Church History
c. 312–324
Historia Ecclesiastica
Eusebius’s Ecclesiastical History, including the rise of the Church and (in the later books) the Arian controversy and the Council of Nicaea.
Translated by Arthur Cushman McGiffert
English translation by Arthur Cushman McGiffert, in Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series II, Vol. I (eds. Philip Schaff and Henry Wace; Buffalo: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1890). Public domain. Digital text via New Advent Church Fathers.
Contents
- Book 1, Chapter 1: The Plan of the Work.
- Book 1, Chapter 2: Summary View of the Pre-existence and Divinity of Our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ.
- Book 1, Chapter 3: The Name Jesus and also the Name Christ were known from the Beginning, and were honored by the Inspired Prophets.
- Book 1, Chapter 4: The Religion Proclaimed by Him to All Nations Was Neither New Nor Strange.
- Book 1, Chapter 5: The Time of his Appearance among Men.
- Book 1, Chapter 6: About the Time of Christ, in accordance with Prophecy, the Rulers who had governed the Jewish Nation in Regular Succession from the Days of Antiquity came to an End, and Herod, the First Foreigner, Became King.
- Book 1, Chapter 7: The Alleged Discrepancy in the Gospels in regard to the Genealogy of Christ.
- Book 1, Chapter 8: The Cruelty of Herod toward the Infants, and the Manner of his Death.
- Book 1, Chapter 9: The Times of Pilate.
- Book 1, Chapter 10: The High Priests of the Jews under whom Christ taught.
- Book 1, Chapter 11: Testimonies in Regard to John the Baptist and Christ.
- Book 1, Chapter 12: The Disciples of our Saviour.
- Book 1, Chapter 13: Narrative concerning the Prince of the Edessenes.
- Book 2, Chapter 1: The Course pursued by the Apostles after the Ascension of Christ.
- Book 2, Chapter 2: How Tiberius was affected when informed by Pilate concerning Christ.
- Book 2, Chapter 3: The Doctrine of Christ soon spread throughout All the World.
- Book 2, Chapter 4: After the Death of Tiberius, Caius appointed Agrippa King of the Jews, having punished Herod with Perpetual Exile.
- Book 2, Chapter 5: Philo's Embassy to Caius in Behalf of the Jews.
- Book 2, Chapter 6: The Misfortunes which overwhelmed the Jews after their Presumption against Christ.
- Book 2, Chapter 7: Pilate's Suicide.
- Book 2, Chapter 8: The Famine which took Place in the Reign of Claudius.
- Book 2, Chapter 9: The Martyrdom of James the Apostle.
- Book 2, Chapter 10: Agrippa, who was also called Herod, having persecuted the Apostles, immediately experienced the Divine Vengeance.
- Book 2, Chapter 11: The Impostor Theudas and his Followers.
- Book 2, Chapter 12: Helen, the Queen of the Osrhœnians.
- Book 2, Chapter 13: Simon Magus.
- Book 2, Chapter 14: The Preaching of the Apostle Peter in Rome.
- Book 2, Chapter 15: The Gospel according to Mark.
- Book 2, Chapter 16: Mark first proclaimed Christianity to the Inhabitants of Egypt.
- Book 2, Chapter 17: Philo's Account of the Ascetics of Egypt.
- Book 2, Chapter 18: The Works of Philo that have come down to us.
- Book 2, Chapter 19: The Calamity which befell the Jews in Jerusalem on the Day of the Passover.
- Book 2, Chapter 20: The Events which took Place in Jerusalem during the Reign of Nero.
- Book 2, Chapter 21: The Egyptian, who is mentioned also in the Acts of the Apostles.
- Book 2, Chapter 22: Paul having been sent bound from Judea to Rome, made his Defense, and was acquitted of every Charge.
- Book 2, Chapter 23: The Martyrdom of James, who was called the Brother of the Lord.
- Book 2, Chapter 24: Annianus the First Bishop of the Church of Alexandria after Mark.
- Book 2, Chapter 25: The Persecution under Nero in which Paul and Peter were honored at Rome with Martyrdom in Behalf of Religion.
- Book 2, Chapter 26: The Jews, afflicted with Innumerable Evils, commenced the Last War Against the Romans.
- Book 3, Chapter 1: The Parts of the World in which the Apostles preached Christ.
- Book 3, Chapter 2: The First Successor to St. Peter in Rome.
- Book 3, Chapter 3: The Epistles of the Apostles.
- Book 3, Chapter 4: The First Successors of the Apostles.
- Book 3, Chapter 5: The Last Siege of the Jews after Christ.
- Book 3, Chapter 6: The Famine which oppressed them.
- Book 3, Chapter 7: The Predictions of Christ.
- Book 3, Chapter 8: The Signs which preceded the War.
- Book 3, Chapter 9: Josephus and the Works which he has left.
- Book 3, Chapter 10: The Manner in which Josephus mentions the Divine Books.
- Book 3, Chapter 11: Symeon rules the Church of Jerusalem after James.
- Book 3, Chapter 12: Vespasian commands the Descendants of David to be sought.
- Book 3, Chapter 13: Anencletus, the Second Bishop of Rome.
- Book 3, Chapter 14: Abilius, the Second Bishop of Alexandria.
- Book 3, Chapter 15: Clement, the Third Bishop of Rome.
- Book 3, Chapter 16: The Epistle of Clement.
- Book 3, Chapter 17: The Persecution under Domitian.
- Book 3, Chapter 18: The Apostle John and the Apocalypse.
- Book 3, Chapter 19: Domitian commands the Descendants of David to be slain.
- Book 3, Chapter 20: The Relatives of our Saviour.
- Book 3, Chapter 21: Cerdon becomes the Third Ruler of the Church of Alexandria.
- Book 3, Chapter 22: Ignatius, the Second Bishop of Antioch.
- Book 3, Chapter 23: Narrative Concerning John the Apostle.
- Book 3, Chapter 24: The Order of the Gospels.
- Book 3, Chapter 25: The Divine Scriptures that are accepted and those that are not.
- Book 3, Chapter 26: Menander the Sorcerer.
- Book 3, Chapter 27: The Heresy of the Ebionites.
- Book 3, Chapter 28: Cerinthus the Heresiarch.
- Book 3, Chapter 29: Nicolaus and the Sect named after him.
- Book 3, Chapter 30: The Apostles that were Married.
- Book 3, Chapter 31: The Death of John and Philip.
- Book 3, Chapter 32: Symeon, Bishop of Jerusalem, suffers Martyrdom.
- Book 3, Chapter 33: Trajan forbids the Christians to be sought after.
- Book 3, Chapter 34: Evarestus, the Fourth Bishop of the Church of Rome.
- Book 3, Chapter 35: Justus, the Third Bishop of Jerusalem.
- Book 3, Chapter 36: Ignatius and His Epistles.
- Book 3, Chapter 37: The Evangelists that were still Eminent at that Time.
- Book 3, Chapter 38: The Epistle of Clement and the Writings falsely ascribed to him.
- Book 3, Chapter 39: The Writings of Papias.
- Book 4, Chapter 1: The Bishops of Rome and of Alexandria during the Reign of Trajan.
- Book 4, Chapter 2: The Calamities of the Jews during Trajan's Reign.
- Book 4, Chapter 3: The Apologists that wrote in Defense of the Faith during the Reign of Adrian.
- Book 4, Chapter 4: The Bishops of Rome and of Alexandria under the Same Emperor.
- Book 4, Chapter 5: The Bishops of Jerusalem from the Age of our Saviour to the Period under Consideration
- Book 4, Chapter 6: The Last Siege of the Jews under Adrian.
- Book 4, Chapter 7: The Persons that became at that Time Leaders of Knowledge falsely so-called.
- Book 4, Chapter 8: Ecclesiastical Writers.
- Book 4, Chapter 9: The Epistle of Adrian, decreeing that we should not be punished without a Trial.
- Book 4, Chapter 10: The Bishops of Rome and of Alexandria during the Reign of Antoninus.
- Book 4, Chapter 11: The Heresiarchs of that Age.
- Book 4, Chapter 12: The Apology of Justin addressed to Antoninus.
- Book 4, Chapter 13: The Epistle of Antoninus to the Common Assembly of Asia in Regard to our Doctrine.
- Book 4, Chapter 14: The Circumstances related of Polycarp, a Friend of the Apostles.
- Book 4, Chapter 15: Under Verus, Polycarp with Others suffered Martyrdom at Smyrna.
- Book 4, Chapter 16: Justin the Philosopher preaches the Word of Christ in Rome and suffers Martyrdom.
- Book 4, Chapter 17: The Martyrs whom Justin mentions in his Own Work.
- Book 4, Chapter 18: The Works of Justin which have come down to us.
- Book 4, Chapter 19: The Rulers of the Churches of Rome and Alexandria during the Reign of Verus.
- Book 4, Chapter 20: The Rulers of the Church of Antioch.
- Book 4, Chapter 21: The Ecclesiastical Writers that flourished in Those Days.
- Book 4, Chapter 22: Hegesippus and the Events which he mentions.
- Book 4, Chapter 23: Dionysius, Bishop of Corinth, and the Epistles which he wrote.
- Book 4, Chapter 24: Theophilus Bishop of Antioch.
- Book 4, Chapter 25: Philip and Modestus.
- Book 4, Chapter 26: Melito and the Circumstances which he records.
- Book 4, Chapter 27: Apolinarius, Bishop of the Church of Hierapolis.
- Book 4, Chapter 28: Musanus and His Writings.
- Book 4, Chapter 29: The Heresy of Tatian.
- Book 4, Chapter 30: Bardesanes the Syrian and his Extant Works.
- Book 5, Chapter 1: The Number of those who fought for Religion in Gaul Under Verus and the Nature of their Conflicts.
- Book 5, Chapter 2: The Martyrs, beloved of God, kindly ministered unto those who fell in the Persecution.
- Book 5, Chapter 3: The Vision which appeared in a Dream to the Witness Attalus.
- Book 5, Chapter 4: Irenæus commended by the Witnesses in a Letter.
- Book 5, Chapter 5: God sent Rain from Heaven for Marcus Aurelius Cæsar in Answer to the Prayers of our People.
- Book 5, Chapter 6: Catalogue of the Bishops of Rome.
- Book 5, Chapter 7: Even down to those Times Miracles were performed by the Faithful.
- Book 5, Chapter 8: The Statements of Irenæus in regard to the Divine Scriptures.
- Book 5, Chapter 9: The Bishops under Commodus.
- Book 5, Chapter 10: Pantænus the Philosopher.
- Book 5, Chapter 11: Clement of Alexandria.
- Book 5, Chapter 12: The Bishops in Jerusalem.
- Book 5, Chapter 13: Rhodo and his Account of the Dissension of Marcion.
- Book 5, Chapter 14: The False Prophets of the Phrygians.
- Book 5, Chapter 15: The Schism of Blastus at Rome.
- Book 5, Chapter 16: The Circumstances related of Montanus and his False Prophets.
- Book 5, Chapter 17: Miltiades and His Works.
- Book 5, Chapter 18: The Manner in which Apollonius refuted the Phrygians, and the Persons whom he Mentions.
- Book 5, Chapter 19: Serapion on the Heresy of the Phrygians.
- Book 5, Chapter 20: The Writings of Irenæus against the Schismatics at Rome.
- Book 5, Chapter 21: How Appolonius suffered Martyrdom at Rome.
- Book 5, Chapter 22: The Bishops that were well known at this Time.
- Book 5, Chapter 23: The Question then agitated concerning the Passover.
- Book 5, Chapter 24: The Disagreement in Asia.
- Book 5, Chapter 25: How All came to an Agreement respecting the Passover.
- Book 5, Chapter 26: The Elegant Works of Irenæus which have come down to us.
- Book 5, Chapter 27: The Works of Others that flourished at that Time.
- Book 5, Chapter 28: Those who first advanced the Heresy of Artemon; their Manner of Life, and how they dared to corrupt the Sacred Scriptures.
- Book 6, Chapter 1: The Persecution under Severus.
- Book 6, Chapter 2: The Training of Origen from Childhood.
- Book 6, Chapter 3: While still very Young, he taught diligently the Word of Christ.
- Book 6, Chapter 4: The pupils of Origen that became Martyrs.
- Book 6, Chapter 5: Potamiæna.
- Book 6, Chapter 6: Clement of Alexandria.
- Book 6, Chapter 7: The Writer, Judas.
- Book 6, Chapter 8: Origen's Daring Deed.
- Book 6, Chapter 9: The Miracles of Narcissus.
- Book 6, Chapter 10: The Bishops of Jerusalem.
- Book 6, Chapter 11: Alexander.
- Book 6, Chapter 12: Serapion and his Extant Works.
- Book 6, Chapter 13: The Writings of Clement.
- Book 6, Chapter 14: The Scriptures mentioned by Him.
- Book 6, Chapter 15: Heraclas.
- Book 6, Chapter 16: Origen's Earnest Study of the Divine Scriptures.
- Book 6, Chapter 17: The Translator Symmachus.
- Book 6, Chapter 18: Ambrose.
- Book 6, Chapter 19: Circumstances Related of Origen.
- Book 6, Chapter 20: The Extant Works of the Writers of that Age.
- Book 6, Chapter 21: The Bishops that were well known at that Time.
- Book 6, Chapter 22: The Works of Hippolytus which have reached us.
- Book 6, Chapter 23: Origen's Zeal and his Elevation to the Presbyterate.
- Book 6, Chapter 24: The Commentaries which he prepared at Alexandria.
- Book 6, Chapter 25: His Review of the Canonical Scriptures.
- Book 6, Chapter 26: Heraclas becomes Bishop of Alexandria.
- Book 6, Chapter 27: How the Bishops regarded Origen.
- Book 6, Chapter 28: The Persecution under Maximinus.
- Book 6, Chapter 29: Fabianus, who was wonderfully designated Bishop of Rome by God.
- Book 6, Chapter 30: The Pupils of Origen.
- Book 6, Chapter 31: Africanus.
- Book 6, Chapter 32: The Commentaries which Origencomposed in Cæsarea in Palestine.
- Book 6, Chapter 33: The Error of Beryllus.
- Book 6, Chapter 34: Philip Cæsar.
- Book 6, Chapter 35: Dionysius succeeds Heraclas in the Episcopate.
- Book 6, Chapter 36: Other Works of Origen.
- Book 6, Chapter 37: The Dissension of the Arabians.
- Book 6, Chapter 38: The Heresy of the Elkesites.
- Book 6, Chapter 39: The Persecution under Decius, and the Sufferings of Origen.
- Book 6, Chapter 40: The Events which happened to Dionysius.
- Book 6, Chapter 41: The Martyrs in Alexandria.
- Book 6, Chapter 42: Others of whom Dionysius gives an Account.
- Book 6, Chapter 43: Novatus, his Manner of Life and his Heresy.
- Book 6, Chapter 44: Dionysius' Account of Serapion.
- Book 6, Chapter 45: An Epistle of Dionysius to Novatus.
- Book 6, Chapter 46: Other Epistles of Dionysius.
- Book 7, Chapter 1: The Wickedness of Decius and Gallus.
- Book 7, Chapter 2: The Bishops of Rome in those Times.
- Book 7, Chapter 3: Cyprian, and the Bishops with him, first taught that it was necessary to purify by Baptism those converted from Heresy.
- Book 7, Chapter 4: The Epistles which Dionysius wrote on this Subject.
- Book 7, Chapter 5: The Peace following the Persecution.
- Book 7, Chapter 6: The Heresy of Sabellius.
- Book 7, Chapter 7: The Abominable Error of the Heretics; the Divine Vision of Dionysius; and the Ecclesiastical Canon which he received.
- Book 7, Chapter 8: The Heterodoxy of Novatus.
- Book 7, Chapter 9: The Ungodly Baptism of the Heretics.
- Book 7, Chapter 10: Valerian and the Persecution under him.
- Book 7, Chapter 11: The Events which happened at this Time to Dionysius and those in Egypt.
- Book 7, Chapter 12: The Martyrs in Cæsarea in Palestine.
- Book 7, Chapter 13: The Peace under Gallienus.
- Book 7, Chapter 14: The Bishops that flourished at that Time.
- Book 7, Chapter 15: The Martyrdom of Marinus at Cæsarea.
- Book 7, Chapter 16: Story in Regard to Astyrius.
- Book 7, Chapter 17: The Signs at Paneas of the Great Might of our Saviour.
- Book 7, Chapter 18: The Statue which the Woman with an Issue of Blood erected.
- Book 7, Chapter 19: The Episcopal Chair of James.
- Book 7, Chapter 20: The Festal Epistles of Dionysius, in which he also gives a Paschal Canon.
- Book 7, Chapter 21: The Occurrences at Alexandria.
- Book 7, Chapter 22: The Pestilence which came upon them.
- Book 7, Chapter 23: The Reign of Gallienus.
- Book 7, Chapter 24: Nepos and his Schism.
- Book 7, Chapter 25: The Apocalypse of John.
- Book 7, Chapter 26: The Epistles of Dionysius.
- Book 7, Chapter 27: Paul of Samosata, and the Heresy introduced by him at Antioch.
- Book 7, Chapter 28: The Illustrious Bishops of that Time.
- Book 7, Chapter 29: Paul, having been refuted by Malchion, a Presbyter from the Sophists, was excommunicated.
- Book 7, Chapter 30: The Epistle of the Bishops against Paul.
- Book 7, Chapter 31: The Perversive Heresy of the Manicheans which began at this Time.
- Book 7, Chapter 32: The Distinguished Ecclesiastics of our Day, and which of them survived until the Destruction of the Churches.
- Book 8, Chapter 1: The Events which preceded the Persecution in our Times.
- Book 8, Chapter 2: The Destruction of the Churches.
- Book 8, Chapter 3: The Nature of the Conflicts endured in the Persecution.
- Book 8, Chapter 4: The Famous Martyrs of God, who filled Every Place with their Memory and won Various Crowns in behalf of Religion.
- Book 8, Chapter 5: Those in Nicomedia.
- Book 8, Chapter 6: Those in the Palace.
- Book 8, Chapter 7: The Egyptians in Phœnicia.
- Book 8, Chapter 8: Those in Egypt.
- Book 8, Chapter 9: Those in Thebais.
- Book 8, Chapter 10: The Writings of Phileas the Martyr describing the Occurrences at Alexandria.
- Book 8, Chapter 11: Those in Phrygia.
- Book 8, Chapter 12: Many Others, both Men and Women, who suffered in Various Ways.
- Book 8, Chapter 13: The Bishops of the Church that evinced by their Blood the Genuineness of the Religion which they preached.
- Book 8, Chapter 14: The Character of the Enemies of Religion.
- Book 8, Chapter 15: The Events which happened to the Heathen.
- Book 8, Chapter 16: The Change of Affairs for the Better.
- Book 8, Chapter 17: The Revocation of the Rulers.
- Book 9, Chapter 1: The Pretended Relaxation.
- Book 9, Chapter 2: The Subsequent Reverse.
- Book 9, Chapter 3: The Newly Erected Statue at Antioch.
- Book 9, Chapter 4: The Memorials against us.
- Book 9, Chapter 5: The Forged Acts.
- Book 9, Chapter 6: Those who suffered Martyrdom at this Time.
- Book 9, Chapter 7: The Decree against us which was engraved on Pillars.
- Book 9, Chapter 8: The Misfortunes which happened in Connection with these Things, in Famine, Pestilence, and War.
- Book 9, Chapter 9: The Victory of the God-Beloved Emperors.
- Book 9, Chapter 10: The Overthrow of the Tyrants and the Words which they uttered before their Death.
- Book 9, Chapter 11: The Final Destruction of the Enemies of Religion.
- Book 10, Chapter 1: The Peace granted us by God.
- Book 10, Chapter 2: The Restoration of the Churches.
- Book 10, Chapter 3: The Dedications in Every Place.
- Book 10, Chapter 4: Panegyric on the Splendor of Affairs.
- Book 10, Chapter 5: Copies of Imperial Laws.
- Book 10, Chapter 6: Copy of an Imperial Epistle in which Money is granted to the Churches.
- Book 10, Chapter 7: The Exemption of the Clergy.
- Book 10, Chapter 8: The Subsequent Wickedness of Licinius, and his Death.
- Book 10, Chapter 9: The Victory of Constantine, and the Blessings which under him accrued to the Subjects of the Roman Empire.