Ecclesiastical History, Volume II ISBN: 9780674992931 Platform/Publisher: Loeb Classical Library / Harvard University Press Digital rights:Users: Unlimited; Printing: One Page at a time; Download: One Page at a time
The first comprehensive history of early Christianity.
Eusebius of Caesarea (ca. AD 260-340), born in Palestine, was a student of the presbyter Pamphilus, whom he loyally supported during Diocletian's persecution. He was himself imprisoned in Egypt, but became Bishop of Caesarea around 314. 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.
Of Eusebius' many learned publications we have the Martyrs of Palestine and the Life of Constantine ; several apologetic and polemic works; parts of his commentaries on the Psalms and Isaiah; and the Chronographia , known chiefly in Armenian and Syriac versions of the original Greek. But Eusebius' chief fame rests on the History of the Christian Church in ten books, published in 324-325, the most important ecclesiastical history of ancient times, a great treasury of knowledge about the early Church.
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. It is primarily this work that earned Eusebius the title of Father of Church History.
Eusebius was born in Palestine about A. D. 264. Beginning about 315, he was made bishop of Caesarea. His Praeparatio Evanglica contains valuable extracts from the ancient philosophers. His Chronica is likewise valuable to students of ancient history. Theologically, Eusebius is remembered for his retelling of Christian history to include a positive role for the admired Roman emperors as instruments of God's will.
