Eusebius of Caesarea
c. 263 – c. 339 · Bishop of Caesarea
Also known as Eusebius Pamphili
Feast: 21 June (Orthodox)
Bishop of Caesarea; the 'Father of Church History,' author of Historia Ecclesiastica, Praeparatio Evangelica, Demonstratio Evangelica, and the Life of Constantine. Pupil of Pamphilus.
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.
Notable works
- ·Ecclesiastical History · 325
- ·Life of Constantine · 337
- ·Preparation for the Gospel + Demonstration of the Gospel · 313
- ·Onomasticon · 320
Primary sources
- ·Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. (passim)
- ·Jerome, De Viris Illustribus 81
- ·Socrates, Hist. Eccl. 1.8
- ·Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. (passim, autobiographical references)
- ·Socrates Scholasticus, Hist. Eccl. 1.8
Book of the day
Ecclesiastical History
Eusebius of CaesareaA reading pick tied to today's figure, quote, era, or event. The ancient source behind a huge amount of what we know about bishops, martyrs, succession lists, and early controversies.
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