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. Constantine s letter to eusebius on the preparation of copies of the holy scriptures. Church history, life of constantine, oration in praise of constantine by. Eusebius has 62 books on goodreads with 10395 ratings. Other articles where life of constantine is discussed. A book about memories of constantine is also an album of memories for me. The work provides scholars with one of the most comprehensive sources for the religious policies of constantine s reign. Throughout his life eusebius also wrote apologetic works, commentaries on the bible, and works explaining the parallels and discrepancies in the gospels.
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. History of the christian church translated by arthur cushman mcgiffert 18611933, read by david leeson. The elaborate oration of eusebius, in praise of constantine, will not be without its. 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 of secondary importance, but believing the cooperating power of deity invincible and not. 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. Quasten writes, the socalled life of constantine in four books has perhaps provoked more criticism of eusebius than any other work of his. What josephus did for the old testament and intertestamentary period, eusebius did for the new testament era and for the early years of the postbiblical church history. Eusebius also takes great pain in describing himself as very close to the emperor, when in fact, the opposite is most likely. Eusebius remained in the emperors favour, and, after constantines death in 337, he wrote his life of constantine, a panegyric that. This was a radical, revolutionary development in eusebius day. The main problem is eusebius is just too flattering of constantine. Eusebius wrote his life and preserved his letters so that his policy would continue. Hegesippus in the five books of memoirs 1227 1227 the five books of hegesippus.
The second series focuses on a variety of important church fathers, ranging from the fourth century to the eighth century. His great merit, from a christian point of view, was in legalizing christianity. Book ii covers the lives and ministry of the apostles and the rise of the church up to the destruction of jerusalem. Life of constantine by eusebius, 1999 online research.
Eusebius remained in the emperors favour throughout this time and more than once was exonerated with the explicit approval of the emperor constantine. A farther notice of the controversies raised in egypt by arius. The history of the church from christ to constantine summary. Eusebius also wrote a book on the chronology of the world entitled chronicon. The life of the blessed emperor constantine eusebius pamphilus. Writings of eusebius the life of constantine introduction. As a testament to the veracity of constantine s 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. Oct 01, 2006 in the final chapter barnes discusses the historical value of the life and provides a summary of the book s contents. He was himself imprisoned in egypt, but became bishop of caesarea about 314. Full text of the ecclesiastical history of eusebius pamphilus, bishop of cesarea, in palestine see other formats. He explores the whole range of eusebius writings, especially those composed before constantine became emperor, and shows that many attitudes usually deemed typical of the constantinian.
The first of which, the campaign against maxentius, contains perhaps the most famous scene in the life of constantine, the vision of constantine. How can i analyze the following from eusebius life of. Its introduction and commentary open up the many important issues the life of constantine raises. Victor constantinus, maximus augustus, to eusebius. For many centuries this book was the basis for the chronological history of the world.
After the fight, constantine put an end to the persecution of the christians and became a christian himself. The emperor constantine is celebrated as a saint in the orthodox church, although not the western church. Eusebius account of constantine part ii by john heitzenrater. That he reigned above thirty years, and lived above sixty. Eusebius account of constantines conversion by john. It was never completed due to the death of eusebius in 339. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read eusebius life of constantine. Eusebius views for the reign of constantine the great. Probably the second most famous, or perhaps infamous, of eusebius works was his life of constantine, an adoring biography of the political leader. This english translation is the first based on modern critical editions. Eusebius life of constantine ebook written by eusebius.
Stuart george hall annotation 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. There is a translation of eusebius in clarks theological library. Remembering constantine at the milvian bridge pdf free. Constantine waited until the end of his life to receive baptism, book 4. The last edition of the entire work of eusebius is that of dindorf, in 4 vols. 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 special points relating to these works are treated in the notes. How tiberius was affected when informed by pilate concerning christ. Secret persecution by licinius, who causes some bishops to be put to death at amasia of pontus. Life of constantine the great is a panegyric written in greek in. Eusebius moves on from the introduction to constantines military exploits for the remainder of book 1 and half of book 2. Eusebius of caesarea christianity knowledge base fandom. Eusebius s most popular book is the history of the church. 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. 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. Eusebius took part in the expulsion of athanasius of alexandria 335, marcellus of ancyra c. The life of constantine accompanies the first of these.
Also that virgil makes mention of the same, and of the birth of. Stuart george hall the emperor constantine changed the world by making the roman empire christian. Ecclesiastical history eusebius pamphilius church history. According to eusebius, constantine saw a vision of a cross rather than the letters of christ. As such, it resembles book v, which deals with the stage of the voyage that follows didos death and precedes another high point of the aeneid, aeneass encounter with the sibyl at cumae and his descent into the underworld. This book shows how, once his partisan interpretations and rhetoric are properly understood, both eusebius text and the documents it contains give vital historical insights. Oration in praise of constantine by eusebius, bishop of emesa, ca. He analyzes constantine s rise to power and his government, demonstrating how constantine s sincere adherence to christianity advanced his political aims. Eusebius of caesarea 275 may 30, 339 often called eusebius pamphili, eusebius the friend of pamphilus was a 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. Eusebius history of the christian church internet archive.
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. A comparison of constantine s piety with the wickedness of the persecutors. Barnes notes that eusebius and constantine meeting in person was a rare occurrence, as eusebius did not reside near the capital, nor did he have special access to constantine, as he claims in life of constantine. Life of constantine paperback eusebius oxford university press. Demolition of churches, and butchery of the bishops. The manner in which josephus mentions the divine books.
Constantine, whom eusebius describes later in a life of constantine and also in an oration on an important occasion later in his career, is a magnificent. The great bishop of caeseria wrote this book to describe the life and the realizations of the first christian roman emperor who changed the world history and who glorified the new religion in the huge roman empire. Constantine s 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. Eusebius presents the history of the church from the apostles to his own time, with special regard to the following points. Burckhardt called him the first thoroughly dishonest and unfair historian of ancient times.
Eusebiuss most popular book is the history of the church. The entire work is divided into two series, each with fourteen volumes. Books by eusebius author of the history of the church. A further quotation from virgil respecting christ, with its interpretation. Of his picture surmounted by a cross and having beneath it a dragon. This volume specifically contains the works of eusebius a fourth century bishop and church historian. Ecclesiastical history, volume ii eusebius harvard. Series ii volume i constantinethe life of constantine book ivchapter 36. Life of constantine vita constantini is a panegyric written in honor of constantine the great by eusebius of caeserea in the 4th century ad. Eusebius views for the reign of constantine the great 28 june 2014 eusebius s history was not written simply to record the deeds of the church after christs ascension. 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. Books iii and v, then, create with the others an overall rhythmical pattern that adds variety of pace to the epic poems. Book i discusses christology and christ as the eternal logos. How constantine was stirred in behalf of the christians thus in danger of persecution.
In book iii, eusebius examines the successors to the apostles, the writings of josephus, notable bishops, heresies, and the reception of the canon. The course pursued by the apostles after the ascension of christ. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. Farther remarks on constantine s piety, and his open testimony to the sign of the cross. The emperor constantine changed the world by making the roman empire christian. 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. To modern historians, syncretic chronological tables are taken for granted.
Life of constantine by eusebius goodreads share book. The life of the blessed emperor constantine the bagster translation, revised by ernest cushing richardson, ph. 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. How the markettown of gaza was made a city for its profession of christianity, and received the name of constantia. The life of constantine with orations of constantine and eusebius. It is like the oration of constantine, a proper part of the life of constantine being appended according to his promise in bk. Eusebius wrote his life and preserved his letters so that his policy would. For as soon as he was made acquainted with the facts which i have described, and perceived that his letter to. His history of the christian church from the ministry of jesus to 324 ce is a treasury of information, especially on the eastern centers. The work provides scholars with one of the most comprehensive sources for the religious policies of constantines reign.
The impact of constantine the great equaltotheapostles is everlasting in all the christian world. Church history, life of constantine, oration in praise of constantine by eusebius pamphilius. Barnes gives the fullest available narrative history of the reigns of diocletian and constantine. 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.
However, it was eusebius who introduced them initially and accurately in the chronicle. Redirect eusebius of caesarea 275 may 30, 339 often called eusebius pamphili, eusebius the friend of pamphilus was a 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. An earlier history by hegesippus that he referred to has not survived. 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. The life of the blessed emperor constantine, in four books, from 306 to 337 a. This is, more or less, as we learn it in school, this is how painters like raphael have shown it, and this is how it is described by eusebius, in the life of constantine 1. Eusebius of caesarea was the bishop of caesarea in palestine during the early fourth century. Constantine s letter to eusebius, in praise of his discourse concerning easter. His earlier book, proof of the gospel, makes the case for christianitys total fulfillment of old testament prophecies. Harry thurston peck, harpers dictionary of classical. How can i analyze the following from eusebius life of constantine book 3, chapter v.
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. Eusebius, bishop of caesarea from about 315 ce, was the most important writer in the age of constantine. Church history, life of constantine, oration in praise of constantine. Jun 17, 20 life of constantine vita constantini is a panegyric written in honor of constantine the great by eusebius of caeserea in the 4th century ad. 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. Writings of eusebius the life of constantine book ii. A comparison of constantines piety with the wickedness of the persecutors. The letter of constantine i to shapur ii is a diplomatic. Full text of the ecclesiastical history of eusebius. Piety, the latin pietas, was a traditional roman virtue in the aeneid, it is. He analyzes constantines rise to power and his government, demonstrating how constantines sincere adherence to christianity advanced his political aims. Thus the text of book one carefully established the chronological framework from which the tables in book two derived.
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. Although eusebius has been strongly criticized over the centuries for his support of constantine, the historians stand makes reasonable sense. Earlier versions of parts of chapters were presented as the moritz lecture at kalamazoo college, a plenary lecture at the annual conference of the north american patristics society, and a lecture at calvin college. The life of the blessed emperor constantine eusebius pamphilus, aeterna press on. Excerpt 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.
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