Christian History Writing 1. A new chronology Eusebius

Christian Historiography By 3 rd century see development of enormous differences in thinking between pagan and Christian historians By 3 rd 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 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 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 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 Authors often accuse Christians of having led to Rome’s decline – that was not the case

Christian Writers - a new chronology Christian Historiographical ‘Revolution’: Christian Historiographical ‘Revolution’: Late 3 rd 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 Judeo- Christian framework. Late 3 rd 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 Judeo- Christian 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 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

Eusebius of Caesarea c Bishop of Caesarea Bishop of Caesarea Was close advisor to the Emperor Constantine Was close advisor to the Emperor Constantine Wrote a patristic chronology, Wrote a patristic chronology, Lived during early 4 th century when Constantine made Christianity a tolerated religion Lived during early 4 th century when Constantine made Christianity a tolerated religion Christianity and the Roman empire became linked Christianity and the Roman empire became linked Eusebius’ history illustrated that Christianity had become the dominant factor in historiography Eusebius’ history illustrated that Christianity had become the dominant factor in historiography

The context Late 3 rd early 4 th 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. Late 3 rd early 4 th 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) 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 Values important to Romans of Republic and early Imperial period less important to the majority

Eusebius’ Works Works: Wrote 46 works including: The Chronicles; Ecclesiastical History; Life of Constantine Works: Wrote 46 works including: The Chronicles; Ecclesiastical History; Life of Constantine The Chronicle (chronica)– based on Africanus; christianity dominant in this work; The Chronicle (chronica)– based on Africanus; christianity dominant in this work; core of work was chronological canons; material borrowed from Hellenistic writers; core of work was chronological canons; material borrowed from Hellenistic writers; Roman and Near Eastern World merge into one chronological framework 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 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 Bible is used as historical document

Eusebius’ works Work: Ecclesiastical History (a history of the Church) 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 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

Eusebius Life of Constantine Life of Constantine Constantine is depicted as a man who received sign from God and acted on a vision; reigned with divine protection 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 More in nature a hagiography than biography Hagiography = biography in praise of someone; seriously biased Hagiography = biography in praise of someone; seriously biased