Eusebius of caesarea was the bishop of caesarea in palestine during the early fourth century. The german and sarmatian campaigns of constantine were fought by the roman emperor constantine i against the neighbouring germanic peoples, including the franks, alemanni and goths, as well as the sarmatian iazyges, along the whole roman northern defensive system to protect the empires borders, between 306 and 336. The life of the blessed emperor constantine book depository. These roman borders were very porous, and there was a lot of movement back and forth, especially in the middle danube. It is like the oration of constantine, a proper part of the life of constantine being appended according to his promise in bk. The work must have been written soon after the council at which marcellus was condemned. In his church history, written shortly after the battle, when eusebius hadnt yet had contact with constantine, he doesnt mention any dream or vision, but compares the defeat of maxentius drowned in the tiber to that of the biblical pharaoh and credits constantines victory to divine protection.
Writings of eusebius the life of constantine book ii. Life of constantine, oration in praise of constantine toggle navigation. He orders the sign of the saviours cross to be engraven on his soldiers. Eusebius of caesarea died in 339 gave two different accounts of the events. He orders the sign of the saviours cross to be engraven on his soldiers shields. He made the persecution of christians illegal by signing the edict of milan in 3 and helped spread the religion by bankrolling churchbuilding projects, commissioning new copies of the bible, and summoning councils of theologians to hammer out the religions doctrinal kinks. 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. In his later life of constantine, eusebius gives a detailed account of a vision and stresses that he had heard the story from the emperor himself.
Eusebius wrote his life and preserved his letters so that his policy would continue. Constantines vision according to eusebius the bart ehrman blog. Many people today, especially many freethinkers and atheists, wrongly believe that the roman emperor constantine i lived 272 337 ad was the one who decided which books would be included in the new testament. He was the first christian emperor and saw the empire begin to become a christian state. There are also coins depicting apollo driving the chariot of the sun on a shield constantine is holding and another in 312 shows the christian chirho on a helmet constantine is wearing.
Victor constantinus, maximus augustus, to theodotus, theodorus, narcissus, aetius, alpheus, and the rest of the bishops who are at antioch. The course pursued by the apostles after the ascension of christ. Secret persecution by licinius, who causes some bishops to be put to death at amasia of pontus. This english translation is the first based on modern critical editions. Van dams research is both broad and rich, his argument is original, and his approach is at once innovative and refreshing. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read eusebius life of constantine. Did constantine decide what books belonged in the bible.
The life of the blessed emperor constantine eusebius pamphilus in four books. Writings of eusebius the life of constantine introduction. There are at least 3 different surviving ancient versions of this battle in greater detail. Constantine with the oration of constantine to the assembly of saints and the.
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. Constantines letter to the council, depreciating the removal of eusebius from c. Eusebius life of constantine ebook written by eusebius. The work provides scholars with one of the most comprehensive sources for the religious policies of constantine s reign. Remembering constantine at the milvian bridge by raymond. Prophetic interpretations of constantines labarum coin this remarkable event the edict of milan was regarded by christians of that time, and by constantine himself, as the fulfillment of the very prophecy before us. Life of the blessed emperor constantine internet history. Missorium depicting emperor constantines son constantius ii accompanied by a guardsman with the chirho depicted on his shield at left, behind the horse. To which demonax responded, if only hed made you a greek rather than a roman. Eusebius account of constantines conversion by john. Episode 3 constantines vision the renaissance times. 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. In this way the goths learnt at last to serve rome.
He was himself imprisoned in egypt, but became bishop of caesarea about 314. Eusebiuss description of constantines moment of conversion is a very memorable part of the book. Demolition of churches, and butchery of the bishops. For many centuries this book was the basis for the chronological history of the world. Also in the book of deer, the book of durrow, the corpus irish gospel, ae 2 of magnentius.
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. The work provides scholars with one of the most comprehensive sources for the religious policies of constantines reign. On, explore the the life of roman emperor constantine i, who ruled early in the 4th century. 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. Though criticized as mere panegyric lionizing constantine s virtues while ignoring his flaws, eusebius s life is nonetheless the most substantial and detailed biography of the. 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. It is plain enough from the contents of the two chapters that the titles have in some way become transposed in the mss. How god honors pious princes, but destroys tyrants. Eusebius of caesarea in palestine the roman empire offered many cities with the name, sometimes known as pamphilus or the son of pamphilus, was born a little after a. How the markettown of gaza was made a city for its profession of christianity, and received the name of constantia. See respecting this, eusebius, life of constantine, book i. Eusebius lived during the period when one of the most dramatic events in the churchs existence occurred.
Constantines life and actions after the edict of milan. Details about constantius ii son of constantine the great w labarum ancient roman coin i50758. Both authors agree that the sign was not readily understandable as denoting christ, which corresponds with the fact that there is no certain evidence of the use of the letters chi and rho as a christian sign before. Letter of constantine augustus to sapor, king of the persians, containing a truly pious.
This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. Constantines letter to the antiochians, directing them not to withdraw eusebius from c. Eusebius also wrote a book on the chronology of the world entitled chronicon. The life of the blessed emperor constantine was penned shortly after the emperors death in ad 337 by the great church historian eusebius pamphilus, bishop of caesarea. Evidently, eusebius could accept constantines claim to be another bishop he liked it enough not only to quote it in book four of the life, but even to use it himself at the beginning of that work, where he described constantine as acting like a universal bishop appointed by god. After the fight, constantine put an end to the persecution of the christians and became a christian himself. Knowing well that he would need more powerful aid than an army can supply, he contantine sought a god to aid himthis god he began to.
Oration in praise of constantine see other formats. Throughout his life eusebius also wrote apologetic works, commentaries on the bible, and works explaining the parallels and discrepancies in the gospels. Chi rho, chrismon, monogram of christ, or labarum early. Constantine saw with his own eyes the trophy of a cross of light in the heavens, above the sun, and bearing this inscription. This work is still extant, and is given by mangey, ii. The life of constantine with orations of constantine and eusebius. The main problem is eusebius is just too flattering of constantine. 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.
He is become my helper and my shield unto salvation. The emperors letter to eusebius praising him for refusing the bishopric of antioch. The oration of the emperor constantine bible study tools. Secret persecution by licinius, who causes some bishops. This video offers an account of the vision as related to eusebius. God during his whole life, had formal i him to be the saviour and protector of his empire. Eusebius also takes great pain in describing himself as very close to the emperor, when in fact, the opposite is most likely. The volume examines the circumstances of constantines reign and the historical problems surrounding them, the varied accounts of constantines life and the plethora of popular medieval legends surrounding the reign, to reveal the different visions and representations of the emperor from saint and patron of the western church to imperial prototype. There was a certain polybius, completely uneducated and illspoken, who said, the emperor has honored me with roman citizenship. 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. Life of constantine by eusebius, 1999 online research. Eusebius, the life of the blessed emperor constantine.
Writings of eusebius the life of constantine book ii writings of eusebius the life of constantine book ii. Under the editorial supervision of philip schaff, d. This oration is the one appended by eusebius to this life of constantine, and given. 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. Constantine s letter to eusebius, in praise of his discourse concerning easter. Series iivolume ichurch history of eusebiusbook ixchapter 9. Oct 01, 2006 in the final chapter barnes discusses the historical value of the life and provides a summary of the book s contents. There is a further implied analogy in book ii of the life, where eusebius depicts. Constantines life has been interpreted in a number of ways, and barnes seems to strike a nice balance. 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 is the first writer to mention it, and he identifies the therapeutae described in it with the christian monks, and assumes in consequence that monasticism in the form in which he knew it existed in the apostolic age. Oct 15, 2009 the life of the blessed emperor constantine was penned shortly after the emperors death in ad 337 by the great church historian eusebius pamphilus, bishop of caesarea. That light which far outshines the day and sun, first pledge of resurrection, and renovation of bodies long since dissolved, the divine. Hippolytus of rome, commentary on daniel, 2010 predicted that christ would establish the millennium.
Eusebius, life of constantine book iv, 5 so along the borders, the population was probably actually more barbarian than roman. 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. 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. Its introduction and commentary open up the many important issues the life of constantine raises. Eusebius of caesarea, life of constantine, including oration in praise of constantine, 1845 i am filled with wonder at the intellectual greatness of the emperor, who as if by divine inspiration thus expressed what the prophets had foretold concerning this monster. Constantine the greats vision of a cross in the heavens. At the sight, he himself was struck with amazement and his whole army also. Of the manner in which the persecutors died, chapter 44, by lactantius, the life of constantine, chapters 2431, by eusebius of caesarea, and new history, book 2 43,44 by zosimus. In 353 ad, near the end of his losing battle with constantius ii, the usurper magnentius issued bronze coins showing the chirho between the letters alpha. The emperor constantine changed the world by making the roman empire christian. 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.
Combining the retro perspective of modern media and postmodern concerns with meticulous historical analysis, remembering constantine at the milvian bridge is a compelling book for scholars and students alike. The first third of the book chronicles constantines rise to power, the second describes the eusebiuss life and thought, and the third discusses the christianization of the empire and eusebiuss relationship to constantine. Life of constantine vita constantini is a panegyric written in honor of constantine the great by eusebius of caeserea in the 4th century ad. Oration in praise of constantine by eusebius, bishop of emesa, ca. Publishing platform for digital magazines, interactive publications and online catalogs. Constantine won the battle and started on the path that led him to end the. Jan 18, 2015 the life of the blessed emperor constantine eusebius pamphilus, aeterna press on.
Constantine s letter to eusebius on the preparation of copies of the holy scriptures. The most famous account is found in the only biography of constantine from the ancient world, the life of constantine by eusebius, the fourth century father of church history called this because his other book, ecclesiastical history, was the first attempt to write a history of christianity from the time of jesus down to his own day. Eusebius quotes author of the history of the church. Baynes began a historiographic tradition with constantine the great and the christian church 1929 which presents constantine as a committed christian, reinforced by andreas alfoldis the conversion of constantine and pagan rome 1948, and timothy barness constantine and eusebius 1981 is the. Eusebius of nicomedia is not to be confused with his contemporary eusebius of caesarea, the author of a wellknown early book of church history. Conszi constantius ii standing left, holding labarum and resting hand on shield. You have authority also, in virtue of this letter, to use two of the public. This place is highly remarkable, for from it this conclusion may be made, that the persecution began in dioclesians eighth, and maximians seventh consulate, and not on the foregoing year, as baronius will have it. German and sarmatian campaigns of constantine military.
It was because of eusebius that on the whole, constantine and his successors made life pretty miserable for church leaders committed to the nicene decision and its trinitarian formula. Victor constantinus, maximus augustus, to eusebius. Constantine reigned during the 4th century ce and is known for attempting to christianize the roman empire. Emperor constantine, unlike alexius was not born a christian, he became a christian during his life. Pronounced on the thirtieth anniversary of his reign. The occasion of this work has been already described see p. Most scholars now believe that eusebius of caesarea wrote the life shortly before his death ca. The life of the blessed emperor constantine the bagster translation, revised by ernest cushing richardson, ph. Vita constantini is a panegyric written in greek in honor of constantine the great by eusebius of caesarea in the 4th century ad. The entire work is divided into two series, each with fourteen volumes.
The following selection is from buildings, book iv, vii. Eusebius, oration in praise of constantine pdf volume 1. Schaffwace, eusebius church history, life of constantine the great, and oration in. Life of constantine edition 1 by eusebius 9780198149248. The second series focuses on a variety of important church fathers, ranging from the fourth century to the eighth century. It takes its name from the milvian bridge, an important route over the tiber. The life of the blessed emperor constantine by eusebius pamphilus. The elaborate oration of eusebius, in praise of constantine, will not be. Rdrd bible study a date to memorize ad 3 the edict. Convert documents to beautiful publications and share them worldwide.
Other articles where life of constantine is discussed. 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. It was never completed due to the death of eusebius in 339. Church history, life of constantine, oration in praise of constantine. Npnf21 eusebius, the life of the blessed emperor constantine.
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. By this time the catholic church, aided and abetted by constantine, had gained considerable influence in the civil affairs of the roman empire. Constantines miraculous vision of a cross in the heavens with the words, conquer by this is an epochal event in history. A comparison of constantine s piety with the wickedness of the persecutors.