The History of the Church: From Christ to Constantine (Penguin Classics) [Paperback]

Eusebius (Author), Andrew Louth (Editor, Introduction), G. A. Williamson (Translator)

Book Description

Release date: April 3, 1990 | ISBN-10: 0140445358 | ISBN-13: 978-0140445350 | Edition: Revised

"Could I do better than start from the beginning of the dispensation of our Saviour and Lord, Jesus the Christ of God?"

Bishop Eusebius (c. AD 260–339), a learned scholar who lived most of his life in Caesarea in Palestine, broke new ground in writing the History and provided a model for all later ecclesiastical historians. In tracing the history of the Church from the time of Christ to the Great Persecution at the beginning of the fourth century and ending with the conversion of the Emperor Constantine, his aim was to show the purity and continuity of the doctrinal tradition of Christianity and its struggle against persecutors and heretics, and he supported his account by extensive quotations from original sources.

This edition of G. A. Williamson’s clear, fluid translation is accompanied by an introduction by Andrew Louth discussing the life and works of Eusebius, together with notes, bibliography, map of the world of Eusebius and brief biographies of the figures who appear in the work.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Greek

About the Author

The so-called 'Father of Ecclesiastical History', Eusebius (263-339) was a Greek Christian. His prodigious literary output can be grouped into four categories: the historical, the apologetic, the Biblical and the dogmatic. G.A Williamson was a renowned scholar of the Classics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics; Revised edition (April 3, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140445358
• ISBN-13: 978-0140445350
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.8 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #39,901 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

127 of 130 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Brief Synopsis January 1, 2002

By John

Format:Paperback

Eusebius lived in the late third and early fourth centuries in Caesarea Palestine. His History of the Church chronicles the time from Christ to the victory of Constantine over Licinius. He wrote in Greek, but this translation Latinizes the names. Eusebius covers the period of Jewish persecution in the early first millennium a.d.; goes through the succession of the bishops of Rome, Antioch, Alexandria, Jerusalem, etc.; gives the account of heretical movements; and gives numerous examples of Christian martyrs in times of persecution. In the back of this edition is an extensive "Who's Who in Eusebius" spanning some 88 pages. It is a very useful tool in the reading of The History of the Church. It may also prove a valuable quick reference in further studies on early Christianity. Eusebius's style allows him to extensively quote several authors and historians in the early first millennium. His ten books of The History of the Church are riddled with passages from Josephus, Origen, Philo, Hegesippus, and the like. Also, behind the Who's Who in Eusebius, are a few appendices. I would highly recommend reading the appendices B, C, and D before undertaking the body of the book. A brief knowledge of the Roman empire at the time and Christianity will greatly benefit the reader.

58 of 59 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading For Anyone Interested in Christian History June 30, 2005

By JustinK

Format:Paperback

This book is one of the foundational works of Christian history. It was the first extensive, systematic attempt to present Christian history up till the author's time (4th century). In the centuries following the work of Eusebius, many other authors attempted Histories, including Sulpitius Severus, Hermias Sozomen, Socrates Scholasticus, Theodoret, Evagrius Scholasticus, John of Ephesus, Gennadius of Marseilles, Isidore of Seville, Bede the Venerable, and others (just to list the major attempts through the 7th century). But none of these authors--and some would argue that none since--achieved what Eusebius did in his Ecclesiastical History. In fact, many didn't even try, and simply picked up the history of the Christian Church at the point where Eusebius had left off.

Eusebius is sometimes accused of being biased, but then everyone is biased. It is true that he might not have followed the strict standards followed by many modern historians (to expect that he would as some objectors do is totally anachonistic), but one thing is for sure, Eusebius was not simply a cheerleader for his own personal beliefs, nor someone who would gloss over differences or arguments within the Church. If someone wants a specific example (and one that isn't a small issue), one could read over his overview of how the Scriptural Canon was compiled and debated.

When it came to the Epistle of James from the New Testamnet, for instance, Eusebius at one point calls it "the so-called epistle of James" and says that it is "Among the disputed writings, which are nevertheless recognized by many" (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 3, 25). In another place Eusebius is speaking of James of Jerusalem, who was the first bishop of the Christian Church there; Eusebius says that James "is said to be the author of the first of the so-called catholic epistles. But it is to be observed that it is disputed; at least, not many of the ancients have mentioned it... Nevertheless we know that [The Epistle of James] also, with the rest, have been read publicly in very many churches."(Eusebius, History, 2, 23)

This is a very good book for anyone interested in Christian History, especially if you are interested in how the actual figures in that history saw their predecessors, and not just in reading the summaries and compilations (and unfortunately, many times, wild speculations) of 19th and 20th century historians. One could also argue that his History, while perhaps a bit more biased in that it was written by a Christian for Christians, was also in some ways closer to the truth than histories today which might technically be more factual.

I know this sounds contradictory, but here is what I mean. Descartes said (rightly) that "history" as we perceive it was for the most part distorted, since history left out most of the minor, mundane thoughts and events of life and focused on the important or sensational aspects of life. History is therefore distorted in that it doesn't tell us about the lives and cultures of people, but only about what their leaders or generals or other great and important men did. Eusebius is someone who included some of everyday stuff in his History. It might not wow people, but it serves a much more important purpose: to put the great events into perspective. Great events and people are only great when compared to others, after all. And in that way, we can also say that Eusebius is indeed great.

48 of 49 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction January 31, 2004

By Florentius VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

This book was first assigned to me as a student of late Roman history and it was one that had a great impact on me. More than a mere ecclesiastical history, it is a defense of Christianity written by a Bishop of the 4th century. Having lived through the persecution of Diocletian and been a confidant of the first Christian Roman emperor, Constantine, Eusebius recounts the tumultuous history of the Church in all its tragedy and triumph.

Quoting from the early Church fathers, Josephus, and sacred scripture, Eusebius proceeds through the reigns of the various Roman emperors from the time of Christ down to his own time--a period of over 300 years. Among the most fascinating information included is the curious correspondence between Jesus himself and Abgar the Toparch of Edessa a city in western Asia Minor in which Jesus promises to send one of His disciples to cure Abgar after His ascension. Though of uncertain authenticity, the tale has been used in recent years to link the Holy Shroud of Turin to the Mandylion of Edessa.

Also of interest are the numerous persecution, miracle, heresy, and martyrdom narratives that are packed into this book. The recounting of the marytrdoms of St. Polycarp and St. Justin Martyr are particularly compelling.

In short, this book is a treasure house of information on the early Church and no serious student of Church history can neglect it. Note, however, that this book does not contain the famous story of Constantine's miraculous conversion--seeing a cross in the sky with the words, "Conquer by this." If I remember correctly, this incident is recounted separately in the "Vita Constantini" also written by Eusebius.

As for the Penguin translation, I am not qualified to comment. If you are in need of the original Greek, I recommend the edition from the Loeb Classical Library (vol. 265) also available here on Amazon.

To read the subsequent early Church historians who built upon Eusebius through the end of the 6th century, check out:

The Ecclesiastical History Of Socrates, Surnamed Scholasticus, Or The Advocate: Comprising A History Of The Church In Seven Books;

Ecclesiastical History of Sozomen;

The Ecclesiastical History of Theodoret;

and The Ecclesiastical History of Evagrius (Christian Roman Empire Series).