Eusebius of Caesarea
Bishop of Caesarea; the 'Father of Church History,' author of Historia Ecclesiastica, Praeparatio Evangelica, Demonstratio Evangelica, and the Life of Constantine. Pupil of Pamphilus.
Why Eusebius matters
Without Eusebius we wouldn't know early Christianity. His Ecclesiastical History is the source for almost every story about the first three centuries — apostolic succession lists, persecutions, heretics, Christian intellectual life — and he had access to the libraries of Caesarea and Jerusalem that we lost. Modern historians constantly second-guess him (he had agendas) but he's the only door we have. He also baptised the dying Constantine. Christianity's transition from persecuted sect to imperial religion runs through one man's library.
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Common questions
- Who was Eusebius of Caesarea?
- Eusebius of Caesarea (263–339) — Bishop of Caesarea; the 'Father of Church History,' author of Historia Ecclesiastica, Praeparatio Evangelica, Demonstratio Evangelica, and the Life of Constantine. Pupil of Pamphilus.
- Who taught Eusebius of Caesarea?
- Pamphilus of Caesarea.
- Who did Eusebius of Caesarea correspond with?
- Constantine the Great.
- Who did Eusebius of Caesarea oppose?
- Marcellus of Ancyra.
Works
- Ecclesiastical Historyc. 325
Ten-book history of the Church from the apostles to Constantine — our principal source for early Christianity.
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Sources for biography
- Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. (passim) primary
- Jerome, De Viris Illustribus 81 primary
- Socrates, Hist. Eccl. 1.8 primary
- Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. (passim, autobiographical references) primary
- Socrates Scholasticus, Hist. Eccl. 1.8 primary
documented connections(10)
- taught by Pamphilus of CaesareaEusebius styled himself 'Pamphili' in tribute to his master Pamphilus, with whom he co-authored the Apology for Origen.Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. 6.32, 7.32 · Jerome, De Viris Illustribus 75, 81
- cited Origen of AlexandriaBook 6 of the Historia Ecclesiastica is largely devoted to Origen, drawing on his letters and works.Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. 6 passim
- knew of Justin MartyrEusebius devotes substantial space to Justin's life, works, and martyrdom in HE 4.16-18, quoting from his apologies and Dialogue with Trypho.Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. 4.16-18
- cited Melito of SardisEusebius preserves substantial fragments of Melito (including the canon list and the Apology to Marcus Aurelius) in HE 4.26.Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. 4.26
- corresponded (incoming) Constantine the GreatEusebius preserves multiple letters from Constantine and delivered an oration in his presence.Eusebius, Vita Constantini 2.46, 3.60-63, 4.35-36
- knew of Constantine the GreatEusebius wrote the Vita Constantini and the Tricennial Oration in his honour.Eusebius, Vita Constantini 1-4
- cited (incoming) Rufinus of AquileiaRufinus translated and continued Eusebius's HE.Rufinus, Hist. Eccl. (preface)
- cited (incoming) Socrates ScholasticusSocrates' Hist. Eccl. begins where Eusebius left off.Socrates Scholasticus, Hist. Eccl. 1 (preface)
- cited (incoming) Theodoret of CyrusTheodoret continues Eusebius in his Hist. Eccl.Theodoret, Hist. Eccl. 1.1
- opposed Marcellus of AncyraEusebius wrote Contra Marcellum and De Ecclesiastica Theologia against him.Eusebius, Contra Marcellum
tradition connections(2)
- knew of Pseudo-BarnabasEusebius discusses the Epistle of Barnabas among the disputed/spurious writings (HE 3.25, 6.14). Marked tradition because the author is anonymous.Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. 3.25, 6.14
- knew of Athenagoras of AthensAthenagoras is mentioned by Methodius and Philip of Side rather than by Eusebius's HE proper; the link is via the later patrologists who preserved his works.Philip of Side, Hist. Christ. fragm. (in Dodwell) · Methodius, On the Resurrection (cited in Photius, Bibl. cod. 234)