Eusebius: Ecclesiastical History, Books I–X

NPNF historical edition · Translated text

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

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

After Vespasian had reigned ten years Titus, his son, succeeded him. ^{Edition note 1} In the second year of his reign, Linus, who had been bishop of the church of Rome for twelve years, ^{Edition note 2} delivered his office to Anencletus. ^{Edition note 3} But Titus was succeeded by his brother Domitian after he had reigned two years and the same number of months. ^{Edition note 4}

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Edition notes

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Edition note 1

Vespasian reigned from July 1 (if his reign be dated from the time he was proclaimed emperor in Egypt; if from the death of Vitellius, Dec. 20), 69, to June 24, 79 a.d.

Open note in the edition commentary

Edition note 2

In his Chron. (Armenian) Eusebius gives the length of Linus’ episcopate as fourteen years, while Jerome gives it as eleven years. Both figures are about equally reliable; see above, chap. 2, note 1.

Open note in the edition commentary

Edition note 3

Of Anencletus, or Cletus, as he is also called, we know nothing more than that he was one of the traditional first three bishops of Rome. Hippolytus makes two bishops, Anencletus and Cletus, out of the one man, and he is followed by the Roman Catholic Church (see above, chap. 2, note 1). According to chap. 15, Anencletus held office twelve years.

Open note in the edition commentary

Edition note 4

Titus died Dec. 13, a.d. 81. He therefore reigned two years and six months, instead of two years and two months as Eusebius states.

Open note in the edition commentary