Eusebius: Ecclesiastical History, Books I–X

NPNF historical edition · Translated text

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

Read in this edition: source locators and uncertainty marks are retained. Square brackets can mark gaps or editorial interventions; headings and supplied subtitles belong to the edition. Coverage and cautions

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

1. At that time also in the church of Antioch, Theophilus ^[1] was well known as the sixth from the apostles. For Cornelius, ^[2] who succeeded Hero, ^[3] was the fourth, and after him Eros, ^[4] the fifth in order, had held the office of bishop.

Edition notes

These belong to the translator or historical editor, not to the ancient author.

Edition note 1

On Theophilus and his writings, see chap. 24.

Open note in the edition commentary

Edition note 2

Of the life and character of Cornelius and Eros we know nothing. The Chron. of Eusebius puts the accession of Cornelius into the twelfth year of Trajan (128 a.d. ), and the accession of his successor Eros into the fifth year of Antoninus Pius (142). These dates, however, are quite unreliable, and we have no means of correcting them (see Harnack’s Zeit des Ignatius, p. 12 sqq.). Theophilus, the successor of Eros we have reason to think became bishop about the middle of Marcus Aurelius’ reign and hence the Chron., which puts his accession into the ninth year of that reign, (169 a.d. ) cannot be far out of the way. This gives us the approximate date for the death of Eros.

Open note in the edition commentary

Edition note 3

On Hero, see above, Bk. III. chap. 36, note 23.

Open note in the edition commentary

Edition note 4

On Eros, see note 2.

Open note in the edition commentary