Transcript Christian History Writing

Christian History Writing
1.
A new chronology
2. 2. Eusebius
Christian Historiography
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By 3rd century see development of enormous
differences in thinking between pagan and Christian
historians
Pagan historians identified the world of the past,
present and future with the Roman state – see much
talk of glory of Rome
Christian view of history evolved in discussions among
church fathers through the interpretations of Christian
texts in context of current events
In beginning, Christian life and traditions were shaped
in opposition to Rome
Authors often accuse Christians of having led to
Rome’s decline – that was not the case
Christian Writers
- a new chronology
Christian Historiographical ‘Revolution’:
 Late 3rd century Sextus Julius Africanus –with
his Chronography initiated a series of early
Christian histories in which individuals and
events from N. East, Greek and Roman Myths,
and histories were organized into a JudeoChristian framework.
 By adding years to biblical characters and using
chronologies from other cultures, Africanus
concluded that 5,500 years had passed between
Adam and Jesus ‘ birth
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Eusebius of Caesarea
c. 263 - 339
Bishop of Caesarea
Was close advisor to the Emperor Constantine
Wrote a patristic chronology,
Lived during early 4th century when Constantine
made Christianity a tolerated religion
 Christianity and the Roman empire became
linked
 Eusebius’ history illustrated that Christianity had
become the dominant factor in historiography
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The context
Late 3rd early 4th century, period of political
unrest; barbarian invasions; internal strife;
economic decline; most of the revenue pumped
into the army in order to defend the Empire from
outside and inside.
 Enormous social changes; many barbarian tribes
settled within the empire; large components of
army consisted of barbarians (non-Romans)
 Values important to Romans of Republic and early
Imperial period less important to the majority
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Eusebius’ Works
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Works: Wrote 46 works including: The
Chronicles; Ecclesiastical History; Life of
Constantine
The Chronicle (chronica)– based on Africanus;
christianity dominant in this work;
core of work was chronological canons; material
borrowed from Hellenistic writers;
Roman and Near Eastern World merge into one
chronological framework
When writing about earliest periods, he lists side
by side individuals and events from Assyria ,
Egypt and major figures and events from the
Old Testament
Bible is used as historical document
Eusebius’ works
Work: Ecclesiastical History (a history of
the Church)
 Covers the Rise of Christianity from its
beginnings, includes account of lives of
Jesus Christ and the apostles; about faith,
the most important leaders, enemies,
writers, martyrs, bishops, persecutions,
victory of church
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Eusebius
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Life of Constantine
Constantine is depicted as a man who
received sign from God and acted on a
vision; reigned with divine protection
 More in nature a hagiography than
biography
 Hagiography = biography in praise of
someone; seriously biased
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