Get this from a library! Or call 1-800-MY-APPLE. Timothy Barnes notes that Eusebius clearly omits accounts and information to portray Constantine in the favorable light. He brought numerous changes that mainly strengthened his empire. Book digitized by Google from the library of Oxford University and uploaded to the Internet Archive by user tpb. [32] Eusebius was himself a participating member of the Council of Nicaea and his motivations in writing on the matter in which he was an active participant must be approached with caution. Life of Constantine the Great (Greek: Βίος Μεγάλου Κωνσταντίνου; Latin: Vita Constantini) is a panegyric written in Greek in honor of Constantine the Great by Eusebius of Caesarea in the 4th century AD. Eusebius : Life of Constantine The Life of Constantine, written by Eusebius of Caesarea (260-339 C.E) is a story written in the memory of Constantine the Great. [1] In addition to detailing the religious policies of the Roman Empire under Constantine, Eusebius uses Life of Constantine to engage several of his own religious concerns, such as apologetics, as well as a semi-bibliographic account of Constantine. The genuineness of the anti-pagan pronouncements, whether in content or in execution, has thus been a point of contention. [27] Placing the letter after these events provides Eusebius with the opportunity to use the letter to foreshadow Constantine’s final war against the Persians, which he claims Constantine said ‘he had still to achieve’. [11] Eusebius often referenced his own former works, forty-one times in Life of Constantine, most notably Ecclesiastical History (Historia Ecclesiastica) and the Tricennalian Oration (Laus Constantini). [22], The Letters authenticity is source of debate for many Constantinian scholars. [13] They are thus an important source for Constantine’s religious politics. The work provides scholars with one of the most comprehensive sources for the religious policies of Constantine's reign. In October discontent with the policies of Severus leads to the elevation of Maxentius, the son of Maximian, to princeps. [9] Eusebius’s narrative constructs Constantine as god-sent, in order to end the persecution of Christians under the Roman Empire, and ensure the correct worship of God. [3] Eusebius moved on to describe Constantine’s next military campaign, the war against Licinius. NPNF2-01. 152 Words 1 Page. He was born in circa 274 AD in Nassius, which is in Upper Moesia, Yugoslavia. Life of Constantine the great by Joseph Fletcher. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. The Life. Constantine called the Council of Nicaea to repair this division of the Church. The letter is distinctive in style from Eusebius’ own writing, and its content and tone is similar to that of the other Constantinian documents in the Life. During his tenure, Constantine was admired for his style of leadership. Constantius dies at Eboracum, Britain (modern York, North Yorkshire, England), and Constantine is immediately proclaimed emperor by the army. Choose your country or region. His acceptance of Christianity and his establishment of … It wasn’t until 25 years later that Eusebius would meet the Emperor, at the Council of Nicaea. The story of early Christianity is a story of struggle, persecution and martyrdom, often at the hands of the ruling government. This is a common stylistic device in hagiographical writings. He was the eldest son of … July 25, 306. 481. [25], The reliability and motives of Eusebius as a biographer must be considered when analysing the authenticity of the letter and its contents. First, Sylvester asks Constantine to supplicate himself before an icon of Saints Peter and Paul. This heresy taught that Christ was the first created being and thus he was not completely God. The city was in the Roman province of Moesia which is in the present day country of Serbia. Fowden, Elizabeth Key, (2006) ‘Constantine and the Peoples of the Eastern Frontier’, in Lenski, N. This page was last edited on 23 August 2020, at 17:30. He is most noted for his official conversion to Christianity and the shift of power in the empire to the east, which began the empire's transformation into the Byzantine Empire. Constantine the Great (27 Feb c. 272/273 – 22 May 337) Constantine was Roman Emperor (A.D. 306-337). This video covers the life and reign of Constantine the Great, the first Christian emperor of the Roman Empire. [5] The remainder of the book deals with the ecclesiastical laws of Constantine. Barnes has argued for an adoption of an early date for the letter, around AD324/5, and fitting into Book 2 after the defeat of Licinius. While Barnes argues Constantine’s letters were public proclamations of his faith within his broader pro-Christian program, Drake interprets the letters rather as documents in favour of religious toleration. The section includes the only continuous contemporary account of the Council of Nicaea[5] as well as the pilgrimage to Bordeaux. Constantine Timeline Timeline Description: Constantine (272 - 337 CE), also known as Constantine the Great or Constantine I, was an emperor of the Roman Empire. 2012 More ways to shop: Find an Apple Store or other retailer near you. [7] As the work concludes, Eusebius give much effort to uncover a personal Constantine, taking time to describe the Emperor as a remarkable public speaker and preacher, as well as a listener. The emperor Constantine changed the world by making the Roman Empire Christian. The work progresses into Constantine’s time under the Emperor Diocletian. Even in his youth, those around him saw Consta… Life of Constantine the Great (Greek: Βίος Μεγάλου Κωνσταντίνου; Latin: Vita Constantini) is a panegyric written in Greek in honor of Constantine the Great by Eusebius of Caesarea in the 4th century AD. Constantine is born One of the most famous emperors from the Roman Empire was Constantine I. Since his father was not only a military commander but also the caesar of the west, Constantine lived his entire early life in the imperial court, eventually serving as a high ranking staff officer for Diocletian. Constantine probably spent little time with his father who was an officer in the Roman army, part of the Emperor Aurelian's imperial bodyguard. The rest of book 2 ends with the outlining of the religious problems faced by Constantine. Book 4 is largely concerned with Constantine and his personal life and final accomplishments, concluding with the death of Constantine. Indeed while many accept the work as generally reliable, few modern scholars claim that the text is not without its question marks, especially in regards to the motives and biases of Eusebius. The pronouncements in the letters are systematically pro-Christian and anti-pagan. His father was Flavius Constantius, an Illyrian, and a native of Dardania province of Moesia (later Dacia Ripensis). [12] In the former case, Eusebius engages in the tarnishing of Licinius’ reputation, painting him a supporter of pagans and a truce breaker, both claims that are historically dubious. Eusebius’ use of the panegyric style results in an extremely generous treatment of Constantine that has been noted for its less than objective aims. Even letter exchanges between the two were infrequent. [20] He makes reference to previous emperors who fell from power due to their persecution of Christians, Valerian chief among them, who was himself defeated and captured by the Persians, an event which Constantine ascribes to the Christian deity. The Ecclessiastical History itself has many imperial documents and letters from Constantine, some repeating their appearance in Life of Constantine. It was never completed due to the death of Eusebius in 339. Eusebius suggests that it was God’s will to raise Constantine to emperor, as a reliever of the Christian torment in the Empire. His personal activities in other areas are less appealing. The first Life of Constantine describes its subject as "resplendent with every virtue that godliness bestows." [6] The Council of Nicaea has been examined closely by scholars for bias however, as Eusebius was himself very involved in the politics of the council. Eusebius facilitates in the blackening of Licinius, who was pro-Christian, that was started by Constantine as imperial propaganda to justify the aggression against Licinius.[4]. After the Council however, personal contact was sporadic at best. He was from the Illyrian descent, and he took over as the ruler from 306 to 337 AD. The work provides scholars with one of the most comprehensive sources for the religious policies of Constantine's reign. [26] The discovery of the ‘London Papyrus’, an independent imperial document which was found to be quoted honestly by Eusebius in the Life Book 2, was taken by many as a sign of his honesty in his use of imperial texts. Eusebius focuses much of his attention in painting Constantine in an extremely Christian light, building holy sites and allegedly destroying pagan temples. Constantine was born around the year 272 AD in the city Naissus. [12] These imperial letters, described or transcribed, frequently relate to religious matters concerning the treatment of pagans and Christians. Its reliability as a historical text has been called into question by several historians, most notably Timothy Barnes, because of its questionable motives and writing style. Eusebius’ treatment of Constantine has generated much of the controversy surrounding the text. Rather, Barnes claims that before the Council of Nicaea, Eusebius might have seen the Emperor once, in a large crowd of people. [23] Elizabeth Fowden argues for the letters authenticity, viewing its content as in keeping with Constantine's' vision of himself as an ambassador of God on earth and his desire for a universal Christian empire. Bradbury argues that the anti-pagan pronouncements were implemented but never applied, functioning as a moral guidance. …in 337, he wrote his Life of Constantine, a panegyric that possesses some historical value, chiefly because of its use of primary sources. The history of Rome and Europe was changed forever by these 8 key events. (Jan. 1988) ‘What Eusebius Knew: The Genesis of the “Vita Constantinii”’. The majority of Constantine’s imperial letters appear in book 3. [10], Eusebius's known sources for painting a textual portrait of Constantine and his rule come from eight legal texts, forty-six biblical references, and eight literary references. [18] It has been dated between 324-336. Constantine was the son of Flavius Valerius Constantius, a Roman army officer, and his consort, Helena. This document has been generated from XSL (Extensible Stylesheet Language) source with RenderX XEP Formatter, version 3.7.3 Client Academic. Barnes, Timothy (1985) ‘Constantine and the Christians of Persia’: Bradbury, Scott (1994) ‘Constantine and the Problem of Anti-Pagan Legislation in the Fourth Century’. [8] Eusebius advanced the idea of divine right on Constantine, as he was Emperor due to God’s will, and is God imitator on earth. Being described as a tolerant and politically skilled man, Constantius adv… https://www.britannica.com/topic/Life-of-Constantine. The Life of Constantine I Timeline created by abhinator8. Grab a copy of our NEW encyclopedia for Kids! Publication date 1852 Collection europeanlibraries Digitizing sponsor Google Book from the collections of Oxford University Language English. Does he deserve the title of Constantine the Great? [28][29] Such foreshadowing is a common motif of Book 4 and a further caution when assessing the authenticity and context of Constantine's correspondence with Shapur as presented by Eusebius.[30]. Barnes accepts the letter as genuine, its content in keeping with Constantine's' own view of his career, especially in the period of reform after the defeat of Licinius. The Life of the Blessed Emperor Constantine The emperor Constantine is celebrated as a saint in the Orthodox Church, although not the Western Church. Flavius Valerius Constantinus, as he was originally named, was born in the city of Naissus (today Niš, Serbia), part of the Dardania province of Moesia on 27 February, probably c. AD 272. [Eusebius, of Caesarea Bishop of Caesarea; Averil Cameron; Stuart George Hall] -- Annotation Eusebius' Life of Constantine is the most important single record of Constantine, the emperor who turned the Roman Empire from prosecuting the Church to supporting it, … of the. In the passage from the Life of Constantine, the division referred to is Arianism. The work transitions from military campaigns to the religious rule of Constantine. Eusebius’ vehicle for this narrative is metaphor, and he explicitly paints Constantine in the image of Moses. [3] The same account is often compared to Lactantius’, which provides a radically different depiction of the same story. They fit well into the Eusebius’ programmatic treatment of Constantine as a devout Christian emperor but are particularly vehement in their anti-paganism, given the historical context. ———————————— Book I. It was never completed due to the death of Eusebius in 339. Early Life Flavius Valerius Constantinus, who would become Roman emperor Constantine I, was born on February 27, circa 280 (sources range from 272 to 284)… His great merit, from a Christian point of view, was in legalizing Christianity. Throughout his life Eusebius also wrote apologetic works, commentaries on the Bible, and works explaining the … [19] In the letter Constantine expresses to Shapur his devotion to Christianity, attributing his success to the Christian deity whose beneficence is the result of Constantine's piety, religious toleration and destruction of Tyrants and persecutors. 2018 The Sacred Writings of Eusebius Pamphilus. Emperor Constantine (ca A.D. 280– 337) reigned over a major transition in the Roman Empire—and much more. The emperor Constantine changed the world by making the Roman Empire Christian. The first of which, the campaign against Maxentius, contains perhaps the most famous scene in the Life of Constantine, the vision of Constantine. In Eusebius of Caesarea …in 337, he wrote his Life of Constantine, a panegyric that possesses some historical value, chiefly because of its use of primary sources. In History. [33] It is clear that Eusebius was not the courtier he had painted himself as in Life of Constantine. 274. Notes to the Life of Constantine 1.The initial passage is a paraphrase from Paul’s first epistle to Timothy (I Tim. In addition to detailing the religious policies of the Roman Empireunder Constantine, Eusebius uses Life of Constantine to engage s… The commentary helpfully assesses the historicity of Eusebius' accounts of specific events and how certain themes in the text serve the various literary purposes of the work. The Life of Constantine has received a great deal of attention, much of it derisive, for its genre categorization-defying, cringe-inducing laudation of the famous emperor. This section has generated ample controversy, as there is much suspicion regarding the validity of the story. [15] Regarding the pro-Christian imperial letters such as his letter to the Palestinians (Vita Constantini 2.24-44), various interpretations have been offered as well. Chapter I.— Preface.—Of the Death of Constantine. He was the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity and played a crucial role in the spread of the religion. This English translation is the first based on modern critical editions. Life Of Constantine Passage Analysis. Constantine the Great was a Roman Emperor of Illyrian ancestry who ruled from 306 to 337 AD. He also engages in the politicization of several topics in the work, most notably the campaign against Licinius and the Council of Nicaea. Eusebius wrote his life and preserved his letters so that his policy would continue. Already 3049 3049 Literally “recently” or “not long since,” and so it is rendered by Tr. Constantine had wanted to be baptized in the Jordan but instead was baptized by the Arian bishop Eusebius of Nicomedia on his deathbed as was the traditional practice at the time, so as to be cleansed from all the sins he had committed during his life. [26], The letters location within the Life is peculiar. [31] Eusebius consistently neglects relevant information to portray Constantine in a favorable light. Life of Constantine (εἰς τὸν βίον τοῦ μακαρίου Κωνσταντίνου τοῦ βασιλέως). Barnes notes that Eusebius and Constantine meeting in person was a rare occurrence, as Eusebius did not reside near the capital, nor did he have special access to Constantine, as he claims in Life of Constantine. Its Introduction and Commentary open up the many important issues the Life of Constantine raises. Near the Emperor's death, Eusebius focuses on Constantine’s mental and spiritual strength, as well as his physical strength, helping finish the portrait of a nearly godlike man. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. And in the midst of these, Constantine, who was shortly to become their destroyer, but at that time of tender age, and blooming with the down of early youth, dwelt, as that other servant of God had done, in the very home of the tyrants, but young as he was did not share the manner of life of the ungodly: for from that early period his noble nature, under the leading of the Divine Spirit, inclined him to piety and … While Eusebius does have a clear pro-Christian bias, Life of Constantine also provides several insightful secular matters that have not been discovered outside of the work. Skeptics hold that the marriage between the panegyric and bibliographical styles mixes legend with fact, making the text wholly unreliable. 466–469 sq., of … Eusebius also takes great pain in describing himself as very close to the Emperor, when in fact, the opposite is most likely. The panegyric ends with the death of the Emperor, his funeral, and the succession of the throne. His father was Flavius Constantius who worked his way up in the Roman government until he became the second in … This paved th… Divided into four books,[2] Life of Constantine begins with the declaration that Constantine is immortal. Drake, H. A. Eusebius claimed that he heard the story from the mouth of Constantine himself, however much of modern scholarship agrees that the stories is a distortion of facts or completely fabricated. eusebius pamphilus. Life of Constantine. It was never completed due to the death of Eusebius in 339. Eusebius wrote his life and preserved his letters so that his policy would continue. [24] Even so the religious content of the letter and the claims by Constantine to represent the Christians of the Persian Empire continues to divide scholarly opinion. The work provides scholars with one of the most comprehensive sources for the religious policies of Constantine's reign. His trip to Persia is painted in an apologetic universal Christian theme, his laws forbidding idol worship of his own image and the reiteration of the suppressing of idol worship and sacrifice. Includes the Catholic Encyclopedia, Church Fathers, Summa, Bible … [35], National Library of Russia, Codex Syriac 1, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Life_of_Constantine&oldid=974551776, Cultural depictions of Constantine the Great, Articles containing Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text, Wikipedia articles with WorldCat-VIAF identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Eusebius often quotes verbatim both his own work and the imperial documents; however, he also quotes without citing, often to help build his narrative of Constantine as a god-sent emperor. This section also established the overarching metaphor in the work, as Eusebius likens Constantine to Moses. This biography of Constantine the Great provides detailed information about his childhood, life… 2:4). It's an important work for too many reasons to name here, so avoiding it because of these reasons is not an option. 1709, Stroth, Molzberger, Valesius (“nuper”), and Portesius. blessed emperor constantine, by. Eusebius however has placed it in Book IV, after Constantine’s wars against the Sarmatians and Goths on the Danube, thus moving its chronology to after AD335. His father became Caesar, the deputy emperor in the west, in 293 CE. [21] Aware of the presence of Christians within Shapurs realm, Constantine, writing on their behalf, calls upon the king to rule over them piously or, in a veiled warning, face the same downfall as other persecutors. Constantine the Greatwas born on February 27th, in 272. [26] Unlike the other letters quoted by him this one an extract, lacking the formal greeting found in other imperial documents quoted in the Vita and is the only one in which Constantine is dealing with secular affairs. During his time in office, Constantineensured that the military and civil authorities were separated. Eusebius moves on from the introduction to Constantine’s military exploits for the remainder of Book 1 and half of Book 2. Constantine the Great was a Roman Emperor from 306-337 CE. Constantine is contrasted with the tyrannical Diocletian, whose persecution of Christians and oppressive rule accentuates the presentation of Constantine as a strong Christian and a just man. [34] Only a select amount of pagan accounts of the reign exist or have been discovered, with only one pagan panegyric known to exist. For particulars in regard to this work, see the prolegomena of Dr. Richardson, on pp. This opening sets the tone for the rest of the work, a general glorification and deification of the Emperor and his works on Earth. Throughout his life Eusebius also wrote apologetic works, commentaries on the Bible, and works explaining the parallels and discrepancies in the Gospels. Eusebius Pamphilius: Church History, Life of Constantine, Oration in Praise of Constantine by Eusebius Pamphilius. In the Vitae of Constantine and Methodius the influence of the particular school of spirituality to which the author belonged is seen in the frequent use of scriptural quotations, paraphrases, and allusions. [14] Similarly, Curran argues that anti-pagan pronouncements were not actually put into practice, rather reflecting the emperor’s personal stance. Life of Constantine (Vita Constantini) is a panegyric written in honor of Constantine the Great by Eusebius of Caeserea in the 4th century AD. With co-Emperor Licinius, he issued the Edict of Milan in 313, which proclaimed tolerance of all religions throughout the empire. Church History, Life of Constantine, and Oration in Praise of Constantine ... Church History, Life of Constantine, and Oration in Praise of Constantine. Life of Constantine remains the most important work for examining the reign of Constantine. Most of the work is devoted to the illustration of Constantine’s personal piety. He was famed for being a Roman Emperor. [16][17], The ‘Letter of Constantine I to Shapur II’ is a diplomatic exchange located in Book 4 of the Life. However, despite its modern significance, Life of Constantine was widely obscure in the 4th and 5th centuries, and did not reach popularity until much later in history. The tone somewhat seems to be giving high praise to Constantine commenting on the deeds of Constantine. Book 3 is largely concerned with Constantine’s constructive settlement of the various religious problems. Although sources vary on the exact year of his birth, Constantine (Gaius Flavis Valerius Constantinus) was born at Naissus in present day Serbia as early as 272 CE or as late as 285 CE. Life of Constantine Please help support the mission of New Advent and get the full contents of this website as an instant download. So it is rendered by Tr most of the Emperor Constantine changed world! 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