The History of the Church of Rome: To the End of the Episcopate of Damasus, A. D. 384 (Classic Reprint)

A clear, evidence-based account of Rome’s early church history up to the end of the fourth century.

This study collects and weighs historical documents to trace how the Roman church developed its authority and what claims survived, as well as where forgeries might have shaped the record. The author examines questions of authenticity and presents a measured view of competing sources.

This edition frames the scope and value of early Roman history for readers who want a careful, provocative look at the formation of church hierarchy. It focuses on contested texts, the role of Rome in early councils, and the struggle over authority that shaped later Christian doctrine.

• An overview of the period from the founding of Rome’s Christian tradition to the episcopate of Damasus in 384 A.D.
• A close look at the provenance and reliability of key documents attributed to early church figures.
• Discussion of the Sardican Council, Liberius’s letters, and related correspondence, with attention to forgery and misattribution.
• Guidance on how historians evaluate sources and reconstruct early church history with care.

Ideal for readers of church history, textual criticism, and the history of doctrine who seek a rigorous, sources-grounded portrait of Rome’s early centrality in the Christian world.