series focuses on a variety of important church fathers, ranging from the fourth century to the eighth century. See all books authored by eusebius, including an ecclesiastical history to the twentieth year of the reign of constantine, tr. Bishop eusebius was a scholar of history and theology. Eusebius of caesarea circa 275 to 339 was bishop of caesarea in palestine and is often referred to as the father of church history because of his work in recording the history of the early christian church. I have, therefore, retained the conventional consecutive numbering of the. The special points relating to these works are treated in the notes.
While, therefore, he regarded the entire world as one immense body, and perceived that the head of it all, the royal city of the roman empire, was bowed down by the weight of a tyrannous oppression. Barnes gives the fullest available narrative history of the reigns of diocletian and constantine. The life of constantine the life of constantine by. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. He analyzes constantine s rise to power and his government, demonstrating how constantine s sincere adherence. Constantine s letter to eusebius on the preparation of copies of the holy scriptures. The book covers the history of christianitys first three centuries, from. Constantines letter to eusebius on the preparation of copies of the holy scriptures. Eusebius himself played a role in the most significant event of christianity in the fourth century. Its author, eusebius, bishop of caesarea in palestine, often, though mistakenly, regarded on the strength of it as constantines official propagandist. Victor constantinus, maximus augustus, to theodotus, theodorus, narcissus, aetius, alpheus, and the rest of the bishops who are at antioch. 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.
Victor constantinus, maximus augustus, to eusebius. This volume specifically contains the works of eusebius a fourth century bishop and church historian. Amanda lawonn after reading this selection from the life of constantine by eusebius, it is easy to see why one might interpret this as either an account of history or more of a theological statement or both. Constantine s letter to alexander the bishop, and ariusthe presbyter. He became the bishop of caesarea maritima about 314 ad. The entire work is divided into two series, each with fourteen volumes. Telfer has recently suggested to render the greek title in some such form as reflections on the life of constantine studia patristica i, p. He analyzes constantines rise to power and his government, demonstrating how constantines sincere adherence. That he reigned above thirty years, and lived above sixty. Jan 18, 2015 eusebius of caesareas life of constantine is hagiography at its worst. Eusebius claim accompanied his opinion that constantine was the chosen agent of god, that constantine had been crowned with the virtues which are inherent in god, and that constantine received in his soul the emanations that come from god. On this the two drafts of eusebius vita constantini, in from eusebius to. Harry thurston peck, harpers dictionary of classical. 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.
The emperor constantine is celebrated as a saint in the orthodox church, although not. Constantines letter to eusebius, in praise of his discourse concerning easter. Oration in praise of constantine by eusebius pamphilius. The last edition of the entire work of eusebius is that of dindorf, in 4 vols. 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. Notes on the genuineness of the constantinian documents in eusebius s life of constantine. How the markettown of gaza was made a city for its profession of. From nicene and postnicene fathers, second series, vol. The work known as the life of constantine is the most important source for the reign of constantine the great and particularly for his support of christianity. The history of the church was written by eusebius of caesarea 263 339. The history of the church from christ to constantine summary. Eusebius wrote his life and preserved his letters so that his policy would continue.
It is like the oration of constantine, a proper part of the life of constantine being appended according to his promise in bk. His association of constantine to moses shows how highly he thinks of the emperor that delivered the holy people out from under the grasp of a violent. He is famous for his writings, particularly his church history or ecclesiastical history historia ecclesiastica. Its introduction and commentary open up the many important issues the life of constantine raises. An earlier history by hegesippus that he referred to has not survived. Eusebius of caesarea the life of the blessed emperor constantine.
Eusebius of caesarea was the bishop of caesarea in palestine during the early fourth century. 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. This volume specifically contains the works of eusebiusa fourth century bishop and church historian. Eusebius life of constantine ebook written by eusebius. The only english version previously available is based on a seventeenthcentury greek edition, but two new critical editions produced this century make a new. Constantines letter to alexander the bishop, and ariusthe presbyter.
A scholar of the biblical canon, he was appointed bishop of caesarea in ad 314, and he. Nov 04, 2015 eusebiuss writings are very much in favor of constantine and what he did. It is by no eusebius life of constantine, in the making of orthodoxy. The ninth book was completed between the defeat of maxentius in 312, and constantine s first rupture with licinius in 314. Personal, i can see both sides in the information presented. Writings of eusebius the life of constantine book ii. Life of constantine by eusebius meet your next favorite book. Although the work had been commissioned by pope julius ii 150315. Church history, life of constantine, oration in praise of constantine by eusebius pamphilius.
Its author, eusebius, bishop of caesarea in palestine, often, though mistakenly, regarded on the strength of it as constantine s official propagandist. He was himself imprisoned in egypt, but became bishop of caesarea about 314. In a semibiographical work eusebius uses the story of constantine to defend and preach the benefits of christianity. The emperor is acclaimed for each and every virtue. Other articles where life of constantine is discussed. The panegyric and the treatise are separate works, but they are normally edited together as an appendix to the life of constantine. Church history, life of eusebius pamphilius constantine, oration in praise of constantine. Home fathers of the church life of constantine eusebius life of constantine. Bishop eusebius united christianity ideologically with rome. 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 constantines 3 sons. E is a story written in the memory of constantine the great. The father of constantine, then, is said to have possessed such a character as we have briefly described.
How the markettown of gaza was made a city for its profession of christianity, and received the name of constantia. Vita constantini is a panegyric written in greek in honor of constantine the great by eusebius of caesarea in the 4th century ad. Eusebius of caesareas oration in praise of constantine as the political philosophy of the christian empire date of final oral examination. I call that god to witness, as well i may, who is the helper of my endeavors, and the preserver of all men, that i had a twofold reason for undertaking that duty which i have now performed. The main problem is eusebius is just too flattering of constantine. At the council of nicaea in 325 he sat by the emperor, led a party of moderates, and made the first draft of the famous creed.
The letter of constantine i to shapur ii is a diplomatic. Secret persecution by licinius, who causes some bishops to be put to death at amasia of pontus. The life of constantine is a panegyrical biography of constantine the great, written by his friend and admirer, eusebius pamphilus, bishop of caesarea a few years after the emperors death in ad 337. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read eusebius life of constantine.
It seems, therefore, highly requisite, since that city is rapidly advancing in prosperity in all other respects, that the number of churches should also be increased. This english translation is the first based on modern critical editions. There is a translation of eusebius in clarks theological library. Constantine s letter to eusebius, in praise of his discourse concerning easter.
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