592J. Eusebius of Cæsarea (275-339)

The Avncient Ecclesiasticall Histories of the First Six Hvndred Yeares After Christ, written in the Greeke tongue by three learned Historiographers, Eusebius, Socrates, and Euagrius. Evsebivs Pamphilvs Bishop of Cæsarea in Palæstina uurote 10. bookes. Socrates Scholasticvs of Constantinople uurote 7. bookes. Evagrivs Scholasticvs of Antioch uurote 6. bookes. VVhereunto is annexed Dorothevs Bishop of Tyrus, of the liues and endes of the Prophetes, Apostles and 70. disciples. All which authors are faithfully translated out of the Greeke tongue and now perused and corrected by Meredith Hanmer, Doctor of Diuintie. Last of all herein is contained a briefe Chronographie collected by the said Translator, with a copius Index of the Principall matters throughout all the Histories.

London : Printed by Richard Field, dwelling in the Blackfriers, 1607.   Price  $2,400

Page from 'The Ancient Ecclesiastical Histories of the First Six Hundred Years After Christ', featuring the title and author list, printed in London in 1607.

Folio 27 x 18 cm. Signatures: ¶⁶ A-2I⁶ 2K-2M⁴ 2N-3E⁶ 3F⁴. Bound in age-appropriate modern full calf with spine label. 

“In his Church History, Eusebius attempted according to his own declaration to present the history of the Church from the apostles to his own time, with special regard to the following points: (1) the successions of bishops in the principal sees; (2) the history of Christian teachers; (3) the history of heresies; (4) the history of the Jews; (5) the relations to the heathen; (6) the martyrdoms. He grouped his material according to the reigns of the emperors, presenting it a she found it in his sources. The contents are as follows: After a detailed introduction, which treats of Jesus Christ, comes the history of the apostolic time to Trajan; books iv. and v. treat of the second century; book vi. of the time from Severus to Decius; book vii. extends to the outbreak of the persecution under Diocletian; book viii. treats of this persecution; book ix. brings the history to the victory over Maxentius in the West and over Maximinus in the East; book x. relates the re-establishment of the churches and the rebellion and conquest of Licinius. In its present form the work was brought to a conclusion before the death of Crispus (July, 326), and, since book x. is dedicated to Paulinus of Tyre who died before 325, at the end of 323 or 324. 

Page from 'The Life of Eusebius Pamphilus, Out of Saint Jerome', featuring ornate lettering and text discussing Eusebius's contributions to Christian literature.

This work required the most comprehensive preparatory studies, and it must have occupied him for years. His collection of martyrdoms of the older period may have been one of these preparatory studies. The authenticity of Eusebius’ Church History is beyond dispute. Every new discovery shows anew the conscientious, careful and intelligent use of the libraries of Caesarea and Jerusalem.” (Schaff-Herzog)

STC (2nd ed.), 10574 

Open pages of an early printed book titled 'The Ecclesiastical Histories of Eusebius' featuring detailed text in an antique font.
A page from a historical text titled 'A Chronographie', featuring ornate decorations and a seal, printed in London by Richard Field in 1607.
A page from an ancient book featuring the title 'The Life of Eusebius Pamphilus' on the left and 'The First Booke of the Ecclesiastical Histories of Eusebius Pamphilus' on the right, both written in an ornate font. The pages are yellowed with age, displaying intricate decorations and text presented in columns.

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