Eusebius: Ecclesiastical History, Books I-V (Loeb Classical Library, No. 153) [Hardcover]

Eusebius (Author), Kirsopp Lake (Translator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0674991699 | ISBN-13: 978-0674991699 | Publication Date: January 1, 1926

Eusebius of Caesarea, ca. 260–340 CE, 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 about 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's many learned publications we have Martyrs of Palestine and 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's 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.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 592 pages
• Publisher: Loeb Classical Library (January 1, 1926)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0674991699
• ISBN-13: 978-0674991699
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #390,046 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for students of the Greek and Early Church, May 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Eusebius: Ecclesiastical History, Books I-V (Loeb Classical Library, No. 153) (Hardcover)

I have both this volume of Eusebius' History of the Church (translator, Kirsopp Lake) and the Penguin Classics version, translated by G.A. Williamson and containing all 10 Books comprising Eusebius complete "History of the Church." Kirsopp Lake's volume only has Books I-V, with the other Books VI-X in another volume.

This edition (part of the Loeb series) has the original Greek text on all the left hand pages and Kirsopp Lake's English translation on all the right hand pages.

There is a difference in the footnotes and margin notes of Kirsopp Lake and G.A. Williamson. Lake's footnotes are more accurate than Williamson's. Lake usually points out the exact primary source (author, work, chapter number) for any of Eusebius' assertions while Williamson is prone to just supply the author's name on occasion, which is frustrating if you are verifying the sources yourself. Moreover, Williamson is occasionally wrong in his explanatory footnotes--asserting theories or arguments in support of Eusebius' text that have not borne close scrutiny later or which are incomplete. Lake's footnotes explain both any misconceptions or controversy about one of Eusebius' points and then attempts to resolve it in the most plausible fashion.

The margin notes in Lake's volume are also noteworthy. Lake tries to reference every source Eusebius uses and list it for the reader. Williamson is not as precise or thorough. This helps if you want to know from material Eusebius is drawing his material from.

The book itself is a beautiful little volume. It is almost pocket-sized, bound by a rich, green cloth (or cloth-like) material with gold lettering if you display it without the paper jacket.

It will be a gem for both your collection and bookshelf display!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the investment, March 11, 2001

By 

Gilbert Gandenberger (Lincoln, IL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Eusebius: Ecclesiastical History, Books I-V (Loeb Classical Library, No. 153) (Hardcover)

I have read Eusebius's Church History in four different translations, and find K. Lake's consistently the best, most readable. The Greek text is of course very helpful, for confirming the exact terminology used by Eus. The side-by-side layout, as used in all the Loeb volumes, is very helpful.

The Eerdman press translation is not as readable, more stiff and "King James-ie" but the footnotes and intro material are very good. That translation is available online...

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Reading, January 27, 2011

By 

Osmun R. Latrobe (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Eusebius: Ecclesiastical History, Books I-V (Loeb Classical Library, No. 153) (Hardcover)

A book both well ahead of its time, and timeless. Its language is very readable, an expert translation that is not watered down. To put it simply, it gives the reader the inside story of the people, ideas, and activities of the early Christian church. Not from one looking back (with an agenda), but from one who lived it and had a contemporary's knowledge. It is amazing how it answers many of the most challenging questions at issue today. With a credibility that no current historian or theologian can match. Some background as to issues and concepts would be useful (but not essential) to a reader, since the author simply tells it as it was, with no prescience of today's contexts. A "must read" book for those seriously interested in the foundations of the church and its beliefs.