Preface.

 Prolegomena.

 The Life of Eusebius.

 Chapter I

 §2.  Eusebius’ Birth and Training. His Life in Cæsarea until the Outbreak of the Persecution. 

 §3.  The Persecution of Diocletian. 

 §4.  Eusebius’ Accession to the Bishopric of Cæsarea. 

 §5.  The Outbreak of the Arian Controversy. The Attitude of Eusebius  .

 §6.  The Council of Nicæa  .

 §7.  Continuance of the Arian Controversy. Eusebius’ Relations to the Two Parties. 

 §8.  Eusebius and Marcellus  .

 §9.  The Death of Eusebius. 

 The Writings of Eusebius.

 Chapter II

 §2.  Catalogue of his Works  .

 Eusebius' Church History.

 Chapter III

 §2.  The Author’s Design  .

 §3.  Eusebius as a Historian. The Merits and Defects of his History  .

 §4.  Editions and Versions  .

 §5.  Literature  .

  Testimonies of the Ancients in Favor of Eusebius. 

 Testimonies of the Ancients Against Eusebius.

 Book I

 The Church History of Eusebius.

 Chapter II.—  Summary View of the Pre-existence and Divinity of Our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ. 

 Chapter III.—  The Name Jesus and also the Name Christ were known from the Beginning, and were honored by the Inspired Prophets. 

 Chapter IV.—  The Religion Proclaimed by Him to All Nations Was Neither New Nor Strange. 

 Chapter V.—  The Time of his Appearance among Men. 

 Chapter VI.—  About the Time of Christ, in accordance with Prophecy, the Rulers who had governed the Jewish Nation in Regular Succession from the Days

 Chapter VII.—  The Alleged Discrepancy in the Gospels in regard to the Genealogy of Christ. 

 Chapter VIII.—  The Cruelty of Herod toward the Infants, and the Manner of his Death. 

 Chapter IX.—  The Times of Pilate. 

 Chapter X.—  The High Priests of the Jews under whom Christ taught. 

 Chapter XI.—  Testimonies in Regard to John the Baptist and Christ. 

 Chapter XII.—  The Disciples of our Saviour. 

 Chapter XIII.—  Narrative concerning the Prince of the Edessenes. 

 Book II

 Book II.

 Chapter I.—  The Course pursued by the Apostles after the Ascension of Christ. 

 Chapter II.—  How Tiberius was affected when informed by Pilate concerning Christ. 

 Chapter III.—  The Doctrine of Christ soon spread throughout All the World. 

 Chapter IV.—  After the Death of Tiberius, Caius appointed Agrippa King of the Jews, having punished Herod with Perpetual Exile. 

 Chapter V.—  Philo’s Embassy to Caius in Behalf of the Jews. 

 Chapter VI.—  The Misfortunes which overwhelmed the Jews after their Presumption against Christ. 

 Chapter VII.—  Pilate’s Suicide. 

 Chapter VIII.—  The Famine which took Place in the Reign of Claudius. 

 Chapter IX.—  The Martyrdom of James the Apostle. 

 Chapter X.—  Agrippa, who was also called Herod, having persecuted the Apostles, immediately experienced the Divine Vengeance. 

 Chapter XI.—  The Impostor Theudas and his Followers. 

 Chapter XII.—  Helen, the Queen of the Osrhœnians. 

 Chapter XIII.—  Simon Magus. 

 Chapter XIV.—  The Preaching of the Apostle Peter in Rome. 

 Chapter XV.—  The Gospel according to Mark. 

 Chapter XVI.—  Mark first proclaimed Christianity to the Inhabitants of Egypt. 

 Chapter XVII.—  Philo’s Account of the Ascetics of Egypt. 

 Chapter XVIII.—  The Works of Philo   that have come down to us. 

 Chapter XIX.—  The Calamity which befell the Jews in Jerusalem on the Day of the Passover. 

 Chapter XX.—  The Events which took Place in Jerusalem during the Reign of Nero. 

 Chapter XXI.—  The Egyptian, who is mentioned also in the Acts of the Apostles. 

 Chapter XXII.—  Paul having been sent bound from Judea to Rome, made his Defense, and was acquitted of every Charge. 

 Chapter XXIII.—  The Martyrdom of James, who was called the Brother of the Lord. 

 Chapter XXIV.—  Annianus the First Bishop of the Church of Alexandria after Mark. 

 Chapter XXV.—  The Persecution under Nero in which Paul and Peter were honored at Rome with Martyrdom in Behalf of Religion. 

 Chapter XXVI.—  The Jews, afflicted with Innumerable Evils, commenced the Last War Against the Romans. 

 Book III

 Book III.

 Chapter II.—  The First Ruler of the Church of Rome. 

 Chapter III.—  The Epistles of the Apostles. 

 Chapter IV.—  The First Successors of the Apostles. 

 Chapter V.—  The Last Siege of the Jews after Christ. 

 Chapter VI.—  The Famine which oppressed them. 

 Chapter VII.—  The Predictions of Christ. 

 Chapter VIII.—  The Signs which preceded the War. 

 Chapter IX.—  Josephus and the Works which he has left. 

 Chapter X.—  The Manner in which Josephus mentions the Divine Books. 

 Chapter XI.—  Symeon rules the Church of Jerusalem after James. 

 Chapter XII.—  Vespasian commands the Descendants of David to be sought. 

 Chapter XIII.—  Anencletus, the Second Bishop of Rome. 

 Chapter XIV.—  Abilius, the Second Bishop of Alexandria. 

 Chapter XV.—  Clement, the Third Bishop of Rome. 

 Chapter XVI.—  The Epistle of Clement. 

 Chapter XVII.—  The Persecution under Domitian. 

 Chapter XVIII.—  The Apostle John and the Apocalypse. 

 Chapter XIX.—  Domitian commands the Descendants of David to be slain. 

 Chapter XX.—  The Relatives of our Saviour. 

 Chapter XXI.—  Cerdon becomes the Third Ruler of the Church of Alexandria. 

 Chapter XXII.—  Ignatius, the Second Bishop of Antioch. 

 Chapter XXIII.—  Narrative Concerning John the Apostle. 

 Chapter XXIV.—  The Order of the Gospels. 

 Chapter XXV.—  The Divine Scriptures that are accepted and those that are not. 

 Chapter XXVI.—  Menander the Sorcerer. 

 Chapter XXVII.—  The Heresy of the Ebionites. 

 Chapter XXVIII.—  Cerinthus the Heresiarch. 

 Chapter XXIX.—  Nicolaus and the Sect named after him. 

 Chapter XXX.—  The Apostles that were Married. 

 Chapter XXXI.—  The Death of John and Philip. 

 Chapter XXXII.—  Symeon, Bishop of Jerusalem, suffers Martyrdom. 

 Chapter XXXIII.—  Trajan forbids the Christians to be sought after. 

 Chapter XXXIV.—  Evarestus, the Fourth Bishop of the Church of Rome. 

 Chapter XXXV.—  Justus, the Third Bishop of Jerusalem. 

 Chapter XXXVI.—  Ignatius and His Epistles. 

 Chapter XXXVII.—  The Evangelists that were still Eminent at that Time. 

 Chapter XXXVIII.—  The Epistle of Clement and the Writings falsely ascribed to him. 

 Chapter XXXIX.—  The Writings of Papias. 

 Book IV

 Book IV.

 Chapter II.—  The Calamities of the Jews during Trajan’s Reign. 

 Chapter III.—  The Apologists that wrote in Defense of the Faith during the Reign of Adrian. 

 Chapter IV.—  The Bishops of Rome and of Alexandria under the Same Emperor  .

 Chapter V.—  The Bishops of Jerusalem from the Age of our Saviour to the Period under Consideration 

 Chapter VI.—  The Last Siege of the Jews under Adrian  .

 Chapter VII.—  The Persons that became at that Time Leaders of Knowledge falsely so-called  .

 Chapter VIII.—  Ecclesiastical Writers  .

 Chapter IX.—  The Epistle of Adrian, decreeing that we should not be punished without a Trial  .

 Chapter X.—  The Bishops of Rome and of Alexandria during the Reign of Antoninus  .

 Chapter XI.—  The Heresiarchs of that Age  .

 Chapter XII.—  The Apology of Justin addressed to Antoninus. 

 ChapterXIII.—  The Epistle of Antoninus to the Common Assembly of Asia in Regard to our Doctrine  .

 Chapter XIV.—  The Circumstances related of Polycarp, a Friend of the Apostles  .

 Chapter XV.—  Under Verus,   Polycarp with Others suffered Martyrdom at Smyrna 

 Chapter XVI.—  Justin the Philosopher preaches the Word of Christ in Rome and suffers Martyrdom. 

 Chapter XVII.—  The Martyrs whom Justin mentions in his Own Work. 

 Chapter XVIII.—  The Works of Justin which have come down to us. 

 Chapter XIX.—  The Rulers of the Churches of Rome and Alexandria during the Reign of Verus. 

 Chapter XX.—  The Rulers of the Church of Antioch. 

 Chapter XXI.—  The Ecclesiastical Writers that flourished in Those Days. 

 Chapter XXII.—  Hegesippus and the Events which he mentions. 

 Chapter XXIII.—  Dionysius, Bishop of Corinth, and the Epistles which he wrote. 

 Chapter XXIV.—  Theophilus Bishop of Antioch. 

 Chapter XXV.—  Philip and Modestus. 

 Chapter XXVI.—  Melito and the Circumstances which he records. 

 Chapter XXVII.—  Apolinarius, Bishop of the Church of Hierapolis. 

 Chapter XXVIII.—  Musanus and His Writings. 

 Chapter XXIX.—  The Heresy of Tatian. 

 Chapter XXX.—  Bardesanes the Syrian and his Extant Works. 

 Book V

 Book V.

 Chapter I.—  The Number of those who fought for Religion in Gaul Under Verus and the Nature of their Conflicts. 

 Chapter II.—  The Martyrs, beloved of God, kindly ministered unto those who fell in the Persecution. 

 Chapter III.—  The Vision which appeared in a Dream to the Witness Attalus. 

 Chapter IV.—  Irenæus commended by the Witnesses in a Letter. 

 Chapter V.—  God sent Rain from Heaven for Marcus Aurelius Cæsar in Answer to the Prayers of our People. 

 Chapter VI.—  Catalogue of the Bishops of Rome. 

 Chapter VII.—  Even down to those Times Miracles were performed by the Faithful. 

 Chapter VIII.—  The Statements of Irenæus in regard to the Divine Scriptures. 

 Chapter IX.—  The Bishops under Commodus. 

 Chapter X.—  Pantænus the Philosopher. 

 Chapter XI.—  Clement of Alexandria. 

 Chapter XII.—  The Bishops in Jerusalem. 

 Chapter XIII.—  Rhodo and his Account of the Dissension of Marcion. 

 Chapter XIV.—  The False Prophets of the Phrygians. 

 Chapter XV.—  The Schism of Blastus at Rome. 

 Chapter XVI.—  The Circumstances related of Montanus and his False Prophets. 

 Chapter XVII.—  Miltiades and His Works. 

 Chapter XVIII.—  The Manner in which Apollonius refuted the Phrygians, and the Persons   whom he Mentions. 

 Chapter XIX.—  Serapion on the Heresy of the Phrygians. 

 Chapter XX.—  The Writings of Irenæus against the Schismatics at Rome. 

 Chapter XXI.—  How Appolonius suffered Martyrdom at Rome. 

 Chapter XXII.—  The Bishops that were well known at this Time. 

 Chapter XXIII.—  The Question then agitated concerning the Passover. 

 Chapter XXIV.—  The Disagreement in Asia. 

 Chapter XXV.—  How All came to an Agreement respecting the Passover. 

 Chapter XXVI.—  The Elegant Works of Irenæus which have come down to us. 

 Chapter XXVII.—  The Works of Others that flourished at that Time. 

 Chapter XXVIII.—  Those who first advanced the Heresy of Artemon their Manner of Life, and how they dared to corrupt the Sacred Scriptures. 

 Book VI

 Book VI.

 Chapter II.—  The Training of Origen from Childhood. 

 Chapter III.—  While still very Young, he taught diligently the Word of Christ. 

 Chapter IV.—  The pupils of Origen that became Martyrs. 

 Chapter V.—  Potamiæna. 

 Chapter VI.—  Clement of Alexandria. 

 Chapter VII.—  The Writer, Judas. 

 Chapter VIII.—  Origen’s Daring Deed. 

 Chapter IX.—  The Miracles of Narcissus. 

 Chapter X.—  The Bishops of Jerusalem. 

 Chapter XI.—  Alexander. 

 Chapter XII.—  Serapion and his Extant Works. 

 Chapter XIII.—  The Writings of Clement. 

 Chapter XIV.—  The Scriptures mentioned by Him. 

 Chapter XV.—  Heraclas. 

 Chapter XVI.—  Origen’s Earnest Study of the Divine Scriptures. 

 Chapter XVII.—  The Translator Symmachus. 

 Chapter XVIII.—  Ambrose. 

 Chapter XIX.—  Circumstances Related of Origen. 

 Chapter XX.—  The Extant Works of the Writers of that Age. 

 Chapter XXI.—  The Bishops that were well known at that Time. 

 Chapter XXII.—  The Works of Hippolytus which have reached us. 

 Chapter XXIII.—  Origen’s Zeal and his Elevation to the Presbyterate. 

 Chapter XXIV.—  The Commentaries which he prepared at Alexandria. 

 Chapter XXV.—  His Review of the Canonical Scriptures. 

 Chapter XXVI.—  Heraclas becomes Bishop of Alexandria. 

 Chapter XXVII.—  How the Bishops regarded Origen. 

 Chapter XXVIII.—  The Persecution under Maximinus. 

 Chapter XXIX.—  Fabianus, who was wonderfully designated Bishop of Rome by God. 

 Chapter XXX.—  The Pupils of Origen. 

 Chapter XXXI.—  Africanus. 

 Chapter XXXII.—  The Commentaries which Origen composed in Cæsarea in Palestine. 

 Chapter XXXIII.—  The Error of Beryllus. 

 Chapter XXXIV.—  Philip Cæsar. 

 Chapter XXXV.—  Dionysius succeeds Heraclas in the Episcopate. 

 Chapter XXXVI.—  Other Works of Origen. 

 Chapter XXXVII.—  The Dissension of the Arabians. 

 Chapter XXXVIII.—  The Heresy of the Elkesites. 

 Chapter XXXIX.—  The Persecution under Decius, and the Sufferings of Origen. 

 Chapter XL.—  The Events which happened to Dionysius. 

 Chapter XLI.—  The Martyrs in Alexandria. 

 Chapter XLII.—  Others of whom Dionysius gives an Account. 

 Chapter XLIII.—  Novatus,   his Manner of Life and his Heresy. 

 Chapter XLIV.—  Dionysius’ Account of Serapion. 

 Chapter XLV.—  An Epistle of Dionysius to Novatus. 

 Chapter XLVI.—  Other Epistles of Dionysius. 

 Book VII

 Book VII.

 Chapter I.—  The Wickedness of Decius and Gallus. 

 Chapter II.—  The Bishops of Rome in those Times. 

 Chapter III.—  Cyprian, and the Bishops with him, first taught that it was necessary to purify by Baptism those converted from Heresy. 

 Chapter IV.—  The Epistles which Dionysius wrote on this Subject. 

 Chapter V.—  The Peace following the Persecution. 

 Chapter VI.—  The Heresy of Sabellius. 

 Chapter VII.—  The Abominable Error of the Heretics the Divine Vision of Dionysius and the Ecclesiastical Canon which he received. 

 Chapter VIII.—  The Heterodoxy of Novatus. 

 Chapter IX.—  The Ungodly Baptism of the Heretics. 

 Chapter X.—  Valerian and the Persecution under him. 

 Chapter XI.—  The Events which happened at this Time to Dionysius and those in Egypt. 

 Chapter XII.—  The Martyrs in Cæsarea in Palestine. 

 Chapter XIII.—  The Peace under Gallienus. 

 Chapter XIV.—  The Bishops that flourished at that Time. 

 Chapter XV.—  The Martyrdom of Marinus at Cæsarea. 

 Chapter XVI.—  Story in Regard to Astyrius. 

 Chapter XVII.—  The Signs at Paneas of the Great Might of our Saviour. 

 Chapter XVIII.—  The Statue which the Woman with an Issue of Blood erected. 

 Chapter XIX.—  The Episcopal Chair of James. 

 Chapter XX.—  The Festal Epistles of Dionysius, in which he also gives a Paschal Canon. 

 Chapter XXI.—  The Occurrences at Alexandria. 

 Chapter XXII.—  The Pestilence which came upon them. 

 Chapter XXIII.—  The Reign of Gallienus. 

 Chapter XXIV.—  Nepos and his Schism. 

 Chapter XXV.—  The Apocalypse of John. 

 Chapter XXVI.—  The Epistles of Dionysius. 

 Chapter XXVII.—  Paul of Samosata, and the Heresy introduced by him at Antioch. 

 Chapter XXVIII.—  The Illustrious Bishops of that Time. 

 Chapter XXIX.—  Paul, having been refuted by Malchion, a Presbyter from the Sophists, was excommunicated. 

 Chapter XXX.—  The Epistle of the Bishops against Paul. 

 Chapter XXXI.—  The Perversive Heresy of the Manicheans which began at this Time. 

 Chapter XXXII.—  The Distinguished Ecclesiastics   of our Day, and which of them survived until the Destruction of the Churches. 

 Book VIII

 Book VIII.

 Chapter I.—  The Events which preceded the Persecution in our Times. 

 Chapter II.—  The Destruction of the Churches. 

 Chapter III.—  The Nature of the Conflicts endured in the Persecution. 

 Chapter IV.—  The Famous Martyrs of God, who filled Every Place with their Memory and won Various Crowns in behalf of Religion. 

 Chapter V.—  Those in Nicomedia. 

 Chapter VI.—  Those in the Palace. 

 Chapter VII.—  The Egyptians in Phœnicia. 

 Chapter VIII.—  Those in Egypt  .

 Chapter IX.—  Those in Thebais. 

 Chapter X.—  The Writings of Phileas the Martyr describing the Occurrences at Alexandria. 

 Chapter XI.—  Those in Phrygia. 

 Chapter XII.—  Many Others, both Men and Women, who suffered in Various Ways. 

 Chapter XIII.—  The Bishops of the Church that evinced by their Blood the Genuineness of the Religion which they preached. 

 Chapter XIV.—  The Character of the Enemies of Religion. 

 Chapter XV.—  The Events which happened to the Heathen. 

 Chapter XVI.—  The Change of Affairs for the Better. 

 Chapter XVII.—  The Revocation of the Rulers. 

 Martyrs of Palestine.

 Martyrs of Palestine.

 Chapter I.

 Chapter II.

 Chapter III.

 Chapter IV.

 Chapter V.

 Chapter VI.

 Chapter VII.

 Chapter VIII.

 Chapter IX.

 Chapter X.

 Chapter XI.

 Chapter XII.

 Chapter XIII.

 Book IX

 Book IX.

 Chapter II.—  The Subsequent Reverse. 

 Chapter III.—  The Newly Erected Statue at Antioch. 

 Chapter IV.—  The Memorials against us. 

 Chapter V.—  The Forged Acts. 

 Chapter VI.—  Those who suffered Martyrdom at this Time. 

 Chapter VII.—  The Decree against us which was engraved on Pillars. 

 Chapter VIII.—  The Misfortunes which happened in Connection with these Things, in Famine, Pestilence, and War. 

 Chapter IX.—  The Victory of the God-Beloved Emperors. 

 Chapter X.—  The Overthrow of the Tyrants and the Words which they uttered before their Death. 

 Chapter XI.—  The Final Destruction of the Enemies of Religion. 

 Book X

 Book X.

 Chapter II.—  The Restoration of the Churches. 

 Chapter III.—  The Dedications in Every Place. 

 Chapter IV.—  Panegyric on the Splendor of Affairs. 

 Chapter V.—  Copies of Imperial Laws. 

  Chapter VI.   —   Copy of an Imperial Epistle in which Money is granted to the Churches. 

 Chapter VII.—  The Exemption of the Clergy. 

 Chapter VIII.—  The Subsequent Wickedness of Licinius, and his Death. 

 Chapter IX.—  The Victory of Constantine, and the Blessings which under him accrued to the Subjects of the Roman Empire. 

 Supplementary Notes and Tables.

 On Bk. III. chap. 3, § 5 (note 17, continued).

 On Bk. III. chap. 3, § 6 (note 22, continued).

 On Bk. III. chap. 24, § 17 (note 18 continued).

 On Bk. III. chap. 25, § 4 (note 18 continued).

 On Bk. III. chap. 28, § 1.

 On Bk. III. chap. 32, § 6 (note 14  a  ).

 On Bk. III. chap. 36 § 13.

 On Bk. III. chap. 39, § 1 (note 1, continued).

 On Bk. III. chap. 39, § 6.

 On Bk. III. chap. 39, § 16.

 On Bk. IV. chap. 10.

 On Bk. IV. chap. 18, § 2.

 On Bk. V. Introd. § I (note 3, continued).  The Successors of Antoninus Pius  .

 On Bk. V. chap. 1, § 27 (note 26, continued).

 On Bk. VI. chap. 2 (note 1, continued).  Origen’s Life and Writings  .

 On Bk. VI. chap. 8, § 5 (note 4).  Origen and Demetrius  .

 On Bk. VI. chap. 12, § 6.

 On Bk. VI. chap. 23, § 4 (note 6).  Origen’s Visit to Achaia  .

 On Bk. VII. chap. 25, § 11.

 On Bk. VII. chap. 26, § 1 (note 4, continued).

 On Bk. VIII. chap. 2, § 4 (note 3, continued).  The Causes of the Diocletian Persecution  .

 On Bk. X. chap. 8, § 4 (note I, a).

 Table of Roman Emperors.

 The Bishops of Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem, mentioned by Eusebius.

  Bishops of Alexandria. 

  Bishops of Antioch. 

  Bishops of Jerusalem. 

 Table showing the Roman Method of counting the Days of the Month.

 Table of Macedonian Months

Chapter XXIX.—  Fabianus, who was wonderfully designated Bishop of Rome by God. 

1. Gordianus succeeded Maximinus as Roman emperor;  245  Gordianus the younger, grandson of Gordianus I., and nephew (or son?) of Gordianus II., became emperor after the murder of Balbinus and Pupienus, in July, 238, at the age of fifteen years, and reigned until early in the year 244, when he was murdered by the soldiers and succeeded by Philip. He is made by Eusebius (both here and in the Chron.) the direct successor of Maximinus, simply because only two or three months elapsed between the death of the latter and his own accession. and Pontianus,  246  On Pontianus, see chap. 23, note 3. who had been bishop of the church at Rome for six years, was succeeded by Anteros.  247  Both here and in the Chron. the accession of Anteros is synchronized with the accession of Gordianus, but as seen in chap. 23, note 3, Pontianus was succeeded by Anteros in the first year of Maximinus, i.e. in 235,—three years earlier, therefore, than the date given by Eusebius. All the authorities agree in assigning only one month and a few days to the episcopate of Anteros, and this is to be accepted as correct. Of the life and character of Anteros we know nothing. After he had held the office for a month, Fabianus  248  Greek Φαβιανός, though some mss. read Φλαβιανός. The Armenian and Hieronymian Chron. call him Fabianus; the Liberian catalogue, Fabius; Eutychius and the Alex. cat., Flabianus. According to chap. 39, he suffered martyrdom in the persecution of Decius (250–251). Both versions of the Chron. assign thirteen years to his episcopate, and this agrees fairly well with the notices here and in chap. 39 (accession in 238 and death in 250 or 251). But, as already seen, Eusebius is quite wrong in the dates which he gives for the accession of these three bishops, and the statements of the Liberian catalogue are to be accepted, which put Fabian’s accession in January, 236, and his death in January, 250, after an episcopate of fourteen years and ten days. The martyrdom of Fabian rests upon good authority (cf. chap. 39, and Jerome’s de vir. ill. chap. 54, and especially Cyprian’s Epistles, 3, al. 9, and 30). From these epistles we learn that he was a man of ability and virtue. He stands out more clearly in the light of history than most of the early Roman bishops, but tradition has handed down a great many unfounded stories in regard to him (see the article in the Dict. of Christ. Biog.). succeeded him.

2. They say  249  φασί. Eusebius is our only authority for the following story. Rufinus (VI. 21) tells a similar tale in connection with Zephyrinus. that Fabianus having come, after the death of Anteros, with others from the country, was staying at Rome, and that while there he was chosen to the office through a most wonderful manifestation of divine and heavenly grace.

3. For when all the brethren had assembled to select by vote him who should succeed to the episcopate of the church, several renowned and honorable men were in the minds of many, but Fabianus, although present, was in the mind of none. But they relate that suddenly a dove flying down lighted on his head, resembling the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Saviour in the form of a dove.

4. Thereupon all the people, as if moved by one Divine Spirit, with all eagerness and unanimity cried out that he was worthy, and without delay they took him and placed him upon the episcopal seat.  250  τὸν θρόνον τῆς ἐπισκοπῆς

5. About that time Zebinus,  251  On Zebinus, see chap. 23, note 4. bishop of Antioch died, and Babylas  252  Babylas occupies an illustrious place in the list of ancient martyrs (cf. Tillemont, Mem. III. 400–409). Chrysostom devoted a festal oration to his memory (In sanctum Babylam contra Julianum et contra Gentiles); while Jerome, Epiphanius, Sozomen, Theodoret, and others make honorable mention of him. There are extant the Acta Babylæ (spurious), which, however, confound him with a martyr who suffered under Numerian. The legends in regard to Babylas and to the miracles performed by his bones are very numerous (see Tillemont, l.c.). He is identified by Chrysostom and others with the bishop mentioned by Eusebius in chap. 34, and there is no good reason to doubt the identification (see Harnack, Zeit des Ignatius, p. 48). The fact of his martyrdom under Decius (see chap. 39) is too well attested to admit of doubt; though upon the manner of it, not all the traditions are agreed, Eusebius reporting that he died in prison, Chrysostom that he died by violence. The account of Eusebius seems the most reliable. The date of his accession is unknown, but there is no reason to doubt that it took place during the reign of Gordian (238–244), as Eusebius here seems to imply; though it is true that he connects it closely with the death of Demetrius, which certainly took place not later than 232 (see above, Bk. V. chap. 22, note 4). There is no warrant for carrying the accession of Babylas back so far as that. succeeded him. And in Alexandria Heraclas,  253  On Heraclas, see chap. 3, note 2. having received the episcopal office after Demetrius,  254  On the episcopate of Demetrius, see Bk. V. chap. 22, note 4. was succeeded in the charge of the catechetical school by Dionysius,  255  On Dionysius, see chap. 40, note 1. who had also been one of Origen’s pupils.

245 Gordianus the younger, grandson of Gordianus I., and nephew (or son?) of Gordianus II., became emperor after the murder of Balbinus and Pupienus, in July, 238, at the age of fifteen years, and reigned until early in the year 244, when he was murdered by the soldiers and succeeded by Philip. He is made by Eusebius (both here and in the Chron.) the direct successor of Maximinus, simply because only two or three months elapsed between the death of the latter and his own accession.
246 On Pontianus, see chap. 23, note 3.
247 Both here and in the Chron. the accession of Anteros is synchronized with the accession of Gordianus, but as seen in chap. 23, note 3, Pontianus was succeeded by Anteros in the first year of Maximinus, i.e. in 235,—three years earlier, therefore, than the date given by Eusebius. All the authorities agree in assigning only one month and a few days to the episcopate of Anteros, and this is to be accepted as correct. Of the life and character of Anteros we know nothing.
248 Greek Φαβιανός, though some mss. read Φλαβιανός. The Armenian and Hieronymian Chron. call him Fabianus; the Liberian catalogue, Fabius; Eutychius and the Alex. cat., Flabianus. According to chap. 39, he suffered martyrdom in the persecution of Decius (250–251). Both versions of the Chron. assign thirteen years to his episcopate, and this agrees fairly well with the notices here and in chap. 39 (accession in 238 and death in 250 or 251). But, as already seen, Eusebius is quite wrong in the dates which he gives for the accession of these three bishops, and the statements of the Liberian catalogue are to be accepted, which put Fabian’s accession in January, 236, and his death in January, 250, after an episcopate of fourteen years and ten days. The martyrdom of Fabian rests upon good authority (cf. chap. 39, and Jerome’s de vir. ill. chap. 54, and especially Cyprian’s Epistles, 3, al. 9, and 30). From these epistles we learn that he was a man of ability and virtue. He stands out more clearly in the light of history than most of the early Roman bishops, but tradition has handed down a great many unfounded stories in regard to him (see the article in the Dict. of Christ. Biog.).
249 φασί. Eusebius is our only authority for the following story. Rufinus (VI. 21) tells a similar tale in connection with Zephyrinus.
250 τὸν θρόνον τῆς ἐπισκοπῆς
251 On Zebinus, see chap. 23, note 4.
252 Babylas occupies an illustrious place in the list of ancient martyrs (cf. Tillemont, Mem. III. 400–409). Chrysostom devoted a festal oration to his memory (In sanctum Babylam contra Julianum et contra Gentiles); while Jerome, Epiphanius, Sozomen, Theodoret, and others make honorable mention of him. There are extant the Acta Babylæ (spurious), which, however, confound him with a martyr who suffered under Numerian. The legends in regard to Babylas and to the miracles performed by his bones are very numerous (see Tillemont, l.c.). He is identified by Chrysostom and others with the bishop mentioned by Eusebius in chap. 34, and there is no good reason to doubt the identification (see Harnack, Zeit des Ignatius, p. 48). The fact of his martyrdom under Decius (see chap. 39) is too well attested to admit of doubt; though upon the manner of it, not all the traditions are agreed, Eusebius reporting that he died in prison, Chrysostom that he died by violence. The account of Eusebius seems the most reliable. The date of his accession is unknown, but there is no reason to doubt that it took place during the reign of Gordian (238–244), as Eusebius here seems to imply; though it is true that he connects it closely with the death of Demetrius, which certainly took place not later than 232 (see above, Bk. V. chap. 22, note 4). There is no warrant for carrying the accession of Babylas back so far as that.
253 On Heraclas, see chap. 3, note 2.
254 On the episcopate of Demetrius, see Bk. V. chap. 22, note 4.
255 On Dionysius, see chap. 40, note 1.