The History of the Church (The Church History of Eusebius)

This edition of The History of the Church contains all ten chronologically arranged books by Eusebius, which together outline the major events in the early history of the Christian church between the 1st and 4th centuries AD.

Ever since its publication in the 4th century, the Church History of Eusebius has enjoyed prominence as a much-cited sources on the subject. To this day it functions as a starting point for many historians, theologians, scholars and other interested readers wishing to research the ancient Christian church. Although many of the opinions Eusebius expressed are controversial - for example blaming the misfortunes of the Jewish peoples upon the death of Jesus - his work comprehensively chronicles the complex and storied events characterizing early Christendom.

Eusebius begins his book with a detailed recounting of the life and personality of Jesus Christ, the son of God. This is followed by the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman general and later Emperor, Titus. The progress of Christianity through the time of the Emperor Trajan, and thereafter through rulers such as Septimus and Decius is recorded.

The later books concern themselves with the persecution of early Christian believers, which was a frequent event during the rule of Diocletian. The profound effects this had upon the church's organisation and following is much detailed. Finally, the successful campaigns of the Emperor Constantine - who was the first Roman Emperor to be avowedly Christian - is covered, followed by the formal re-establishment of Christianity.

Living in the 4th century AD as one of the earliest bishops, Eusebius of Caesarea was in an authoritative position to record the principle history of the Christian church. He had at his disposal the sizable library of Caesarea, and had spent his life in the study of a multitude of texts. His reputation, as attested in various chronicles, was as one of the most learned scholars on matters of the Christian religion alive at the time.

Despite these appraisals, The Church History of Eusebius has had its accuracy called into question by subsequent historians and Christian figures. A common charge is that the book is more occupied with praising the Roman hegemony than strict accuracy. Modern historians of the 20th and 21st centuries meanwhile regard Eusebius as exclusionary to sources or opinions he deemed unfavorable or divergent with his own, personal point of view.

Eusebius, the Bishop of Caesarea in Roman Palestine, has well been called "The Father of Church History." As the first Christian historian, he recorded the colorful events and personalities that characterized Christianity in its crucial first three centuries from Christ to Constantine.