Eusebius church history or ecclesiastical history fills in many of the gaps in the new testament accounts of the apostolic church. Next to josephus, eusebius is the most widelyconsulted reference work on the early church. This is a contemporary, easy to read translation of eusebius. The former greek, pantodape historia, universal history is divided into two parts.
This is truly a superb translation of eusebius s the church history. Bishop eusebius, a learned scholar who lived most of his life in caesarea in palestine, broke new ground in writing the history and provided a model for all later ecclesiastical historians. The essential works, now has a companion volume in a brilliant, wordforword translation of and commentary on eusebius s great church history. Eusebius of caesarea eusebius pamphili, bishop of caesarea in palestine, the father of church history. Eusebiuss rank as the paramount chronicler and historian of his time is unchallenged, for to him we owe not only most of our knowledge of the history of the church in the first three centuries but also the transmission of many otherwise lost texts of pagan and jewish authors. It will save lengthy digression if we at once speak of a document which will often have to be referred to on account of its biographical importance, viz. It was written in koine greek, and survives also in latin, syriac and armenian manuscripts. This new, highly affordable paperback edition includes maiers bestselling translation, historical commentary on each book of the church history, and ten maps and illustrations often called the father of church history, eusebius was the first to trace the rise of christianity during its crucial first three centuries from christ to constantine. Paul speaks of this linus in his epistles to timothy.
Beginning with jesus of nazareth and ending with constantine the great, the first christian emperor in the early part of the fourth century, eusebius presents a panorama of apostles, church. Eusebius s rank as the paramount chronicler and historian of his time is unchallenged, for to him we owe not only most of our knowledge of the history of the church in the first three centuries but also the transmission of many otherwise lost texts of pagan and jewish authors. In his church history or ecclesiastical history, eusebius wrote the first surviving history of the christian church as a chronologicallyordered account, based on earlier sources, complete from the period of the apostles to his own epoch. The history of the church or the church history of eusebius is a comprehensive ecclesiastical history of the christian church from the time of christ to constantine. His iconic story of the churchs origins, endurance of persecution, and ultimate triumphwith its cast of martyrs, heretics, bishops, and emperorshas profoundly shaped the. Schott thoroughly contextualizes eusebius in the most important cultural, ecclesiastical, and political currents. His era was marked by the great persecution under diocletian and his co. Christians and theology scholars will find much of interest in this volume. The book of acts records nothing beyond the first 30 years of the church, and it contains very little information about.
Rufinus produced his translation of the ten books of the church history, adding to them two books of his own composition, which brought down the narrative to the death of theodosius a. If herodotus is the father of history, then eusebius of caesarea c. His writing is very engaging, i couldnt put the book down. The problem of eusebius christian history christianity today. Eusebius was not only a recorder of history, but one of the key players at a significant turning point for the church. Full text of the ecclesiastical history of eusebius pamphilus, bishop. As the first christian historian, he recorded the colorful events and personalities that characterized christianity in its crucial first three centuries from christ to constantine. Eusebiuss groundbreaking history of the church, remains the single most important source for the history of the first three centuries of christianity and. A small part of the ecclesiastical theology iii 46 is available in english in the dissertation of john mackett, eusebius of caesareas theology of the holy spirit. This suggests that the passages quoted from josephus by eusebius and thus in rufinus translation that were more likely to influence the latin translation of josephus antiquities regarded characters mentioned in the gospels and, perhaps, especially if the character were the main subject of the passage and appeared in the gospel of matthew. And now, after this necessary introduction to our proposed history of the church, we can enter, so to speak, upon our journey, beginning with the appearance of our saviour in the flesh.
Much of our knowledge of the first three centuries of christianitythe terrible persecutions, the courageous martyrs, and the theological controversiescome from the writings of this first century historian. Indeed i will unhesitatingly say, that this is a precious addition to my growing audiobook library 1010. In their article on the latin translations of josephus on jesus, john the baptist, and james journal for the study of judaism 45, pp. I came away with a very different perception of the early church and how it progressed through the centuries, especially with respect to persecution of the early christians. An earlier history by hegesippus that he referred to has not survived. He was the firstto undertake the task of tracing the rise of christianity during its crucial firstthree centuries from christ to constantine. It is my purpose to write an account of the lines of succession of the holy apostles, as well as of the times that have elapsed from the days of our saviour to our own. 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.
He saw the empire and the imperial church as sharing a close bond with each other. Maier follows up his classic translation of josephus with a modern translation of eusebius. 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. But eusebiuss chief fame rests on the history of the christian church in ten books published in 324325, the most important ecclesiastical history of ancient times. Historia ecclesiastica or historia ecclesiae of eusebius, the bishop of caesarea was a 4thcentury pioneer work giving a chronological account of the development of early christianity from the 1st century to the 4th century. Eusebius presents the history of the church from the apostles to his own time, with special regard to the following points.
The first part greek, chronographia, annals purports to give an epitome of universal history from the sources, arranged according to nations. Eusebiuss groundbreaking history of the church, remains the single most important source for the history of the first three centuries of christianity and stands among the classics of western literature. Eusebius also records so much of history that would otherwise be lost to the sands of time. Church history curtis crenshaws thoughts and works.
Eusebius greatest contribution is historia ecclesiastica church history, an extensive history of the christian church from the time of the apostles until about a. Eusebius is remembered for his highly regarded work entitled history of the christian church. Eusebius, rufinus, and the latin antiquities peter kirby. See english translation of eusebiuss ecclesiastical history in the history of the church. Eusebiuss account is the only surviving historical record of the church during its crucial first 300 years. The history of the church translated by arthur cushman mcgiffert eusebius, arthur cushman mcgiffert on. This new, highly affordable paperback edition includes maiers bestselling translation, historical commentary on each book of the church history, and ten maps and illustrations. The time scheme correlated the history with the reigns of the roman emperors, and the scope was broad. 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. Still worth reading today for a peak at early christian life. As a result of this accomplishment, eusebius became known as the father of church history. Eusebius s account is the only surviving historical record of the church during its crucial first 300 years.
This is truly a superb translation of eusebiuss the church history. The history of the church from christ to constantine by eusebius. Edward watts, alkiviadis vassiliadis endowed chair in byzantine greek history, university of california, san diego jeremy schott is the ideal translator for eusebius s the history of the church. For christmas i received a copy of eusebius church history also known as ecclesiastical history or historia ecclesiastica it is not the version that many people have on their shelves, but a newer translation by dr paul maier. The original christian history book by the original christian historian. Eusebius is best remembered for his celebrated ecclesiastical history, which provides a history of christianity from the apostolic age down to the early fourth century. Our principal resource for earliest chrisitianity, the church history presents a panorama of apostles, church fathers, emperors, bishops, heroes, heretics, confessors, and martyrs. The essential works, now has a companion volume in a brilliant, wordforword translation of and commentary on eusebiuss great church history.
Home fathers of the church church history eusebius church history. This is an excellent translation and the list of whos who in eusebius at the end of the book is an awesome resource. Christians and theology scholars will find much of interest in this volume translated by the rev. Curterius also published a translation, but it is rather a revision of christo. The book of acts records nothing beyond the first 30 years of the church, and it contains very little information about any of the apostles, other than peter and paul.
Beginning with jesus of nazareth and ending with constantine the great, the first christian emperor in the early part. Here is a fresh, sparkling translation of eusebius of caesareas the history of the church. The new translation is very readable, and the copious footnotes extremely helpful, not to mention the many color pictures of sites and relics. The history of the church translated by arthur cushman mcgiffert. It is distinguished by jeremy schotts ability to highlight the literary dimensions of the work, to help contemporary readers understand and appreciate the cultural influences that shaped eusebiuss story of christian writers and their writings. The history of the church by eusebius of caesarea paperback.
The work was originally written in greek, although latin, armenian, and syriac versions were also preserved. It is primarily this work that earned eusebius the title of father of church history. 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. The origin of the syrian church, at edessa, is interwoven with the ac count of. Ecclesiastical history eusebius pamphilius church history. But eusebiuss chief fame rests on the history of the christian church in ten books published in 324325, the most important ecclesiastical history of ancient times, a great treasury of knowledge about the early church.
Complete eusebius church history stl librivox forum. It is generally admitted that a twofold debt is due to rufinus for the several translations. Featuring the church fathers, catholic encyclopedia, summa theologica and more. In all such cases the variation from heinichens text has been indicated in the notes. Eusebius of caesarea, historia ecclesiastica, book 1. The blessed apostles having founded and established the church, entrusted the office of the episcopate to linus. Maier for doing a masterful job in bringing this ancient work to english speaking people. Please help support the mission of new advent and get the full contents of this website as an. From nicene and postnicene fathers, second series, vol. Click anywhere in the line to jump to another position. One qualification, however, must be made to this statement. Hide browse bar your current position in the text is marked in blue. A newer translation of eusebius church history marg mowczko. The church history of eusebius, the bishop of caesarea was a 4thcentury pioneer work giving a chronological account of the development of early christianity from the 1st century to the 4th century.
Full text of the ecclesiastical history of eusebius pamphilus, bishop of cesarea, in palestine see other formats. Christophorson, who had inserted the whole appendix before this chapter, was forced to omit these words of eusebius here, lest eusebius should seem to have forgot himself. Anencletus succeeded him, and after anencletus, in the third place from the apostles, clement received the episcopate. Against marcellus and on ecclesiastical theology, fathers of the church 5, 2017.
Reviews here is a fresh, sparkling translation of eusebius of caesareas the history of the church. Maier published by kregel publications, 1999, 2007. Home fathers of the church church history eusebius book i. The two greatest historical works of eusebius are his chronicle and his church history. Eusebius of caesarea christianity knowledge base fandom. Often called the father of church history, eusebius was the first to trace the rise of christianity during its crucial first three centuries from christ to constantine. A newer translation of eusebius church history marg. Full text of the ecclesiastical history of eusebius. The present translation of the church history of eusebius has been made from heinichens second edition of the greek text, but variant readings have been adopted without hesitation whenever they have approved themselves to my judgment. Eusebius of caesarea 340 ad church history general index book i book ii book iii book iv book v. See english translation of eusebius s ecclesiastical history in the history of the church. The problem of eusebius christian history christianity. For tremendous insight into the history of the church, why not read the first church historian, eusebius, and learn from the learned, ancient historian and conservative scholar, paul maier.
Eusebius project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks read. This, too, the great moses teaches, when, as the most ancient of all the prophets, he describes under the influence of the divine spirit the creation and arrangement of the universe. Eusebius of caesarea was the bishop of caesarea in palestine during the early fourth century. Often called the father of church history, eusebius recorded crucial information about the lives of jesus disciples, the development of the new testament, roman politics, and the persecution of early christians. In sum, schott has created the new standard english translation for the history of the church. Rufinus 1 it may be read in schwartzs eusebius ii 951 f. Eusebius of caesarea, historia ecclesiastica, book 1, chapter 1. Edward watts, alkiviadis vassiliadis endowed chair in byzantine greek history, university of california, san diego jeremy schott is the ideal translator for eusebiuss the history of the church. Detailed bibliographies of modern editions and studies of eusebius. The writings of eusebius are classics which rank in significance with the works of flavius josephus.
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