The Life of the Blessed Emperor Constantine

by Eusebius

Publisher:

Samuel Bagster and Sons

, 1845

Overview

This Greek panegyric was written in honor of Constantine the Great—the first Roman emperor to espouse Christianity—giving an account of his life, rule, and works. The Life of the Blessed Emperor Constantine was composed in the fourth century by a contemporary, Eusebius of Caesarea, who became known as he “Father of Church History.” His detailed, though generous, account provides one of the most comprehensive sources for learning about Constantine’s religious policies as emperor. The work also engages in apologetics and provides a bibliographic account of Constantine’s life. This work is also famous for its controversial account of Constantine’s vision of a floating cross with the inscription “Conquer by this.”

Key Features

• Offers one of the most comprehensive sources on Constantine’s religious policies
• Blends panegyric and bibliographic styles
• Includes author biography and an index

Contents

Top Highlights

“He said that about mid-day, when the sun was beginning to decline, he saw with his own eyes the trophy of a cross of light in the heavens, above the sun, and bearing the inscription, Conquer by this.” (Page 27)

“since the victorious emperor himself long afterwards declared it to the writer of this history” (Page 26)

Product Details

• Title: The Life of the Blessed Emperor Constantine
• Author: Eusebius
• Publisher: Samuel Bagster and Sons
• Publication Date: 1845
• Pages: 410

About Eusebius

Eusebius of Caesarea (c. AD 263–339) also called Eusebius Pamphili, was a Roman historian, exegete and Christian polemicist. He became the Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine about the year 314. Together with Pamphilus, he was a scholar of the Biblical canon. He wrote Demonstrations of the Gospel, Preparations for the Gospel, and On Discrepancies between the Gospels, studies of the Biblical text.