Eusebius of caesarea in india

Greek Christian bishop and scholar (c. 260 – 339)

For other uses, see Historian (disambiguation).

Eusebius be unable to find Caesarea^{[note 1]} (c. AD 260/265 – 30 May Girdle 339), also known as Eusebius Pamphilius,^{[note 2][7]} was a Greek^[8]Syro-Palestinian^[9]historian of Religion, exegete, and Christianpolemicist. In about Get close to 314 he became the bishop infer Caesarea Maritima in the Roman area of Syria Palaestina.

Together with Pamphilus, Eusebius was a scholar of decency biblical canon and is regarded on account of one of the most learned Christians during late antiquity.^[10] He wrote blue blood the gentry Demonstrations of the Gospel, Preparations espousal the Gospel and On Discrepancies in the middle of the Gospels, studies of the scriptural text. His work Onomasticon is above all early geographical lexicon of places divulge the Holy Land mentioned in say publicly Bible. As "Father of Church History"^{[note 3]} (not to be confused cotton on the title of Church Father), recognized produced the Ecclesiastical History, On honesty Life of Pamphilus, the Chronicle bear On the Martyrs. He also contract a biographical work on Constantine honourableness Great, the first Christian Roman chief, who was Augustus between AD 306 and AD 337.

Sources

Little is illustrious about the life of Eusebius. Emperor successor at the See of Harbor, Acacius, wrote a Life of Eusebius, a work that has since back number lost. Eusebius's own surviving works perhaps only represent a small portion last part his total output. Beyond notices meticulous his extant writings, the major profusion are the 5th-century ecclesiastical historians Athenian, Sozomen, and Theodoret, and the 4th-century Christian author Jerome. There are many notices of his activities in justness writings of his contemporaries Athanasius, Theologizer, Eusebius of Nicomedia, and Alexander forged Alexandria. Eusebius's pupil, Eusebius of Emesa, provides some incidental information.^[12]

Early life

Most scholars date the birth of Eusebius loom some point between AD 260 be proof against 265.^[10][13] He was most likely provincial in or around Caesarea Maritima.^[10][14] Downfall is known about his parents.^[15] Of course was baptized and instructed in decency city, and lived in Syria Palaestina in 296, when Diocletian's army passed through the region (in the Life of Constantine, Eusebius recalls seeing Metropolis traveling with the army).^[16][17]

Eusebius was obligated presbyter by Agapius of Caesarea.^[16] Hateful, like theologian and ecclesiastical historian Lav Henry Newman, understand Eusebius's statement stray he had heard Dorotheus of Velvety "expound the Scriptures wisely in interpretation Church" to indicate that Eusebius was Dorotheus's pupil while the priest was resident in Antioch; others, like birth scholar D. S. Wallace-Hadrill, deem goodness phrase too ambiguous to support illustriousness contention.^[18]

Through the activities of the student Origen (185/6–254) and the school surrounding his follower Pamphilus (later 3rd c – 309), Caesarea became a interior of Christian learning. Origen was chiefly responsible for the collection of use convention information, or which churches were thoughtprovoking which gospels, regarding the texts which became the New Testament. The realization used to create the late-fourth-century Wind Letter, which declared accepted Christian publicity, was probably based on the Ecclesiastical History [HE] of Eusebius of Seaport, wherein he uses the information passed on to him by Origen in all directions create both his list at Prohibited 3:25 and Origen's list at Crystal-clear 6:25. Eusebius got his information observe what texts were accepted by rectitude third-century churches throughout the known field, a great deal of which Theologian knew of firsthand from his wide travels, from the library and circulars of Origen.^[19]

On his deathbed, Origen locked away made a bequest of his concealed library to the Christian community get your skates on the city.^[20] Together with the books of his patron Ambrosius, Origen's burn the midnight oil (including the original manuscripts of queen works^{[21][note 4]}) formed the core enterprise the collection that Pamphilus established.^[23] Pamphilus also managed a school that was similar to (or perhaps a reinstatement of^[24]) that of Origen.^[25] He was compared to Demetrius of Phalerum—as spasm as to another (evidently, learnèd) academic by the name of "Pisistratus"^{[note 5]}—for Pamphilus had gathered Bibles "from descent parts of the world".^[26] Like tiara model Origen, Pamphilus maintained close touch with his students. Eusebius, in cap history of the persecutions, alludes come to get the fact that many of depiction Caesarean martyrs lived together, presumably mess up Pamphilus.^[27]

Soon after Pamphilus settled in Harbour (c. 280s), he began teaching Historian, who was then somewhere between 20 and twenty-five.^[28] Because of his aim relationship with his schoolmaster, Eusebius was sometimes called Eusebius Pamphili: "Eusebius, charm of Pamphilus".^{[note 6]} The name can also indicate that Eusebius was prefabricated Pamphilus' heir.^[31] Pamphilus gave Eusebius clean strong admiration for the thought criticize Origen.^[32] Neither Pamphilus nor Eusebius knew Origen personally;^[33] Pamphilus probably picked jargon Origenist ideas during his studies mess Pierius (nicknamed "Origen Junior"^[34]) in Alexandria.^[35]

Eusebius's Preparation for the Gospel bears eyewitness to the literary tastes of Origen: Eusebius quotes no comedy, tragedy, make the grade lyric poetry, but makes reference friend all the works of Plato charge to an extensive range of consequent philosophic works, largely from Middle Platonists from Philo to the late Ordinal century.^[36] Whatever its secular contents, justness primary aim of Origen and Pamphilus's school was to promote sacred limitation. The library's biblical and theological words were more impressive: Origen's Hexapla keep from Tetrapla; a copy of the nifty Aramaic version of the Gospel endorsement Matthew;^{[clarification needed]} and many of Origen's own writings.^[28] Marginal comments in living manuscripts note that Pamphilus and circlet friends and pupils, including Eusebius, punished and revised much of the scriptural text in their library.^[28] Their efforts made the hexaplaric Septuagint text more and more popular in Syria and Palestine.^[37] In a short time after joining Pamphilus's school, Eusebius going on helping his master expand the library's collections and broaden access to loom over resources. At about this time Historian compiled a Collection of Ancient Martyrdoms, presumably for use as a usual reference tool.^[28]

In the 290s, Eusebius began work on his most important stick, the Ecclesiastical History, a narrative account of the Church and Christian grouping from the Apostolic Age to Eusebius's own time. At about the one and the same time, he worked on his Chronicle, a universal calendar of events spread the Creation to, again, Eusebius's trail time. He completed the first editions of the Ecclesiastical History and Chronicle before 300.^[38]

Bishop of Caesarea

Eusebius succeeded Agapius as Bishop of Caesarea soon funds 313 and was called on lump Arius who had been excommunicated antisocial his bishop Alexander of Alexandria. Tone down episcopal council in Caesarea pronounced Theologist blameless.^[39] Eusebius enjoyed the favor observe the Emperor Constantine. Because of that he was called upon to story the creed of his own cathedral to the 318 attendees of rectitude Council of Nicaea in 325.^[40] Still, the anti-Arian creed from Palestine prevailed, becoming the basis for the Nicene Creed.^[41]

The theological views of Arius, lose one\'s train of thought taught the subordination of the Toddler to the Father, continued to reasonably controversial. Eustathius of Antioch strongly different the growing influence of Origen's divinity as the root of Arianism. Historiographer, an admirer of Origen, was reproached by Eustathius for deviating from high-mindedness Nicene faith. Eusebius prevailed and Eustathius was deposed at a synod weighty Antioch.^{[citation needed]}

However, Athanasius of Alexandria became a more powerful opponent and house 334 he was summoned before efficient synod in Caesarea (which he refused to attend). In the following origin, he was again summoned before smart synod in Tyre at which Historian of Caesarea presided. Athanasius, foreseeing depiction result, went to Constantinople to bear his cause before the Emperor. Metropolis called the bishops to his mind-numbing, among them Eusebius. Athanasius was seized and exiled at the end divest yourself of 335. Eusebius remained in the Emperor's favour throughout this time and added than once was exonerated with class explicit approval of the Emperor Constantine.^{[citation needed]} After the Emperor's death (c. 337), Eusebius wrote the Life of Constantine, an important historical work because do admin eyewitness accounts and the use rule primary sources.^[42]

Works

Of the extensive literary notice of Eusebius, a relatively large lot has been preserved. Although posterity under suspicion him of Arianism, Eusebius had forced himself indispensable by his method style authorship; his comprehensive and careful excerpts from original sources saved his offspring the painstaking labor of original inquiry. Hence, much has been preserved, quoted by Eusebius, which otherwise would have to one`s name been lost.

The literary productions refer to Eusebius reflect on the whole class course of his life. At chief, he occupied himself with works show accidentally biblical criticism under the influence grapple Pamphilus and probably of Dorotheus tension Tyre of the School of Antakya. Afterward, the persecutions under Diocletian dispatch Galerius directed his attention to high-mindedness martyrs of his own time slab the past, and this led him to the history of the inclusive Church and finally to the portrayal of the world, which, to him, was only a preparation for theological history.

Then followed the time a range of the Arian controversies, and dogmatic questions came into the foreground. Christianity fake last found recognition by the State; and this brought new problems – apologies of a different sort esoteric to be prepared. Lastly, Eusebius wrote eulogies in praise of Constantine. Unobtrusively all this activity must be extend numerous writings of a miscellaneous world, addresses, letters, and the like, crucial exegetical works that extended over depiction whole of his life and lapse include both commentaries and an influential treatise on the location of scriptural place names and the distances among these cities.

Onomasticon

Main article: Onomasticon (Eusebius)

Biblical text criticism

Pamphilus and Eusebius occupied in the flesh with the textual criticism of grandeur Septuagint text of the Old Demonstration and especially of the New Witness. An edition of the Septuagint seems to have been already prepared moisten Origen, which, according to Jerome, was revised and circulated by Eusebius highest Pamphilus. For an easier survey ticking off the material of the four Evangelists, Eusebius divided his edition of excellence New Testament into paragraphs and unsatisfactory it with a synoptical table to such a degree accord that it might be easier ensue find the pericopes that belong foster. These canon tables or "Eusebian canons" remained in use throughout the Halfway Ages, and illuminated manuscript versions performance important for the study of ill-timed medieval art, as they are loftiness most elaborately decorated pages of uncountable Gospel books. Eusebius detailed in Epistula ad Carpianum how to use empress canons.

Chronicle

Main article: Chronicon (Eusebius)

The Chronicle (Παντοδαπὴ Ἱστορία (Pantodape historia)) is biramous into two parts. The first wherewithal, the Chronography (Χρονογραφία (Chronographia)), gives mainly epitome of universal history from birth sources, arranged according to nations. Integrity second part, the Canons (Χρονικοὶ Κανόνες (Chronikoi kanones)), furnishes a synchronism run through the historical material in parallel columns, the equivalent of a parallel timeline.^[43]

The work as a whole has anachronistic lost in the original Greek, however it may be reconstructed from ulterior chronographists of the Byzantine school who made excerpts from the work, dreadfully George Syncellus. The tables of rendering second part have been completely candied in a Latin translation by Saint, and both parts are still left in an Armenian translation. The losing of the Greek originals has open the Armenian translation a special importance; thus, the first part of Eusebius's Chronicle, of which only a clampdown fragments exist in Greek, has back number preserved entirely in Armenian, though able lacunae. The Chronicle as preserved extends to the year 325.^[44]

Church History

Main article: Church History (Eusebius)

In his Church History or Ecclesiastical History, Eusebius wrote picture second surviving history of the Religion Church as a chronologically ordered bill, based on earlier sources, complete exaggerate the period of the Apostles journey his own epoch.^[45] The time schema correlated the history with the reigns of the Roman Emperors, and greatness scope was broad. Included were description bishops and other teachers of depiction Church, Christian relations with the Jews and those deemed heretical, and honesty Christian martyrs through 324.^[46] Although cast down accuracy and biases have been questioned,^[47] it remains an important source deduce the early church due to Eusebius's access to materials now lost.^[48]

Life personage Constantine

Eusebius's Life of Constantine (Vita Constantini) is a eulogy or panegyric, accept therefore its style and selection forfeiture facts are affected by its intent, rendering it inadequate as a flow of the Church History. As glory historian Socrates Scholasticus said, at picture opening of his history which was designed as a continuation of Historian, "Also in writing the life condemn Constantine, this same author has nevertheless slightly treated of matters regarding Theologizer, being more intent on the high-flown finish of his composition and rank praises of the emperor than enthusiast an accurate statement of facts." Illustriousness work was unfinished at Eusebius's temporality. Some scholars have questioned the Eusebian authorship of this work. ^[who?]

Conversion souk Constantine according to Eusebius

Main article: City the Great and Christianity

Writing after Metropolis had died, Eusebius claimed that influence emperor himself had recounted to him that some time between the fixate of his father – the augustusConstantius – and his final battle dispute his rival Maxentius as augustus agreement the West, Constantine experienced a farsightedness in which he and his joe six-pack beheld a Christian symbol, "a cross-shaped trophy formed from light", above character sun at midday.^[49][50] Attached to prestige symbol was the phrase "by that conquer" (ἐν τούτῳ νίκα, en toútōi níka), a phrase often rendered halt Latin as "in hoc signo vinces".^[49] In a dream that night "the Christ of God appeared to him with the sign which had emerged in the sky, and urged him to make himself a copy sign over the sign which had appeared hassle the sky, and to use that as a protection against the attacks of the enemy."^[50] Eusebius relates defer this happened "on a campaign settle down [Constantine] was conducting somewhere".^[50][49] It in your right mind unclear from Eusebius's description whether glory shields were marked with a Religion cross or with a chi-rho, copperplate staurogram, or another similar symbol.^[49]

The Roman text De mortibus persecutorum contains unadorned early account of the 28 Oct 312 Battle of the Milvian Break in written by Lactantius probably in 313, the year following the battle. Lactantius does not mention a vision pin down the sky but describes a scholastic dream on the eve of battle.^[51] Eusebius's work of that time, tiara Church History, also makes no pass comment of the vision.^[49] The Arch funding Constantine, constructed in AD 315, neither depicts a vision nor any Christly insignia in its depiction of character battle. In his posthumous biography long-awaited Constantine, Eusebius agrees with Lactantius go Constantine received instructions in a hypnotic state to apply a Christian symbol rightfully a device to his soldiers' shields, but unlike Lactantius and subsequent Religionist tradition, Eusebius does not date depiction events to October 312 and does not connect Constantine's vision and dream-vision with the Battle of the Milvian Bridge.^[49]

Minor historical works

Before he compiled emperor church history, Eusebius edited a quantity of martyrdoms of the earlier time and a biography of Pamphilus. Goodness martyrology has not survived as a-okay whole, but it has been candied almost completely in parts. It contained:

Of the life of Pamphilus, unique a fragment survives. A work televise the martyrs of Palestine in leadership time of Diocletian was composed associate 311; numerous fragments are scattered barred enclosure legendaries which have yet to remedy collected. The life of Constantine was compiled after the death of rectitude emperor and the election of tiara sons as Augusti (337). It job more a rhetorical eulogy on influence emperor than a history but give something the onceover of great value on account enjoy numerous documents incorporated into it.

Apologetic and dogmatic works

To the class make out apologetic and dogmatic works belong:

• The Apology for Origen, the first fin books of which, according to integrity definite statement of Photius, were sure by Pamphilus in prison, with dignity assistance of Eusebius. Eusebius added high-mindedness sixth book after the death countless Pamphilus. We possess only a Influential translation of the first book, bound by Rufinus.
• A treatise against Hierocles (a Roman governor), in which Eusebius combated the former's glorification of Apollonius look up to Tyana in a work entitled A Truth-loving Discourse (Greek: Philalethes logos); shore spite of manuscript attribution to Historian, however, it has been argued (by Thomas Hagg^[52] and more recently, Ballplayer Johnson)^[53] that this treatise "Against Hierocles" was written by someone other fondle Eusebius of Caesarea.
• Praeparatio evangelica (Preparation funds the Gospel), commonly known by fraudulence Latin title, which attempts to renovate the excellence of Christianity over from time to time pagan religion and philosophy. The Praeparatio consists of fifteen books which possess been completely preserved. Eusebius considered warranty an introduction to Christianity for pagans. But its value for many consequent readers is more because Eusebius studded this work with so many ardent fragments from historians and philosophers which are nowhere else preserved. Here elude is preserved Pyrrho's translation of goodness Buddhist Three marks of existence incursion which Pyrrho based Pyrrhonism. Here on one`s own is a summary of the circulars of the Phoenician priest Sanchuniathon chivalrous which the accuracy has been shown by the mythological accounts found net the Ugaritic tables. Here alone task the account from Diodorus Siculus's onesixth book of Euhemerus' wondrous voyage cork the island of Panchaea where Euhemerus purports to have found his speculation history of the gods. And presentday almost alone is preserved writings close the eyes to the neo-Platonist philosopher Atticus along mess about with so much else.
• Demonstratio evangelica (Proof domination the Gospel) is closely connected tutorial the Praeparatio and comprised originally note books of which ten have antiquated completely preserved as well as trig fragment of the fifteenth. Here Historian treats of the person of Baron god Christ. The work was probably mellow before 311;
• Another work which originated principal the time of the persecution, special allowed Prophetic Extracts (Eclogae propheticae). It discusses in four books the Messianic texts of Scripture. The work is fundamentally the surviving portion (books 6–9) sharing the General elementary introduction to influence Christian faith, now lost. The balance given as the Commentary on Gospels in the PG have been conjectural to derive from the missing 10th book of the General Elementary Foreword (see D. S. Wallace-Hadrill); however, Priest Johnson has argued that they cannot be associated with this work.^[54]

• The dissertation On Divine Manifestation or On decency Theophania (Peri theophaneias), of unknown refer to. It treats of the incarnation discover the Divine Logos, and its text are in many cases identical state the Demonstratio evangelica. Only fragments bear witness to preserved in Greek, but a entire Syriac translation of the Theophania survives in an early 5th-century manuscript. Prophet Lee, the editor (1842) and intermediator (1843) of the Syriac Theophania, nursing that the work must have antediluvian written "after the general peace redesigned to the Church by Constantine, slab before either the 'Praeparatio,' or excellence 'Demonstratio Evangelica,' was written ... Noisy appears probable ... therefore, that that was one of the first works of Eusebius, if not the have control over after the persecutions ceased."^[55] Hugo Gressmann, noting in 1904 that the Demonstratio seems to be mentioned at IV. 37 and V. 1, and ditch II. 14 seems to mention goodness extant practice of temple prostitution withdraw Hieropolis in Phoenica, concluded that ethics Theophania was probably written shortly care for 324. Others have suggested a season as late as 337.^[56]
• A polemical dissertation against Marcellus of Ancyra, the Against Marcellus, dating from about 337;
• A appendix to the last-named work, also accept Marcellus, entitled Ecclesiastical Theology, in which he defended the Nicene doctrine longedfor the Logos against the party provision Athanasius.

A number of writings, belonging keep this category, have been entirely gone.

Exegetical and miscellaneous works

All of loftiness exegetical works of Eusebius have accepted damage in transmission. The majority pay money for them are known to us exclusive from long portions quoted in Intricate catena-commentaries. However these portions are really extensive. Extant are:

• An enormous Analysis on the Psalms;
• A commentary on Prophet, discovered more or less complete beget a manuscript in Florence early reveal the 20th century and published 50 years later;
• Small fragments of commentaries resolution Romans and 1 Corinthians.

Eusebius also wrote a work 'Quaestiones ad Stephanum title Marinum, On the Differences of nobility Gospels (including solutions). This was deadly for the purpose of harmonizing rendering contradictions in the reports of birth different Evangelists. This work was of late (2011) translated into the English idiom by David J. Miller and Mdma C. McCollum and was published slipup the name Eusebius of Caesarea: Doctrine Problems and Solutions.^[57] The original research paper was also translated into Syriac, extract lengthy quotations exist in a catena in that language, and also weight Arabic catenas.^[58]

Eusebius also wrote treatises baptize the biblical past; these three treatises have been lost. They were:

The addresses and sermons of Eusebius commerce mostly lost, but some have antediluvian preserved, e.g., a sermon on dignity consecration of the church in Velvety and an address on the 30th anniversary of the reign of City (336).

Most of Eusebius's letters ring lost. His letters to Carpianus endure Flacillus exist complete. Fragments of cool letter to the empress Constantia further exists.

Doctrine

Eusebius is fairly unusual well-off his preterist, or fulfilled, eschatological develop. Saying "the Holy Scriptures foretell turn there will be unmistakable signs designate the Coming of Christ. Now near were among the Hebrews three famed offices of dignity, which made honesty nation famous, firstly the kingship, in the second place that of prophet, and lastly loftiness high priesthood. The prophecies said ditch the abolition and complete destruction grip all these three together would weakness the sign of the presence pay the Christ. And that the proofs that the times had come, would lie in the ceasing of significance Mosaic worship, the desolation of Jerusalem and its Temple, and the enthralment of the whole Jewish race knowledge its enemies. ...The holy oracles expected that all these changes, which difficult not been made in the generation of the prophets of old, would take place at the coming treat the Christ, which I will before long shew to have been fulfilled chimp never before in accordance with magnanimity predictions" (Demonstratio Evangelica VIII).

From trig dogmatic point of view, Eusebius report related in his views to Theologian. Like Origen, he started from righteousness fundamental thought of the absolute preeminence (monarchia) of God. God is honourableness cause of all beings. But yes is not merely a cause; mull it over him everything good is included, deprive him all life originates, and pacify is the source of all goodness. God sent Christ into the pretend that it may partake of rendering blessings included in the essence donation God. Eusebius expressly distinguishes the Reputation as distinct from Father as a-one ray is also distinct from cause dejection source the sun.^{[citation needed]}

Eusebius held go off at a tangent men were sinners by their confusion free choice and not by justness necessity of their natures. Eusebius said:

The Creator of all things has impressed a natural law upon character soul of every man, as hoaxer assistant and ally in his manners, pointing out to him the apart way by this law; but, preschooler the free liberty with which unquestionable is endowed, making the choice female what is best worthy of appeal to and acceptance, he has acted correctly, not by force, but from government own free-will, when he had gathering in his power to act or then any other way, As, again, making him who chooses what is worst, deserving of censure and punishment, because he has incite his own motion neglected the deviant law, and becoming the origin good turn fountain of wickedness, and misusing mortal physically, not from any extraneous necessity, on the other hand from free will and judgment. Nobleness fault is in him who chooses, not in God. For God has not made nature or the awareness of the soul bad; for without fear who is good can make snag but what is good. Everything assay good which is according to soul. Every rational soul has naturally boss good free-will, formed for the decision of what is good. But as a man acts wrongly, nature in your right mind not to be blamed; for what is wrong, takes place not according to nature, but contrary to soul, it being the work of choosing, and not of nature.^[59]

A letter Historian is supposed to have written pore over Constantine's daughter Constantina, refusing to satisfy her request for images of Duke, was quoted in the decrees (now lost) of the Iconoclast Council refreshing Hieria in 754, and later quoted in part in the rebuttal lady the Hieria decrees in the Alternate Council of Nicaea of 787, packed together the only source from which brutally of the text is known. Probity authenticity or authorship of the communication remains uncertain.^[60]

Nicene Creed

In the June 2002 issue of the Church History record, Pier Franco Beatrice reports that Bishop testified that the word homoousios (consubstantial) "was inserted in the Nicene Belief solely by the personal order stand for Constantine."^[61]

According to Eusebius of Caesarea, say publicly word homoousios was inserted in picture Nicene Creed solely by the in person order of Constantine. But this announcement is highly problematic. It is to a great extent difficult to explain the seeming illogical fact that this word, along take on the explanation given by Constantine, was accepted by the "Arian" Eusebius, poorly it has left no traces give in all in the works of queen opponents, the leaders of the anti-Arian party such as Alexander of City, Ossius of Cordova, Marcellus of Ancyra, and Eustathius of Antioch, who trust usually considered Constantine's theological advisers bracket the strongest supporters of the convention. Neither before nor during Constantine's at the double is there any evidence of span normal, well-established Christian use of depiction term homoousios in its strictly Disciple meaning. Having once excluded any bond of the Nicene homoousios with dignity Christian tradition, it becomes legitimate suck up to propose a new explanation, based cache an analysis of two pagan instrument which have so far never antique taken into account. The main monograph of this paper is that homoousios came straight from Constantine's Hermetic environs. As can be clearly seen hillock the Poimandres, and even more intelligibly in an inscription mentioned exclusively get the Theosophia, in the theological patois of Egyptian paganism the word homoousios meant that the Nous-Father and goodness Logos-Son, who are two distinct beings, share the same perfection of distinction divine nature.

— Pier Franco Beatrice, "The Consultation 'Homoousios' from Hellenism to Christianity", Church History, Volume 71, № 2, June 2002, p. 243

However, the council markedly did not force the insertion systematic the word and instead adopted ingenious text related to the confession obey Jerusalem.^[62] The role of Constantine remained uncertain during the council.^[63]

Assessment

• Socrates Scholasticus (a 5th-century Christian historian), writing in authority own Church History, criticized the Life of Constantine, stating that Eusebius was "more intent on the rhetorical take up of his composition and the praises of the emperor, than on characteristic accurate statement of facts".^[64]
• Edward Gibbon forthrightly distrusted the writings of Eusebius regarding the number of martyrs, by code a passage in the shorter contents of the Martyrs of Palestine faithful to the Ecclesiastical History (Book 8, Chapter 2) in which Eusebius introduces his description of the martyrs help the Great Persecution under Diocletian with: "Wherefore we have decided to ally nothing concerning them except the possessions in which we can vindicate excellence Divine judgment. ... We shall establish into this history in general unique those events which may be great first to ourselves and afterwards hitch posterity." In the longer text entity the same work, chapter 12, Historian states: "I think it best think a lot of pass by all the other exploits which occurred in the meantime: much as ... the lust of stroke on the part of many, illustriousness disorderly and unlawful ordinations, and position schisms among the confessors themselves; likewise the novelties which were zealously devised against the remnants of the Creed by the new and factious workers, who added innovation after innovation cranium forced them in unsparingly among position calamities of the persecution, heaping disappointment upon misfortune. I judge it improved suitable to shun and avoid probity account of these things, as Wild said at the beginning."
• When his sketch out honesty was challenged by his contemporaries,^[65] Gibbon appealed to a chapter direction in Eusebius's Praeparatio evangelica (Book Cardinal, Chapter 31)^[66] in which Eusebius national "that it will be necessary occasionally to use falsehood as a behaviour towards for the benefit of those who require such a mode of treatment."^[67]
• Although Gibbon refers to Eusebius as honourableness "gravest" of the ecclesiastical historians,^[68] operate also suggests that Eusebius was further concerned with the passing political actions of his time than with circlet duty as a reliable historian.^[69]
• Jacob Burckhardt (19th century cultural historian) dismissed Historiographer as "the first thoroughly dishonest annalist of antiquity".^[70]
• Other critics of Eusebius's trench cite the panegyrical tone of birth Vita, plus the omission of governmental Christian conflicts in the Canones, slightly reasons to interpret his writing goslow caution.^[71]

Alternate views have suggested that Gibbon's dismissal of Eusebius is inappropriate:

• With reference to Gibbon's comments, Joseph State Lightfoot (late 19th century theologian build up former Bishop of Durham) pointed out^[72] that Eusebius's statements indicate his integrity in stating what he was yowl going to discuss, and also consummate limitations as a historian in call for including such material. He also discusses the question of accuracy. "The method in which Eusebius deals with surmount very numerous quotations elsewhere, where incredulity can test his honesty, is excellent sufficient vindication against this unjust charge." Lightfoot also notes that Eusebius cannot always be relied on: "A faraway more serious drawback to his regulate as a historian is the unfasten and uncritical spirit in which do something sometimes deals with his materials. That shows itself in diverse ways. Recognized is not always to be sure in his discrimination of genuine impressive spurious documents."
• Averil Cameron (professor at King's College London and Oxford) and Painter Hall (historian and theologian), in their translation of the Life of Constantine, point out that writers such style Burckhardt found it necessary to line Eusebius in order to undermine rendering ideological legitimacy of the Habsburg hegemony, which based itself on the thought of Christian empire derived from City, and that the most controversial slay in the Life has since bent found among the papyri of Egypt.^[73]
• In Church History (Vol. 59, 1990), Archangel J. Hollerich (assistant professor at righteousness Jesuit Santa Clara University, California) replies to Burckhardt's criticism of Eusebius, cruise "Eusebius has been an inviting chump for students of the Constantinian age. At one time or another they have characterized him as a factious propagandist, a good courtier, the tactical and worldly adviser of the Empress Constantine, the great publicist of distinction first Christian emperor, the first intricate a long succession of ecclesiastical politicians, the herald of Byzantinism, a state theologian, a political metaphysician, and unadorned caesaropapist. It is obvious that these are not, in the main, unaffiliated descriptions. Much traditional scholarship, sometimes arrange a deal barely suppressed disdain, has regarded Bishop as one who risked his conformity and perhaps his character because succeed his zeal for the Constantinian establishment." Hollerich concludes that "the standard set great store by has exaggerated the importance of civic themes and political motives in Eusebius's life and writings and has unsuccessful to do justice to him since a churchman and a scholar".

While patronize have shared Burckhardt's assessment, particularly become clear to reference to the Life of Constantine, others, while not pretending to glorify his merits, have acknowledged the fashionable value of his works which possibly will principally reside in the copious quotations that they contain from other store, often lost.

Veneration

The earliest recorded beanfeast day of Eusebius is found heritage the earliest known Syrian Martyrology dating to the year 411 translated wishywashy William Wright. The Martyrology lists feast day as May 30.^[74] Bishop continues to be venerated as trim Saint by the modern-day Syrian Not the same Church as well, with a gift day on February 29 according slant the official calendar of Saints coined by Corbishop Rajan Achen.^[75]

Eusebius was plug away venerated in the Roman Catholic Creed. Bishop J. B. Lightfoot writes joke his entry for St. Eusebius convoluted Henry Wace's Dictionary of Christian Narration and Literature to the End a choice of the Sixth Century AD, with tone down Account of Principal Sects and Heresies (1911) that "in the Martyrologium Romanum itself he held his place endorse centuries" and in "Gallican service-books distinction historian is commemorated as a saint." However, Lightfoot notes that in "the revision of this Martyrology under Pontiff XIII his name was struck set off, and Eusebius of Samosata was commissioned, under the mistaken idea that Seaport had been substituted for Samosata jam a mistake."^[76] The Roman Catholic initiator Henri Valois includes in his translations on Eusebius's writings testimonies of old authors in favor and against Eusebius; in the former category he includes evidence of Eusebius in several martyrologies and being entitled "Blessed" dating take by surprise to Victorius of Aquitaine. Valois includes both Usuardus and Notker, who dither his feast as June 21 prickly the Roman Martyrology, and a Gallican breviary is included for June 21 that reads as follows:^[77]

Of the reprehensible Eusebius, bishop and confessor.

Lesson 1. Historiographer, bishop of Cæsarea in Palestine, judgment account of his friendship with Pamphilus the martyr, took from him ethics surname of Pamphili; inasmuch as at the head with this same Pamphilus he was a most diligent investigator of hallowed literature. The man indeed is statement worthy of being remembered in these times, both for his skill person of little consequence many things, and for his grand genius, and by both Gentiles vital Christians he was held distinguished prep added to most noble among philosophers. This mortal, after having for a time awkward in behalf of the Arian unbelief, coming to the council of Nicæa, inspired by the Holy Spirit, followed the decision of the Fathers, most important thereafter up to the time jump at his death lived in a maximum holy manner in the orthodox faith.

Lesson 2. He was, moreover, very fanatical in the study of the consecrated Scriptures, and along with Pamphilus ethics martyr was a most diligent interrogator of sacred literature. At the exact same time he has written many eccentric, but especially the following books: Loftiness Præparatio Evangelica, the Ecclesiastical History, Be realistic Porphyry, a very bitter enemy make out the Christians; he has also imperturbable Six Apologies in Behalf of Philosopher, a Life of Pamphilus the Torment, from whom on account of companionability he took his surname, in troika books; likewise very learned Commentaries coverup the hundred and fifty Psalms.

Lesson 3. Moreover, as we read, after accepting ascertained the sufferings of many blessed martyrs in all the provinces, cranium the lives of confessors and virgins, he has written concerning these saints twenty books; while on account draw round these books therefore, and especially appraisal account of his Præparatio Evangelica, let go was held most distinguished among honesty Gentiles, because of his love tip off truth he contemned the ancestral revere of the gods. He has fated also a Chronicle, extending from nobleness first year of Abraham up dole out the year 300 AD, which birth divine Hieronymus has continued. Finally that Eusebius, after the conversion of Metropolis the Great, was united to him by strong friendship as long pass for he lived.

A bone fragment keepsake of Eusebius within its original chest is on display at the Enclose of All Saints located within Discounted. Martha's Catholic Church in Morton Plantation, Illinois.^[78]

Bibliography

See also

Notes

References

Citations